The Cinema Book 2nd Edition
Edited by Pam Cook and Mike Bernink
The musical has always been a mongrel genre. in varying measures and combinations, music, song and dance have been the only essential ingredients. In consequence its history, both on stage and screen has been marked by numerous traditions, forms and styles. These in turn have been been marked by numerous terms- 'Opereta', 'revue', 'musical comedy', 'musical drama', the back-stage musical' , the rock musical, 'the integrated musical and so on.
... Historians, critics and theorists of the musical sometimes disagree about the meaning of some of these terms. ... some invent their own. .. it is still possible to provide some basic definitions, to indicate areas of debate and disagreement, and in the process to highlight the extent to which the musical has always been, despite its accessible and effortless image, a multifaced, hybrid and complex (Collins)
Musical Drama:
- Many of these started off as Broadway musicals.
-Large emphasis on story line
-Mueller - talks about the relevance of the music in terms of whether they advance the plot or not.
-There has remained a constant commitment to comedy and the comic, to popular and vernacular styles of music, song and dance, and a willingness to sacrifice coherence or integration for the sake of either or both.
(more to add... )
More sources for reference that i copied down from the book:
Rick Altman, Genre:The Musical, London, RKP,1981
Rick Altman, The American Film Musical, Bloomington, Indiana University Press, 1987
Jim Collins, 'The Musical' in Wes D. Gehring, Handbook of American Film Genres, New York, Greenswood Press 1988.
Jane Fever, The Hollywood Musical, London, Macmillann 1982 and 1993
Martin Rubin, Showstoppers: Busby Berkeley and the Tradition of spectacle, New York, Columbia Univeristy Press, 1993.
John Mueller, Astaire Dancing: The Musical Films, New York, Knopf, 1985
Saturday, 24 November 2007
Tuesday, 20 November 2007
10 more pieces of online research
1) The problem of definition
- Links to my study as my main focus is genre. Provides information on the problems of defnining genre (with theorists).
2) The advantages of generic analysis
-Provides information of the advantages of generic analysis. states that genre analysis situates texts within textual and social contexts, underlining the social nature of the production and reading of texts.
3) Working within genres
-Robert Hodge and Gunther Kress define genres as 'typical forms of texts which link kinds of producer, consumer, topic, medium, manner and occasion', adding that they 'control the behaviour of producers of such texts, and the expectations of potential consumers. Links to Musicals as certain actors were immediately associated with musicals.
4)Generic textual features of film and television
-Provides information on the key textual features of genres in the context of film. e.g... the narrative, basic themes etc.. provides a framework of elements to compare in my study.
5)THE RISE OF THE FILM MUSICAL
-The above link is part of an essay into the rise of the musical. Provides information on the history of musicals as well as useful books for further research.
6)Genre theory links
- A list of articles, recommended readings and other articles which will all be of use as the provide information on genre which is what my study is about.
7)References and suggested reading
- More references and selected reading that i will look up when i have more time for research.
8)Musical Film info page
- A link providing useful information on the musical film genre and history on and off screen quoting influential movies.
9)Musicals - DECLINE AND CHANGE
- An essay on the decline and change of musical film. Is important as it provides social, historical and economic information that i can include in my study. Also provides more books for research.
10) Musicals finale article
-An article titled 'Musicals finale', provides useful information on musicals as well as some books and links for research.
- Links to my study as my main focus is genre. Provides information on the problems of defnining genre (with theorists).
2) The advantages of generic analysis
-Provides information of the advantages of generic analysis. states that genre analysis situates texts within textual and social contexts, underlining the social nature of the production and reading of texts.
3) Working within genres
-Robert Hodge and Gunther Kress define genres as 'typical forms of texts which link kinds of producer, consumer, topic, medium, manner and occasion', adding that they 'control the behaviour of producers of such texts, and the expectations of potential consumers. Links to Musicals as certain actors were immediately associated with musicals.
4)Generic textual features of film and television
-Provides information on the key textual features of genres in the context of film. e.g... the narrative, basic themes etc.. provides a framework of elements to compare in my study.
5)THE RISE OF THE FILM MUSICAL
-The above link is part of an essay into the rise of the musical. Provides information on the history of musicals as well as useful books for further research.
