The Magic Institution Series is a series of novels written by various authors that revolve around the theme of magical institutions or schools. These novels typically follow young protagonists who are enrolled in these institutions and learn to harness their magical abilities. The series draws inspiration from popular fantasy literature, such as J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, and explores various aspects of magic education, including spellcasting, potion-making, and magical creatures. Each novel in the series offers a unique take on the concept of magical institutions, with different settings and rules governing the use of magic.
With ‘Motown Magic,’ Netflix Brings Soul Music to a New Generation
Musical history has never been as accessible as it is in the streaming era. At the same time, it’s remarkably disposable: A recent study by the British Phonographic Industry revealed that music from the Sixties accounted for just 6.4% of all streams in the U.K. in 2017. Streamers prefer the recent past by a stunning margin: Music from the 2000s accounted for 60.4% of listening.
Numbers like that add urgency to the imperative to preserve the oldies, and that’s part of what drives the new Netflix show Motown Magic , which uses classic-era Detroit soul music as the basis for an animated children’s adventure series. “I want to make sure that in 10, 20 years, kids are still talking about this music,” says creator Josh Wakely. “It’s Shakespeare; it’s Dickens; it’s Tolstoy. It’s that good, and that’s the reason it stuck around.”
This is not Wakely’s first foray into merging classic baby-boomer tunes and children’s visual content: In 2016, Netflix premiered Beat Bugs , which wove Beatles songs into stories about insect characters. Both Beat Bugs and Motown Magic fit into Netflix’s growing library of original content aimed at younger viewers. “We have been a smaller division,” explains Melissa Cobb, VP of kids and family content for Netflix. “But over the last year, we’ve had a lot of growth because we recognize that so many of our members, about 60%, are watching what would be considered kids and family content. We want to make sure we have high quality shows for them.”
Smokey Robinson and creator Josh Wakely at Capitol Records working on the music for ‘Motown Magic.’ (Credit: Grace: a storytelling company) RICH POLK
The presence of the retro tunes doesn’t only help preserve the pop canon: the music also serves to attract parents. “They’re not necessarily songs that preschoolers know already, but they’re songs that parents really love and connect to,” Cobb says. “And it’s catchy music that the kids then love dancing and singing along too.”
Each novel in the series offers a unique take on the concept of magical institutions, with different settings and rules governing the use of magic. One common feature of the Magic Institution Series is the presence of a prestigious institution where the main characters attend classes and participate in magical tournaments or competitions. Often, these institutions are shrouded in mystery and secrecy, captivating readers' imaginations.
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Wakely had planned a Motown show as long as he planned a Beatles one. (He’s got something in the works with Bob Dylan’s music as well.) “I had success with Beat Bugs , [which won a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Writing in a Preschool Animated Program ], and I didn’t have to do another show,” Wakely says. “But I was passionate about this music. The theme of the show is that creativity is magic. It sounds trite, but Smokey [Robinson] and Berry Gordy transformed their community with creativity. And that’s in contrast to some other children’s shows that are more simplistic in their message.”
Putting together a program like this involves jumping formidable logistical hurdles. “The Beatles’ catalog is legendarily hard to get,” Wakely says. “But Motown it turns out is a little harder.” And in addition to the legal wrangling that is required to obtain the rights to the music, he wanted to have some of history’s greatest singers on his side. “We didn’t initially have Stevie Wonder‘s songs,” Wakely says. “So we had to go get his blessing.”
Wakely was also determined that he wouldn’t do the show if he didn’t have Smokey Robinson’s approval. “It was a big limb to go out on because I had spent a bunch of my money already, and I wasn’t going to do it unless he signed on. He came in, sat down, said, ‘Let’s do this,’ and we watched a bunch of animation. After he turned to me, gave me a big hug, and said, ‘This really matters to me.'” Robinson, who wrote, produced and sang on numerous Motown hits, also took the role of executive music producer.
In a typical episode of Motown Magic — like with most pre-school shows — the characters are presented with a challenge, something to overcome within an episode. Then, as Cobb explains, “through the magic of the music and the storytelling, they’re able to conquer that.”
In one episode, the character Angie, whose parents are divorced, tries to figure out how to go back in time to a happier period when her family was still together. Her attempts prove unsuccessful, but that’s OK — she comes to realize that time travel is not necessary, because, “I’m still their girl, and I always, always will be.” That happy sentiment ties loosely to the Temptations’ sunny hit “My Girl,” which vamps frequently throughout the episode.
Creator Josh Wakely (left), guitarist Ray Parker Jr., Executive Music Producer Smokey Robinson, and keyboardist Michael Bearden in the recording studio at Capitol Records working on the music for ‘Motown Magic.’ (Credit: Grace: a storytelling company)
Wakely assembled a fearsome band to recreate “My Girl” and other Motown hits, a group that included former Motown session guitarist Ray Parker Jr., Michael Bearden (onetime musical director for Michael Jackson), Don Was, a veteran bass player as well as a producer for Bonnie Raitt and the Rolling Stones, plus contemporary artists signed to Motown (Ne-Yo, BJ the Chicago Kid).
“The challenge was that [old Motown songs are] so iconic and perfect already, it’s hard to embellish on that,” Bearden says. “So we didn’t really try to. The great thing we had at our disposal was access to the original sessions, so we were able to hear, singled out, what the guys actually played. And Ray played on a lot of Motown records as a kid. He was able to talk about the original sessions.”
The series also delves into the personal growth and development of the main characters as they navigate the challenges and friendships that come with attending a magic institution. Themes of friendship, loyalty, and self-discovery are interwoven into the narratives, making for compelling and relatable storytelling. Furthermore, the Magic Institution Series explores the ethical implications of magic and the responsibility that comes with wielding such power. Characters often face dilemmas and must make difficult choices that have long-lasting consequences, adding depth and complexity to the stories. Readers of the Magic Institution Series are drawn to its engaging and immersive world-building, as well as the relatable and well-rounded characters. The series has gained a dedicated fanbase over the years, eagerly anticipating the release of each new installment. In conclusion, the Magic Institution Series offers readers a captivating and enchanting journey into the world of magic schools and the individuals who inhabit them. With its compelling narratives, richly imagined settings, and relatable characters, it continues to captivate readers, leaving them eagerly awaiting the next installment..
Reviews for "The History of Magic Institutions: From Ancient Times to the Present Day"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I was initially excited to read the Magic Institution series, as I am a fan of fantasy and magic-themed books. However, I found the whole series to be quite disappointing. The plot was predictable and lacked originality, while the characters felt one-dimensional and forgettable. Additionally, the writing style was underwhelming, with repetitive descriptions and mundane dialogue. Overall, I cannot say I enjoyed the Magic Institution series and would not recommend it to fellow fantasy enthusiasts.
2. Jason - 1 star - The Magic Institution series was a major letdown for me. The world-building was weak, with very little explanation or depth given to the magical system or the lore. This made it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story or care about the characters. Speaking of characters, they were incredibly cliché and lacked any real development or complexity. The pacing was also off, with long stretches of nothing happening followed by rushed and unsatisfying resolutions. Unfortunately, I found this series to be a forgettable and unenjoyable read.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I have read countless fantasy series, but the Magic Institution series failed to captivate me. The magic system was convoluted and inconsistently explained, making it hard to follow the plot or understand the characters' abilities. The romance in the series felt forced and lacked chemistry, while the action scenes were poorly executed and left much to be desired. Additionally, the dialogue was stilted and unrealistic, making it difficult to connect with the characters on any level. Overall, I was disappointed by the Magic Institution series and would not recommend it to others.