This document discusses the conventions and characteristics of musicals. It explains that in musicals, characters express their emotions through song and dance in an outward and uninhibited way. Songs advance the plot and develop characters and themes. Musicals are set in a fantasy world where singing and dancing come naturally. Songs usually convey inward thoughts and feelings of characters. Musicals tend to have happy, uplifting narratives where good prevails over evil.

1. Musicals
To understand the dramatic purpose of songs in musicals
To understand the conventions of musical plays (Literary context)

2. Starter: previous knowledge spider diagram
• What do you know about musicals?
• How many musicals can you name?
• What are the typical types of storylines, characters and themes?
• What kinds of songs feature at what kind of moments in the play?
Musicals

3.  Top musicals
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrQuZ0a65EU

4. Codes and Conventions of
Film Musicals
Introduction to American Film, JC Clapp, North Seattle College

5. Overall Style & Characteristics
 Songs sung by the characters
to advance the plot or develop
the film's characters or
themes.
 Singing in a movie isn’t what
makes a musical – for it to be
a musical, characters must be
uninhibited and outwardly
express emotion through song
and dance
 Rather than simply adding
music to the soundtrack (non-
diegetic), the characters within
the film sing and dance to
convey their thoughts and
feelings (diegetic).

6. More Style & Characteristics
 Characters sing and
dance to the camera,
for the benefit of the
film viewer, rather than
any ostensible
audience within the
film's story.
 Musicals are always
set in a fantasy world
of some sort where
music appears out of
nowhere, where extras
spontaneously act as
back-up dancers,
where everybody has a
booming Broadway-
style singing voice

7. Narrative and themes
 Overall, musicals tend
to be utopic and
happy where good
rules over evil – or
where the protagonist
prevails
 Whether the
characters in musicals
are feeling up or
down, whether they
are alone or in public,
they are always able
to fulfill their desire or
to feel better by
dancing or singing.

8. Music of Musicals
 The musical accompaniment
comes from "no where"—
outside the world of the
film—though the singing
comes from within the world
of the film, which is a
violation of the rules of
realism that govern almost all
other genres/styles.
 Songs are usually
“Broadway” style requiring
big, powerful voices
 Singing originates from the
mind and emotion of the
characters – the songs are
used to express inward
thoughts and feelings
outwardly

9.  We’re going to watch some clips from musicals.
Draw a grid on A3 paper to compare type of song /
mood and purpose (of the song) in the different
musicals.

10. Musicals – as we watch the clips, make notes on each song
Musical Song Type of song /
mood
Purpose
The Lion King The Circle of Life
Grease You’re the One that I
Want
Chicago Mr Cellophane
Singin’ in the Rain Singin’ in the Rain
Hairspray You Can’t Stop the
Beat

11. Clips from musicals
 The Lion King
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E55w-sq64ck
 Grease
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oKPYe53h78
 Chicago
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKHzTtr_lNk
 Singin’ in the Rain
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w40ushYAaYA
 Hairspray
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hePtDg1XIM

12. Musicals
Musical Song Type of song /
mood
Purpose
The Lion King The Circle of Life Big ensemble,
rousing chorus
Introduction of
setting and themes
Grease You’re the One that I
Want
Duet, fast-paced,
upbeat.
Resolves
relationship, reveals
feelings.
Chicago Mr Cellophane Solo – mournful
ballad.
Shows character’s
secret feelings.
Singin’ in the Rain Singin’ in the Rain Solo – upbeat,
happy.
Expressing joy.
Hairspray You Can’t Stop the
Beat
Big ensemble
showstopper; fast-
paced, positive.
Shows togetherness
and determination
of characters.