#hsmtmts backgrounds

[hsmtmts-arrows]

Why? so Madison can ruin the rest of my night? Which is already at an all-time worst night category after learning Ashlyn is back together with Big Red. Read the card. Out loud. “Maddy, these balloons aren’t for you. Give them to Ashlyn tonight. The way you talk about her is the way people talk about someone when they’re falling for them. Love always, Madison.” What’s that? Miss Jenn? You need me on stage? I’m not back together with Big Red. But- And I have feelings for you. I have every feeling for you. And my.. My biggest fear is that if we tried this, if we actually went for it, that I might lose the most incredible friendship I have. What is this? Just open it. God, I hope you don’t hate this. “Ash hearts Gadget”? It was carved into a tree behind the bunks in Shallow Lake. Wait. You’ve had these feelings since back at camp? No, EJ did this. He predicted we’d end up together. I feel like... I feel like I don’t deserve to be as happy as you make me. You are the scariest, most beautiful person I’ve ever met. That. is exactly how I feel about you. Should we just, like, I don’t know, like, stay friends? Yeah, yeah, no it’s um... probably safer that way. Yeah. That’s what I was thinking. Uh-huh... OH- I’m sorry- MY KISS WITH SEB HAS GONE VIRAL ON TIKTOK AND I GOTTA DOWNLOAD WITH SOMEBODY-oh- oH MY GOD. okay. i’m leaving!! WAIT. I’m so happy for you two! This is SO endgame !!

[sparklyseblos]

“I love you feels a lot like high school and forever after that 🐾♥️” - saylor’s ig post

hi yeah i’m alright. no, definitely NOT sobbing that’s not what’s happening here…i’m fine 😭

[akascow]

i love that hsmtmts4 finally canonized ryan evans as gay but it just makes hsm2 even funnier thinking about how troy was jealous that ryan was ‘stealing’ gabriella away from him

[after-nine-at-the-oasis]

"All my life, I've been told" "Stick to the status quo, don't let anybody see who you are" I'M FINE HOW ARE YOU

[expectopaatronum]

okay just watched s4e5 of hsmtmts and tell me why i’m crying over that rina kiss

[dykrophone]

GOD I miss jane the virgin:')

[agathario]

hsmtmts whatever dir by kenny ortega

everyone else comes back

cause we just got here 😪🤣

[witchymoonart]

after rehearsal <3

[hqlmsbury]

SGE MOVIE SPOILERS!!!

Getting all my thoughts out now. To be clear I did not hate the movie I actually quite enjoyed it but I was kind of disappointed in a lot of the plot points

• first off Rosie as Millicent is *chefs kiss* she’s absolutely GORGEOUS

• I can NOT BELIEVE we did not get some sort of circus of talents?!?! That was like the BEST book scene and I can’t believe it got taken out? The whole “Agatha will you be my princess for the ball?” I was WAITING for that line. Anyways.

• Tagatha…. Where do I start….. their whole storyline was so confusing like they never really hated each other and the whole thing with Tedros and Sophie felt like it never happened. The whole You’re the love of my life thing at the ball which Agatha didn’t get a date to, and should have gotten expelled as it was even said earlier in the movie, got me so confused it was so last minute in my opinion

• One of the highlights for me was the wish fish scene!! I think that that was done beautifully, the little girl UGH MY HEART I ALMOST CRIED. I didn’t like the Gregor guy at first but having Tedros kill him instead was wow. 10/10 support it.

• I can’t believe we didn’t get a Kiko/Agatha friendship. That was also such a book highlight for me and I’m so sad about that

• What the actual heck was the blood magic thing?? That made NO sense to me I didn’t think it was necessary either because it seemed like it was turning Sophie evil if you know what I mean. We all know Sophie had this anger within her she LITERALLY IS EVIL. So to have this blood magic thing was weird and honestly a bit creepy lol

• Sofia Wylie as Agatha was literally one of the best casting choices. I was a bit skeptical at first especially since I’ve only seen Sofia in HSMTMTS which has considerably worsened the past two seasons, I was completely blown away by her acting skills. However she fit in too perfectly with the Evers right at the beginning lol.

• Also why did we get no coven content??? I didn’t see like any scenes of the three of them which is definitely disappointing as they are fandom favorites! The three of them felt very much like background characters, I feel like I saw Hort more often than them 😭😭

• ALSO WHY DID WE SEE THE SCHOOL MASTER JUST LIKE HANGING AROUND LOL?!?!?! And how come Sophie and Agatha had no idea about the school for good and evil?? These little things kind of made me mad because it totally could’ve been put into the movie easily.