6)Genre theory links
- A list of articles, recommended readings and other articles which will all be of use as the provide information on genre which is what my study is about.
7)References and suggested reading
- More references and selected reading that i will look up when i have more time for research.
8)Musical Film info page
- A link providing useful information on the musical film genre and history on and off screen quoting influential movies.
9)Musicals - DECLINE AND CHANGE
- An essay on the decline and change of musical film. Is important as it provides social, historical and economic information that i can include in my study. Also provides more books for research.
10) Musicals finale article
-An article titled 'Musicals finale', provides useful information on musicals as well as some books and links for research.
10 key words again.
1) Mainstream: The uncontroversial, generally accepted attitudes, beliefs and values of the majority of the population. .
- Mainstream entertainment and media production tend to be family orientated and unchallanging in terms of representation and content,
-Mainstreamers are individuals who feel comfortable with the status quo and threatened by change.
Link to study? : 'HSM' complies and contrasts to the mainstream...
how it complies: is uncontroversial... Character Sharpay is slightly mainstreamist as she is threatened by the change that is occurring. i.e. her reign of playing lead musical roles being lost.
How it doesn't : Film challenges the status quo.
2) Metonym: Part of a representational image used to stand for a whole in such a way that the viewer is able to construct the rest of the story from the part give,
e.g a smiling policeman helping a child cross a busy road is a metonym for a caring community police force.
3) Motif: a recurrent theme or element that runs through a film and is repeated in a significant way, often expressing a key message.
4) Narrative theory: a type of thinking that seeks to explain narrative structures and their relationship to wider cultural and genre-related factors.
-Narrative theorists seek to deconstruct narratives in order to identify their common characteristics and component elements e,g Todorov and Levi- strauss
Link to study? : Theorists that are applicable to 'HSM'
5) Segmentation: the concentration by individual satellite and cable television channels on one area of viewing such as sport, film. history etc.
e.g cbeebies, Nick TV and THE DISNEY CHANNEL.
Link to study?: As stated about the Disney Channel (the institution behind 'HSM') is an example of such segmentation. (link to audience)
6) Todorov: GENRE THEORIST. Todorov's sequence is made up of propositions outlining a basic state of narration, which is disturbed and then re-established.
-Equilibrium...
-Disruption...
-recognition that the disruption has taken place...
-an attempt to repair the damage...
-a return to some kind of equilibrium.
Link to study: Todorovian structure is applicable to 'HSM' - Why is it used? - easily identifiable making the film straightforward making it appeal to the tweenage TA as its easier to understand.
Equilibrium: Start of school.
Disruption: Gabriella and Troy audition for musical.. Sharpay is jealous and stops gets the drama teacher to change the callback date. A further disruption occurs when Troy and Gabriella's friends hitch a plan to stop them both from performing together.
-recognition that the disruption has taken place: First disruption is recognized through the 'stick to the status quo' number. Second recognition is when the friends realize how unhappy their friends are..
-a return to some kind of equilibrium: Friends confess the truth of their plan and work with Troy and Gab to get into the callbacks. G and T win the places for the musical.
7) Telefilm: A feature-length film made for television.
Link to study: 'HSM' was a film originally made for the Disney channel (economic -low cost link). Third 'HSM' musical however will be shown in the cinema (again an economic link)
8) Youth culture: Any range of youth subcultures from the 1950s through to the present day including acpects of dress, behaviour, music preferance etc.
e.g Teddyboys(1950s)
Link to study?: youth culture has a key role in teen musicals. This is evident in Grease espicialy with J.Travolta and his gang as Teddyboys (iconic of the time) . Importance of youth culture in musicals? possibly as a way of identification.
9) Audience participation: The practice involving the audience to directly participate in the activities that form the basis of the program.
link to study? : Obvious link.. audience in musical films are invited to participate through sing alongs. This is also one of they key conventions of film musicals.
10) Binary opposition: term used by Strauss as part of his argument that narratives are strucuted around oppositional elements in human culture, e.g. good/evil, life/death, night/day.
link to study? : Binary oppositions are apparent in the film between Gabriella and Vanessa..
- Mainstream entertainment and media production tend to be family orientated and unchallanging in terms of representation and content,
-Mainstreamers are individuals who feel comfortable with the status quo and threatened by change.
