Genre Research- Musicals

The film genre 'Musicals' is where songs are sung by characters and are interwoven into the storyline. They can make the audience see something other characters in the film don't know or they can give you more information to help you understand the storyline by slotting into the narrative. The songs can also show a development of the character or the plot of the film. The songs can also be accompanied by dance.

Musical films were developed from stage musicals and at the time that they became popular the other difference was advanced scenery and locations which would be impractical in a theatre. When the characters are performing their songs it is usually done so they are looking into the camera, keeping the stage musical element. This technique makes the audience feel as if they are involved with the story making it more interesting for them to watch. 

 

Most musicals will include:
Singing
Dancing (not all musicals will include this)
Spoken dialogue
There is often a relationship between two characters where the singing happens (about love/passion/sadness)
Actors look directly towards the camera
Extras (large cast)
 

An example of a film where the singer looks towards the camera is in the musical 'Hairspray' in the song 'Run and Tell That':

 

As you can see, they character singing looks into the camera. In most musicals the songs tell some of the story and in this case, its saying that even though their skin is different, everyone is the same underneath. This follows a stereotypical musical as it has singing, dancing and spoken dialogue.

The famous musical 'Les Miserables' has no spoken dialogue or dancing. The story is told through songs and has been turned from a stage musical into a film and even a drama film where there are no songs at all. This just shows how far musicals have evolved and how popular they have become over all the years.

Andrew Lloyd Webber is probably Britain's most famous composer of musical theatre most famously known for 'The Music of the Night' from The Phantom of the Opera and 'Memory' from Cats. Here videos of a couple of his most famously known songs:






You can also visit his website for further information of musicals he has composed: http://www.andrewlloydwebber.com/