Anyways those are my thoughts. Again I didn’t hate the movie but as someone who had her favorite moments of the book be taken out I’m kind of sad lol. Let me know what you guys thought!

[thisgameissonintendo]

here’s the thing about me + lockwood content

before lockwood & co. i wasn’t really in the mood for editing. yes, i did come up with videos and photo edits but i wasn’t really enjoying it much. it was the same all over again. a new episode - a new video. don’t get me wrong, i loved the show (still do, it’s magnum p.i. i’m talking about) but i’ve been editing that for years now. 

every now and again a show was coming back with a new season. the umbrella academy for example. i did my usual “new season = one edit with number 5“ and then stopped (because there’s not really much content to use when there’s 50 main characters and you’re only willing to sit down to edit one of them). 

then outer banks came back, i thought “hey, time for a new rafe edit“. he wasn’t in it much. i didn’t come up with a video. fine, okay, back to magnum p.i. (which i still LOVE to death, don’t get me wrong, i would always come up with edits, it’s my 2nd favorite show now) but sometimes it’s nice to have different characters to work with. 

wednesday was released and i really liked that, especially tyler. i made some photo edits and a few videos (4 or something). and what then? back to the old routine? 

no, lockwood & co. was out. i remembered i had seen the trailer a while ago and liked it so i clicked ‘play‘. and look where we are now. i don’t know the last time one character has sparkled any interested in me and got me this motivated. a new one as well, might i add. i don’t do well with new characters since i always have to kinda let them get to me first, you know. it’s quite the process, too, when you want to edit. you have to get the episodes, the scenes you wanna use, you have to select 0.04 seconds from episode 1 and then 0.02 seconds from episode 8 because you think they could work really well together. so it’s a lot to think about even for short videos or photo edits (find the right episode for a certain scene, take screenshots, have ideas of what you wanna do with that screenshot, find good fonts, effects,…) i think you get me. it takes a lot of dedication (for me) to accept a character. and it’s not like i don’t like most of them. i like a lot. for example i’ve enjoyed characters from titans, fate: the winx saga, the sandman, hsmtmts and so on. 

so, what i usually do when i watch a new show is play it in the background. i don’t know any character - i’m not interested in any of them. i press ‘play’ and scroll through instagram or twitter. however with lockwood & co., i didn’t. i had my phone sitting right next to me but i didn’t click on instagram. i didn’t click on twitter. i actually watched the show from the first second on. for some reason it was very special to me, i can’t explain it. it felt like i had found THE show (and character) for me. the one show that could get me back into editing, actually loving what i do and create. and it did. look where i am now. 

i’m very emotional about this, i cannot even find proper words to express how thankful i am for all of this. i wake up in the morning and am excited about the evening because that’s the time of day i 1) have time to re-watch the show 2) read the books (again) or 3) edit. so this whole saving campaign is not only a matter of stopping netfl** bullshit with unnecessary cancelations, it’s also a matter of heart for me. lockwood & co. is my comfort show. i’ve found it after so many years and i didn’t even know i needed one but i did. lockwood & co. is not your ‘typical ghost show’. lockwood is not your typical good-looking, dick-ish protagonist, he’s way more. he’s the reason i’m doing all of this. i’m trying my best to help with whatever i can because they all deserve to come back for at least one more season. so, every day i stay up until 3-4am, get up at 9am the same day and i don’t regret a single thing. i wanna do this. and i know we can all help them get a new season, together.  

it’s been four months (and two days) since the release of lockwood & co. in these four months i’ve been the most creative i’ve ever been, i’ve met the most kind people on social media and i’ve never loved editing more than i do now. and all thanks to anthony lockwood.

[bylerconfessions]

“so why would the duffers NOT choose to do this? It's bold, but not THAT bold. it's not like making a gay film in the 80s or 90s. gay storytelling is not that uncommon these days.”

To the anon who said this, I’d say you’re right… up to a point. Gay storytelling IS less uncommon, but look at the main contexts it typically shows up:

A. explicitly gay movies like call me by your name/moonlight/crush/love, simon

B) explicitly gay tv shows like heartstopper/young royals/love victor

C) Side characters in non-gay movies, very rarely the main characters or else it becomes a gay movie: lady bird/mean girls/the perks of being a wallflower/american fiction/nope… sometimes these characters don’t even get to kiss anyone or date anyone

D) Side characters in tv shows, very rarely the main characters or else it becomes a gay show: riverdale, bridgerton, locke & key, hsmtmts 

E) if there are queer main characters in a non-gay show, they’re usually established in season 1 so people know what to expect (for example, euphoria or chucky or yellowjackets or xo, kitty… which still got a lot of backlash for “suddenly” making kitty bi).