Link to study? : 'HSM' complies and contrasts to the mainstream...
how it complies: is uncontroversial... Character Sharpay is slightly mainstreamist as she is threatened by the change that is occurring. i.e. her reign of playing lead musical roles being lost.
How it doesn't : Film challenges the status quo.
2) Metonym: Part of a representational image used to stand for a whole in such a way that the viewer is able to construct the rest of the story from the part give,
e.g a smiling policeman helping a child cross a busy road is a metonym for a caring community police force.
3) Motif: a recurrent theme or element that runs through a film and is repeated in a significant way, often expressing a key message.
4) Narrative theory: a type of thinking that seeks to explain narrative structures and their relationship to wider cultural and genre-related factors.
-Narrative theorists seek to deconstruct narratives in order to identify their common characteristics and component elements e,g Todorov and Levi- strauss
Link to study? : Theorists that are applicable to 'HSM'
5) Segmentation: the concentration by individual satellite and cable television channels on one area of viewing such as sport, film. history etc.
e.g cbeebies, Nick TV and THE DISNEY CHANNEL.
Link to study?: As stated about the Disney Channel (the institution behind 'HSM') is an example of such segmentation. (link to audience)
6) Todorov: GENRE THEORIST. Todorov's sequence is made up of propositions outlining a basic state of narration, which is disturbed and then re-established.
-Equilibrium...
-Disruption...
-recognition that the disruption has taken place...
-an attempt to repair the damage...
-a return to some kind of equilibrium.
Link to study: Todorovian structure is applicable to 'HSM' - Why is it used? - easily identifiable making the film straightforward making it appeal to the tweenage TA as its easier to understand.
Equilibrium: Start of school.
Disruption: Gabriella and Troy audition for musical.. Sharpay is jealous and stops gets the drama teacher to change the callback date. A further disruption occurs when Troy and Gabriella's friends hitch a plan to stop them both from performing together.
-recognition that the disruption has taken place: First disruption is recognized through the 'stick to the status quo' number. Second recognition is when the friends realize how unhappy their friends are..
-a return to some kind of equilibrium: Friends confess the truth of their plan and work with Troy and Gab to get into the callbacks. G and T win the places for the musical.
7) Telefilm: A feature-length film made for television.
Link to study: 'HSM' was a film originally made for the Disney channel (economic -low cost link). Third 'HSM' musical however will be shown in the cinema (again an economic link)
8) Youth culture: Any range of youth subcultures from the 1950s through to the present day including acpects of dress, behaviour, music preferance etc.
e.g Teddyboys(1950s)
Link to study?: youth culture has a key role in teen musicals. This is evident in Grease espicialy with J.Travolta and his gang as Teddyboys (iconic of the time) . Importance of youth culture in musicals? possibly as a way of identification.
9) Audience participation: The practice involving the audience to directly participate in the activities that form the basis of the program.
link to study? : Obvious link.. audience in musical films are invited to participate through sing alongs. This is also one of they key conventions of film musicals.
10) Binary opposition: term used by Strauss as part of his argument that narratives are strucuted around oppositional elements in human culture, e.g. good/evil, life/death, night/day.
link to study? : Binary oppositions are apparent in the film between Gabriella and Vanessa..
Monday, 19 November 2007
Blog Buddy meeting
What we discussed:
We found it hard to make links at first as our studies are not that similar. However, we managed to find some common areas of research that would be relevant to use both:
- Identity,
- Gender roles
- Genre theory
1) Identity:
In both of our studies the theme of identity is a key element. We will be looking at how identity is shaped in the texts.
For instance, ‘HSM’ identity is a major theme that runs throughout the film as the main characters Troy and Gabriella struggle to find their identities due to peer pressure etc .
In ‘Heroes’ identity also plays a major part as the heroes have dual identities.
2) Gender roles:
What are they?
What are audience expectations of these?
Why are they used?
Do our texts conform/reject them? Why?
3) Genre theory:
Find theorists that can be applied to both of our studies.
We found it hard to make links at first as our studies are not that similar. However, we managed to find some common areas of research that would be relevant to use both:
- Identity,
- Gender roles
- Genre theory
1) Identity:
In both of our studies the theme of identity is a key element. We will be looking at how identity is shaped in the texts.
