Bell Ringer

1. Bell Ringer • M.socrative.com – Room #38178 • QUESTION: • 1. What do we call a melody or short theme associated with a person, idea, or object?

2. More on Leitmotifs

3. Leitmotifs • There are several famous Leitmotifs used in operas, and most recently in cinema • Short melodies associated with characters are played as characters come on screen or are mentioned. • Usually a near full composition the first time the character appears – later just short segments of the music • The leitmotifs are used so often throughout the opera/film, that when you hear it you immediately think of the character!

4. Leitmotif examples • Can you name the character? • We talked about SOME of these yesterday… • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehrj58nJBJI • http://youtu.be/0di9tiulb4Q?t=1m30s • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9vrfEoc8_g • http://youtu.be/D83YzbIwEmY?t=4m20s • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90h2gLgTz5g

5. Leitmotifs - Noncharacters • Sometimes leitmotifs are associated with a THING or FEELING • War, Love, Victory, etc.

6. Leitmotifs - Noncharacters • Can you name the theme? • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0di9tiulb4Q • http://youtu.be/0di9tiulb4Q?t=23s • http://youtu.be/D83YzbIwEmY?t=1m37s • http://youtu.be/0di9tiulb4Q?t=2m11s • http://youtu.be/0di9tiulb4Q?t=4m28s • http://youtu.be/0di9tiulb4Q?t=5m9s • http://youtu.be/0di9tiulb4Q?t=7m54s

7. Group Project: Leitmotifs!

8. Project Objective • Your favorite TV SHOW wants to go another direction – the staff wants to turn it into an opera. • For the TV Show to work as an opera, it needs leitmotifs associated with its main characters and common themes. • It’s up to YOU to determine what music should be used.

9. Steps • Groups of 3-5 people • Select a TV show that everyone in your group is familiar with. (Its hard to pick songs for characters you don’t know.) • You’ll want one with at least 5 frequent characters

10. Steps • As a group, decide what you’re going to create leitmotifs for… • You MUST do at least 5 characters • You MUST do at least 3 “ideas” (love, moral lesson, work, partying, etc. They could be more specific like “when Mike says ‘that’s awesome’” – as long as he does that a lot!) • You need 10 TOTAL – the other 3 can be characters, settings, or ideas.

11. Steps • On the handout, create a list of the characters and ideas (with brief descriptions) • What qualities define your characters? • When do the ideas come into play? Why are they important?

12. Steps • Using YouTube, select segments of songs to use as leitmotifs for the characters and ideas you’ve selected. • Music should reflect the character or idea being presented! They should help us better understand the character/idea. • If your character is a “bad boy” don’t play happy music! • Music should be 10-30 seconds in length (nothing longer.) It can include words, or be instrumental. • ALL EXAMPLES MUST BE CLEAN!!! • Put this on your handout • Make sure you note the START and STOP time of your leitmotif (it’s NOT the whole song!)

13. Presentation • At the end of next week, you’ll present your leitmotifs to the class. • We’ll be in the lab Tuesday and Wednesday to put the presentation together. • Each slide should introduce us to the character, with a detailed description (in case someone hasn’t seen the show), then briefly explain the music you selected for them, and play it for the class. • You will do the same for the ideas you’ve selected.

14. Mrs. Buchholz’s Example (only 3 leitmotifs – you need 10!) My Leitmotif Project

15. 24 is a show full of action. It follows Jack Bauer as he works with CTU (the Counter-Terrorist Unit) to prevent terrorists attacks on the United States. It was on FOX for 8 seasons and is coming back this May as a mini-series.

16. Character: Jack Bauer • Main character • Started as director of CTU Los Angeles, but in most seasons worked as head of Field Operations. He has also worked for Homeland Security and CTU: NY (later seasons.) • Frequently pushes the envelope – he does whatever it takes to get the job done. This often includes torturing suspects. • He is highly efficient with firearms, and can fly planes and helicopters. • He’s a scary guy with a noble purpose.

17. Character: Jack Bauer • Jack goes to extreme measures to get the job done, but always with good intentions • Leitmotif: Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 (40:21-31) • Because it’s scary sounding, but still full of strength and power

18. Idea: Torture • Jack, and his CTU coworkers, are often seen torturing the enemies in an effort to get information • Sometimes they’re injecting captives with things specifically designed to cause them pain, other times its physical infliction, or, in extreme cases, hurting ones loved ones. • A lot of times, Jack kills them after he gets the information anyway…

19. Idea: Torture • Since torture is painful, the music needed to be painful to hear. • Leitmotif: Joker’s Theme (:51-1:10) • Anytime any member of the team goes to extreme measures, this music will play – almost torturing your ears.

20. Idea: Loss of a Friend • In each season of 24, someone close to the team dies (or gets seriously hurt.) • They may die in an attack, of a disease, or in combat. • It’s always a very sad moment, and the episode usually ends with a silent countdown.

21. Idea: Loss of a Friend • When a CTU member dies, its always a shock to the audience – usually met with teary eyes. • Leitmotif: O Magnum Mysterium (5:23-End) • Very sad music that makes you want to cry