TV2 ES Themesong project lesson 1

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 2

lesson 3-4 skills

We find ourselves in unusual times. 

The pandemic of the Corona virus affects everyone. We watch the news on a daily basis to see what measures world leaders take and how society responds to these developments. Our school has been closed for a while and will stay closed until at least the May break. 

Those of us who are lucky enough to be well and virus-free

may be finding the sudden changes to our lifestyles challenging and it still feels like we are living in some crazy movie. With this in mind, I thought we’d start a themesong project for the movie that we call: 

OUR LIVES NOW

So let's make the best of it

rise to the challenge

Or just grin and bear it

With every frame, filmmakers and videographers are trying to convey a specific emotion.

 The lighting, the location, the energy of an actor’s delivery… 

these choices are carefully thought out and executed to put the viewer in a certain mindset that’s open to the creator’s intent. Of all the artistic tools at a filmmaker’s disposal, it can be argued that music is among the most vital — and certainly one of the most powerful.

Watch the next clip and fill in the mindmap

What is the song about?

What feeling does it evoke (bring to mind)?

A good theme song has the ability to transport you into the world of the show itself — often better than any exposition or dialogue. 

Whether it’s silly or scary, a good theme song is as much a part of the show as the title and another way for a creator to tell their story. 

These days every extra second counts, so oftentimes theme songs are used as part of the narrative: providing insight into the characters’ psyche, set the location, or simply to portray a distinct feeling to the audience. 

Here’s a few reasons why a good theme song is still important.

LITERALLY, WHAT’S HAPPENING?

Theme songs can often be a catchy way to quickly give the viewer important plot information. This might help catch the viewer up or just give a general overview of what they’re about to watch.

It helps place the viewer within the temporary reality on the screen.

CHARACTERS HAVE LAYERS

If you want to get all clever, why not add some character clues into your theme song? When using a theme song with specific lyrics for a designated reason, a whole new aspect of a character can be revealed. 

WHERE ARE WE?

There are many shows where setting is almost its’ own character. Sometimes, it’s much easier to use the theme song to set the location for the show than give some sort of character insight.

SO MANY FEELS

Many shows rely on the strong emotions of the audience to be successful.  Music can help people form strong associations, meaning that one note of “I’ll Be There For You” and I’m reliving every hug Rachel gave Monica. This association is yet another way creators can use a theme song to influence the emotions of the audience.

What famous theme songs do you know??

What was the last movie that you watched with great music?

Listen to the next couple of theme songs

For every song take notes about:

1. the feelings the music  and the lyrics evoke (so what emotion does the song convey).
2. the images you associate with the songs

Then fill out your answers after each song.

03:57

What emotion does the song evoke?

03:57

What images do you associate with the song?

04:27

What emotion does the song evoke?

04:27

What images do you associate with the song?

03:55

What emotion does the song evoke?

03:55

What images do you associate with the song?

Bonus theme song:

For the assignment you can choose

either a presentation clip about why a certain song is your choice for a themesong of your life now.

or 

Create your own themesong.

Brainstorm

Think about what type of feeling you want to evoke.

What songs fit with that emotion (or emotions)?

Does the music fit?

Do the lyrics fit?

What images come to mind?

For next lesson Friday 10-4:

you need to have uploaded your brainstorm in the document on Classroom.