F) Characters in very progressive animated films like Nimona or shows, often ones that get cancelled too, like The Owl House 

G) Literally Background characters in mainstream franchises like Marvel and Star Wars… Marvel has had ONE gay kiss on screen and that’s the guy from eternals… it’s had some other queer characters like valkyrie but they never get to do anything gay

H) Modern Disney Channel shows like Andi Mack where Cyrus Goodman became their first gay character… in 2019

There really isn’t anything like Stranger Things: a mainstream, non-gay, coming-of-age, sci-fi/horror show with no explicit, undeniable gay storylines suddenly- from the perspective of the GA- making one of its main characters, who has been in a fairly popular relationship with a girl since season 1, gay. And then going from 0 gay kisses to presumably multiple (including Robin and Vickie), where homosexuality is at the front and center inherently because of Will’s main character arc and Mike’s head. This IS very new. We are not only saying this is happening, but that this has been the plan since the beginning because of secret clues planted in the show.

So that’s where the doubt comes from, I think. Especially when America and the world is getting more homophobic too, not less. Conservatives call us groomers. People still see homosexuality as a sin. SO many of the audience members see Mike as the straightest character of all time and are screaming Mike is not, has never been, and never will be gay or bi.

Byler’s so juicy and it’s so bold, it’s undeniably a straightbait, and it will blindside a lot of the audience who never saw any of the queer subtext in the show and assumed the most they would see is maybe Robin holding hands with a girl or Will having an unnamed bf at the end.

Even just look at the reaction to Noah when he came out from many so-called Stranger Things fans. The show has absolutely attracted a conservative audience. Was that the intention? No, but it’s what happened. Non-homophobic audience members will be chill, but everyone else? It will be a wild time. Do the Duffers really want to make Stranger Things culture war public enemy number one? Time will tell.

All the evidence is in place. The only question. is, will the Duffers REALLY pull the trigger?

That requires a lot of faith.

(from this ask)

yea like stranger things isn't really a romance show in general, so putting a queer couple at the forefront of everything could surprise many

[youarentamaybeyoureayes]

i'll forever wish that hsmtmts was one of those shows that got 22 episodes a season so every character and plotline could've been given the proper treatment they deserved. like yeah it's a lot for the premise it had, but more episodes would've meant delving more into their backgrounds or giving more development into friendships and relationships of the show. i'm also still kind of mad that the season that was arguably their weakest ended up with the most episodes, while their stronger seasons had a limited number of episodes.

[sparklyseblos]

hellooo welcome! so i was thinking what i should have as my first post on here, and then i remembered there are two friendships we were so robbed of in hsmtmts so here you go because to quote seb “friendship!”

1. seb & nini: we deserved more than background moments! seb and nini friendship crumbs are so pure i love them. we needed to see more of their friendship

2. ej, gina & ricky: one thing i will never forgive the writers for is making these three a love triangle and not best friends like this is such an iconic trio?? trio friendships are so good (if you find the right ppl) and i stand by that also screw love triangles because as seb said “friendship!” i will always follow ejginaricky besties agenda.

okay. that’s it. thank you for reading :)

[yico0]

Roundtable 2: High School Musical: The Musical: The Series

"High School Musical: The Musical: The Series"  follows a group of students at East High as they navigate the ups and downs of adolescence, friendships, and relationships, all while preparing to stage a production of "High School Musical" for their school theater program.

How does the series use dual-focus narrative as a strategic storytelling tool beyond heteronormative romantic pairings?  and provide an example from one of the episode

"High School Musical: The Musical: The Series" explore a variety of themes, including identity, friendship, and non-heteronormative relationships, thus moving beyond traditional heteronormative romantic pairings. 

One prominent example of how HSMTMTS utilizes its dual-focus narrative to move beyond heteronormative romantic pairings is the portrayal of the character Carlos and his relationship with Seb. Carlos, the choreographer of the musical, and Seb, who plays Sharpay in their production of "High School Musical," share a sweet, evolving relationship throughout the series. In Season 1, Episode 5 ("Homecoming"), their relationship takes center stage when Carlos asks Seb to the homecoming dance. This episode not only highlights their relationship but also delves into themes of acceptance and self-expression. The homecoming dance scenario is used to showcase the normalcy and beauty of their relationship, challenging traditional norms and stereotypes.

