I Will Never Be Able to Work on a Telenovela

Something that really stood out to me about production is the intricacy of it all. Had it not been for Dr. A’s opportunities to take videos of the behind the scenes production processes, I do not think I would have been able to realize what actually goes on behind the screen and what surrounds the small shots we see in each episode. Some things stood out to me throughout the process of learning about production, including the frustration of everyone involved, the comfortability required of actors and the effect of music in the telenovela without the audience even necessarily noticing. Most of this learning process led to one massive conclusion for me, which is the fact that I will never be able to work on a telenovela. 

   

An obvious takeaway that emerged rather quickly while learning about production and watching Dr. A’s videos is how frustrating the whole process seems. In the videos Dr. A showed, we were able to see all of the components that must work together or else the scene will have to be redone entirely. The director, the boom microphones, the actors and the many other people on set all have to be in the exact right place, with some people in frame and some out of frame, or else the entire scene would have to be redone. Hearing the stories about one boom mic being slightly in the corner of a frame or not getting the right angle of one actor getting his shirt taken off seems extremely frustrating and infuriating. The actors pour all of their energy into the scenes, and to be told the cry was not good enough seems incredibly aggravating to me. For the production crew to have to watch the same scene over and over again, finally completing a scene after hours of attempts to do so seems tedious and exhausting. To put it quite frankly, although the countless steps needed in order to make every scene happen in telenovelas are absolutely necessary to produce such an impressive product, the process just seems like it would make my blood boil. 

Another aspect that stood out to me about telenovela production was the comfortability and confidence that is required of the actors and actresses. One particular scene that really struck a chord with me was the actress on top of her co-star in bed. Production filmed the two kissing and him taking off her bra. Had she not been pressed against him she would have been totally exposed on the top. To me, this scene is difficult enough to do it once. The confidence and comfortability it takes to be able to act out that scene, with seemingly realistic emotions and passion, is not a small feat. Adding to that challenge, it is done in front of dozens of people filming and recording and looking from every angle. What was insane to me about this clip is when the director tells the two that they need to do it again because something was not perfect. How quickly the actress snaps out of character and back in, the ease of her ability to disconnect from the scene once the cameras turn off and the comfortability she has on set is so impressive. The scene itself is difficult enough, but having to do it multiple times partially nude in front of so many people is baffling to me. It is extremely impressive how calm, collected and professional the actor and actress were able to be despite their circumstances. This type of work has become normal to them, but is something completely outlandish for me to even think about.

A lighter observation that I noticed while learning about production is the impact of music, although sometimes subconsciously. In “La Reina del Sur,” the telenovela that I am watching, the same short song plays at the beginning of every episode. I thought as I had been watching the episodes, I was not really paying attention to the music. I assumed that the plot and the characters were the main things that I was absorbing and getting out of the telenovela. However, today in class, the music form “La Reina del Sur” was one of the examples on the slides. I really surprised myself by, somehow, feeling attached to the sounds of the song. It felt so familiar, like I had known it by heart for a while. Subconsciously, I have now entirely associated that short beginning tune with Teresa Mendoza, drug lords and drug trafficking and the telenovela in general. While this may not have been as intense of a revelation as the other points discussed, this still helped me realize the purpose, importance and power that the massive industry of the music for telenovelas holds. 

Although this blog post is definitely more casual and frank than my past ones, I honestly could not think of a more genuine way to communicate how learning about the production of telenovelas has impacted me. I definitely was aware that there was more going on behind the shot I see in each episode, but it is hard to not separate the production process from the fictional world of a telenovela you are enthralled in. I truly never realized all that goes into it. It is really tough to think of a process more demanding, frustrating and tedious than the production of telenovelas now that I have really been given the chance to see a “behind the scenes” of the “behind the scenes.” Not that I ever particularly wanted to be a telenovela actress, or even work on the production team, but this knowledge has really shown me that it will never be in my future. I am so thoroughly impressed with the patience and talent of every member of the production team and the actors and actresses. However, the frustration and difficulty that comes with this intricacy and skill is absolutely not something I am capable of or desire to do. 

By Elizabeth Heuser