Blog Post #3: Rebelde

Based on what we discussed in class on Monday about the role of music in the telenovela, I have come to realize that my telenovela is based almost completely around music. The premise of Rebelde is from an actual band named RBD that was very famous in Hispanic countries known for their catchy songs, over-the-top concerts, and crazy costumes and style. In the actual telenovela, the 6 main characters are also members of the band in real life: Mia, Miguel, Diego, Roberta, Giovanni, and Lupita (their characters' names and not their actual names). These characters use their songs from their CDs in the telenovela in a few distinct ways. One of the ways that the music of RBD plays a role is in the theme song/ opening credits. RBD's song "Rebelde" plays while the cast, crew, etc are listed. The song talks about not caring about what other people think about you and simply doing what you want, not what is expected. This idea becomes the premise and theme of the show similar to other telenovela's theme songs that we discussed in class. The songs also are used when setting the mood of a scene through the use of an instrumental version. One prominent example is the use of the song "Salvame" which is played whenever a romantic scene takes place. It is usually used in regard to a breakthrough in two character's relationship romantically, like a spur of the moment kiss. Another use of the RBD songs is for interesting and fun transitions from one scene to another. For example, in one scene in the show, the scene transitions from a concert to a serious scene at Elite Way School. The song that RBD was preforming transfers to the audio of the song to a visual of the landscape and moves to the specific scene in the school that's a little more serious. The song fades from the fun concert scene to a slow and serious hallway scene. One final use of the music is used during concert scenes when RBD is preforming to take up time in the telenovela as filler. These excerpts from actual concerts also allow the viewers to be involved in RBD's real music and concerts as propaganda to sell more CDs and music.