For instance, ‘HSM’ identity is a major theme that runs throughout the film as the main characters Troy and Gabriella struggle to find their identities due to peer pressure etc .
In ‘Heroes’ identity also plays a major part as the heroes have dual identities.
2) Gender roles:
What are they?
What are audience expectations of these?
Why are they used?
Do our texts conform/reject them? Why?
3) Genre theory:
Find theorists that can be applied to both of our studies.
Sunday, 18 November 2007
Blog buddy research task 1
Outline of what we agreed to do:
Research the concept of the American Dream.
What i found out:
Book research- Essential word dictionary
What Pooja found out:
"Our challenge is to create an America that lives up to the principles and ideals of our Founding Fathers."
The "Founding Fathers" being Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln & Theodore Roosevelt.
In the Declaration of Independence, America's Founding Fathers laid out very clearly for us the true meaning of the American Dream ...
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness"
It is clear that the "american dream" had become materialistic and there seemsed to be a "sign of moral decay"
Statistics:
90% feel uncertain about their future peace and security.
66% believe society is becoming much more materialistic.
50% believe Americans have lost the opportunity for the American Dream.
71% believe major change is necessary to regain American prosperity.
http://www.todaysamericandream.com/
Today the "American Dream" is often associated with immigrants as it is seen as the "land of oppurtunity" where people are able to make something of their lives. the immigrants are commonly from South Asia, and Latin America.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Dream
Research the concept of the American Dream.
What i found out:
Book research- Essential word dictionary
American Dream: a cultural myth based on the belief that the
-The origins of the myth lie with the American Declaration of Independence which emphasizes the equality of all humanity and the right to ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness’. At the time this document many wealthy American colonial citizens were slave owners.
-Belief in the American Dream can leas to a conflict between the desire for wealth and material happiness and the means by which this ideal is achieved.
-The realities of
-The myth of the American Dream is important because it forms the background ideology of media products from across all genres but in particular of film and television productions.
What Pooja found out:
"Our challenge is to create an America that lives up to the principles and ideals of our Founding Fathers."
The "Founding Fathers" being Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln & Theodore Roosevelt.
In the Declaration of Independence, America's Founding Fathers laid out very clearly for us the true meaning of the American Dream ...
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness"
It is clear that the "american dream" had become materialistic and there seemsed to be a "sign of moral decay"
Statistics:
90% feel uncertain about their future peace and security.
66% believe society is becoming much more materialistic.
50% believe Americans have lost the opportunity for the American Dream.
71% believe major change is necessary to regain American prosperity.
http://www.todaysamericandream.com/
Today the "American Dream" is often associated with immigrants as it is seen as the "land of oppurtunity" where people are able to make something of their lives. the immigrants are commonly from South Asia, and Latin America.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Dream
Monday, 5 November 2007
'Bibliography: Books'
- Altman, Rick (1987) : The American Film Musical. Indiana University Press
- Dunne, Michael (2004): American Film Musical Themes and Forms. McFarland & Company
- Mordden, Ethan (1981) : Hollywood Musical. New York,N.Y: St. Martin's Press
-Bergan, Ronald (2006) : Film.Dolling Kindersley limited
- Maltby,Richard (2003) : Hollywood Cinema Second Edition. Blackwell publishing
- Cousins, Mark (2004) : The story of film. Pavilion Books
- Dyer,Richard (1977): "Entertainment and Utopia" Movie no. 24.
- ........ (1997) : Cassel Companion to Cinema. Market House Books LTD.
- Stilian, Don ( ) : At the movies behind the big screen: the history, scandals, studios and stars, Southwater.
- Villarejo, Amy (2007): Film studies: the basics. Routledge.
Sunday, 4 November 2007
Blog buddies
Blog buddies
In our class... POOJA PANK
Not much overlap at all…
Both looking at American texts
Pooja has done some research on genre which will be of use to me
Also I will need to make some references to the different representation of characters.
Info on genre. Both looking at something unique so will be able to help each other with fine tuning our research skills.
- Deep's study is on whether or not the neo-noir genre continue to follow the representations of the classic film noir genre. The text he is foccusing upon is 'Sin City'
0Areas of overlap: both looking at the conventions of our specific genres and there developments.
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