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.

El Juramento-- The BEST SUSPENSE telenovela EVER!

I watched El Juramento for my last blog post. This story is surrounded around a guy named Santiago who is determined how his brother Diego died. Santiago comes to find out that Diego killed himself after a woman named Alma had abortion that was said to be Diego’s child. Alma also refused his marriage proposal. Santiago’s goal is to simply seek revenge. Throughout the telenovela, Santiago narrows down his two possible options for women who wronged his brother, Alma and Andrea. Therefore, he sets out to determine which one was the cause of his brother’s death in order to make one of their lives miserable. This telenovela’s suspense is INSANE! I love telenovelas with lots of suspense where I just keep watching and watching. I was definitely hooked by this telenovela. The first thing I noticed in this specific telenovela was the immediate change in music. Within the first 45 seconds of the first episode, a suspicious character appeared and the fun, upbeat music changed suddenly to a slow moving beat as the suspicious character entered. I love the fact that now I can predict what is going to happen within a telenovela solely based on the music that is being played. Two characters Llego and Santiago are having a phone conversation where even though I could not necessarily understand what was being said, I could tell that the conversation was turning bad by the change of rhythm of the music. As the telenovela goes on, one character has a baby. The music mimics a song similar to a nursery rhyme. There was a lot of incidental music that helped me to understand the flow of the telenovela. During more love scenes, songs would play with instruments such as a saxophone that helps toward the romantic vibe within the scene. I really enjoyed learning the aspects of a telenovela. Now, when I watch any tv shows, I listen out for the music, I observe the protagonists, I think about how the show affects the outside world. I feel like a producer more like. I really enjoyed this class and I have found a new love for watching telenovelas!

Yo soy betty la fea

For me, it has been very interesting to watch this telenovela because there are so many countries with there own version of it, and it is interesting for me to watch the Colombian version. It somewhat follows the Cinderella story line, that despite being recreated so many times, never ceases to fail in capturing the audiences' attention including my own. Betty is a girl who has not been blessed with the best of looks, and even though she is so smart, she has a difficult time getting a job because of her looks. She finally applies for a job in the fashion industry, but she does not attach a photo of herself which allows her to get an interview. Betty quickly falls for the handsome Armando even though he is engaged. Armando hires Betty as one of his secretaries, and Betty is willing to do anything for him. However, Betty refuses to tell anyone, not even Armando, about her love for Armando. This show keeps me watching because I anxiously await finding out whether or not Betty will end up with Armando, and I am excited to see her beauty transformation.

Choppy Story Line

I bought the DVD's for Rebelde and while I do understand that they can't fit all of the episodes into one case, I still feel as if I don't understand the whole story line. One minute two of the main characters will be fighting and in the next five they will be kissing. I feel as if there's not enough background information for me to understand what is really going on. Aside from this, I really do like the telenovela. Are you guys have the same problem though?

Blog Post 2: Rubi

I decided to watch Rubi for my Telenovela choice. From the first few seconds of the show, Rubi did not look like an ordinary character. She is the main character no doubt, but it looks as if she is the antagonist. That is how mean and feisty she is. She is portrayed as a very selfish, money and power-seeking girl who would do anything to achieve her desire. It is very interesting to see how Rubi's interaction with different types of people is growing. Growing in a sense that she is wanting a better and richer man, like playing games - a stage after stage.

As a telenovela, it is quite obvious to predict the scenes. But what I also noticed was the effect of the sound/background music. It makes me laugh sometimes because the editors make it too obvious of what's going on. When Rubi starts to make an evil facial expression, a big low key note of piano plays out of the blue. The sound is very discontinuous, so it caught me off guard at a lot of times. Even though it is predictable, however, I still enjoy this, because I never watched a film where the protagonist seems so much like an antagonist. Looking forward to watching more episodes!

Teresa, Not Your Typical Protagonist

There were underlying hints of Teresa's character throughout the novela. The sharp music that would play whenever she was asked questions she had lied about would attract attention to her not-so-good characteristics. The rage and frustration she exhibits in front of her family whenever money is talked about does not fit in with the typical rosa telenovela stars. She is different. Teresa represents a darker side of a Cinderella story as she tries to escape her poverty.

Overall, Teresa is different than most leading characters in telenovelas. She isn't quite the "good girl" and I like that. Within the first couple episodes, I noticed her great ambition to overcome her socioeconomic obstacles. Money clearly drives her in her journey of this novela. This novela, it seems to me, will show the journey of Teresa as she transforms from being a naive, poor girl to being manipulative and evil.


The telenovela Teresa stands out from a long list of past and current novelas because of the different approach taken in the protagonist view. The story of the telenovela is interesting and entertaining and the cliff-hangers make me want to keep on watching from break to break and episode to episode.

Blog Post #2: Rebelde

I'm on the second disc of "Rebelde". I'm starting to see the many different story lines that coincide to complicate the story and keep the audience's interest. First, I'm starting to see the the love triangles forming between all 6 of the main characters. One of the triangles is Mia, Miguel, and Giovanni. Mia and Miguel are obviously the two main protagonists of the group of friends who are destined to be together, but things keep getting in their way. Currently, Giovanni, one of the main characters, is in love with Mia. However, Mia thinks that Giovanni is just being a good friend, further complicating the love story. Another complicating factor to this love story is Vico, who is in love with Giovanni. Therefore this love triangle is filled with one person being in love with someone who isn't in love with them. Another love triangle that is forming is Roberta and Diego's love. Roberta has been in Spain with her father who is forcing her to spend time with him has consequently been away from Diego for a while. Meanwhile, Diego is dating a girl who is at Elite Way School behind Roberta's back. Upon returning to school, Roberta encounters Diego's other love interest. She gets upset and goes to her mom crying about her relationship with Diego. The final love triangle is between Mia, Miguel, and a random girl that Miguel has been seeing to spite Mia. Diego eventually goes to break up with the girl because he sees how much he loves Mia. This action is relating to the concept of opposing love stories: while one couple (or in this case two) are doing terrible, the only is doing well.

Another reoccurring story line that is used in many telenovelas is the unknown discovery of something that happened to a parent. This rendition of the story is with Mia and her mother. Mia formerly did not know how her mother died, but a secret envelope that was delivered to her told her that her mother died in a car accident with a musician she was dating at the same time that she was married to her father. After this travesty, Mia begins to find comfort in Roberta's mother, Alma Rey. Alma also begins to become a mother figure that Mia never had, completing her family and further complicating her relationship with Roberta.

I believe that further in the story, there will be more ups and downs with the 3 love triangles and more complications with Roberta and Mia's relationship before they resolve their friendship towards the end.