What are the “inevitable” couplings within the series and how are they accentuated through “cinematic” similarities and contrasts? 

One of the most notable inevitable couplings is between Nini and Ricky, the series' central duo, whose relationship dynamics are reminiscent of Gabriella and Troy from the original "High School Musical" films. Their relationship is accentuated through various cinematic techniques, including musical numbers, parallel editing, and shared screen moments that highlight their chemistry and emotional connection.

In Season 1, the relationship between Nini and Ricky is a focal point, evolving from exes to friends to potentially more, mirroring the journey of Gabriella and Troy in the original films. This is particularly evident in episodes where their mutual feelings are explored through songs and performances, mirroring the way Gabriella and Troy express their feelings in the original movies.

A specific example can be found in the season finale, where Nini and Ricky finally confront their feelings for each other. The use of close-up shots, the emotional intensity of their dialogue, and the background music all serve to heighten the moment, making it reminiscent of key scenes between Gabriella and Troy. The cinematography employs a mix of tight close-ups and wide shots during their duet, highlighting their connection both as individuals and as a couple. The sequence contrasts their earlier interactions, where medium shots and separate frames might have emphasized their distance or conflict, showcasing their growth both individually and together.

How does the series use musical numbers within and beyond the narrative world to replicate fairy tale, backstage, or folk musicals? 

The essence of a backstage musical lies in its focus on the creation and production of a show, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the performers' lives, both personally and professionally. "High School Musical: The Musical: The Series" is a quintessential example of a backstage musical, as its primary storyline revolves around the students of East High staging a production of "High School Musical."

Example: Season 1, Episode 5 - "Homecoming"

An episode that includes the backstage musical elements is Season 1, Episode 5, titled "Homecoming." In this episode, the preparations for the musical intersect with the personal lives of the students, particularly focusing on the homecoming dance. The episode expertly weaves together the on-stage and off-stage dramas, highlighting the personal growth and challenges faced by the characters.

One of the key moments is when Ricky decides to make a grand gesture to win Nini back, using the backdrop of the musical and the homecoming event as his stage. This blending of the personal with the performative underscores the series' backstage musical theme, as the lines between the characters' real lives and their roles in the musical blur. The episode uses musical numbers not just for entertainment but as a means for character expression and plot development, showcasing the transformative power of performance and the personal stakes involved in putting on a high school musical.

[maddieladner1999]

Hsmtmts s4 e5 thoughts

Ok I know from promo pic we’re getting EJ yay!

Ricky is looking for EJ omg

Richard Bowen! Elton John! I love the name usage

There already doing the musical? That was fast

Kourtneys mom is so supportive!

EJ is an RA? I guess he’s paying his dues somehow since he’s cutoff

Acapella group? Love that

Birkenstocks EJ really?

Miss jenn called EJ I should’ve known

Ginas trying to find time to be in the musical

I really hate the G-Force nickname

“No is a complete sentence” yas girl quote the olsens

Ok so there filming all the scenes in a day?

Ooh it’s duet time for caswen

Throwing in some piano too? This is perfect

There so close to each other. I need them to kiss

Kourtney might be interested in Lewis collage after all

This montage of scenes is looking good

Quinn is posting to insta? That may not be good

Big red is back!

Big red is the one who seb cheated with? What?

It’s time for a chat between EJ and Ricky finally

I knew it’d be about existential problems

“We were at a Harry styles movie” lol

Bi origin story I like that

Ashlyn is coming out to big red now how cute

They did have a great breakup

Miss jenn and Carlos watching sad movies together is something I didn’t know I needed

Harper definitely helped out Kourtney with the school thing.

Ginas mom watched them today? Fun!

Is anyone showing up for rehearsal?

Oh no now Carlos knows it was big red and he’s still upset

Ashlyn is calling Maddox but Madison answered

Ricky and EJ had dinner together cute

Tough love time go EJ

An EJ and Ricky hug yes!

He’s giving Ricky a guitar?

Gina’s mom likes Mack more than Ricky

Kourtneys praying for college and a choir group comes in?

It’s giving the break up episode of glee right now

Ricky was bringing chocolates to Gina then saw Mack there no.

And he called EJ after omg the development

She told her mom it’s ok!

Second chance instrumental in the background?

No the musicals cancelled?

[2ndstringloser]

i think actually season four of hsmtmts will be good for me because ej will simply be in a silly goofy background character era instead of … whatever’s been going on recently

look at him!