Definition of a Musical

Musical films are movies with traditional, pop and artistic music like Classical music which has a wide of range of songs which tell the main story of the films.

Musical films can also be a sub-genre of drama and romance.

Examples of Musical films:

1. Moulin Rouge
2. Singin’ in the Rain
3. Wizard of Oz
4. The Sound of Music
5. West Side Story
6. Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber from Fleet Street
7. Fame
8. Mamma Mia!
9. Hairspray
10. The Lion King

Usual Plots:

1. Romance
2. Drama, love sequence
3. Happy feeling
4. A twist
5. Excitement of the music

Typical Lighting:

Different lighting e.g. dark and lighting, defends on the musical. If it is a dark musical like Sweeney Todd the lighting is dark, but when the musical is like Singin’ in the Rain the lighting would be lighter because the sub-genre has a more happier and lighter feel.

Typical Sound:

1. Depends on what the sub-genre
2. Some musicals have pop songs
3. Some have an orchestra playing
4. They both depend on the style of the genre

Typical Settings:

1. Depends on what type of musical it is
2. Theater
3. In a random place
4. Stages
5. Romanic place if it is a sub-genre

Typical Roles:

1. Lead boy meets lead girl and they singing about they should dated
2. Singing about love
3. Singing about destruction e.g. film Sweeney Todd
4. Happy people
5. Supporting friends
6. Family conflict

Typical Shots:

1. Long/ medium shots
2. Camera on a dolly movement of the characters
3. Long shots
4. Close-ups sometimes