Conventions of the Genre Drama
-
Explores relationships
-
Has characters that audience can relate to
-
Climatic
-
Emotions
-
Tensions
-
Externa/Internal conflict
Story has limited number of characters, scenes and events that is tightly constructed which puts audience on the edge of their seats.
Emotions allows audience to feel what the characters are feeling in the story, it can bring tension, suspence and a climax.
Struggle between a character and outside forces this could be another character or the environment.
Internal conflict is the mental or emotion struggle that a character is having, therefore this could be about a character having difficulties.
Mise-en-scene
-
Dull lighting- to represent struggle and sad emotions
-
Props- Mobile, mirrors, Guns, Alcohol, Knifes, money etc
These are objects which usually cause conflict
for example:
-
mirrors may cause inner conflict
-
Guns cause death so as a result would cause conflict between the killer and the authorities and the victims family
-
-
Costume- casual clothing depending on the era it is supposed set in
for example:
-
Period Drama: old fashioned clothing; dress, suits, military uniform (war drama) and top hats etc
-
Teen Drama: Hoodies, Tracksuits, caps, trainers and possibly school uniform
Sound
-
Non-diagetic sounds are used to suit the mood of the scene and help the audience interpret the emotions the characters are feeling through monologues/voice overs/scores
-
Diagetic sounds are very important firstly because it allows the characters to directly say how they are feeling through dialogue.
-
It also creates realism through the use of ambient sounds
Editing
Continuity editing to express realism
Depending on the issue:
-
Fast pace editing- to portray the emotions of anxiety, panic, anger, excitement and fear.
Also for when there is a build of tension.
-
Slow pace editing- to portray sadness, relief, love, happiness and to build up suspense
Camera
-
Close ups of characters- show emotions clearly in facial expressions
-
Low angle and high angle shots- to portray strength and weaknesses amongst characters
Our Genre
Drama
-Usually relies on emotional development of realistic characters and dramatic themes taken from intense real life issues that people can relate to, therefore it aims to tell an honest story of human struggles.
Sub-genres of drama:
-
Biography: Serious and intense based on the life of a person or group of people and shows an accurate picture of the specific subject.
-
Courtroom: Uses the justice system as main component and usually unfolds inside a courtroom so tension plays a huge part in creating suspence for the outcome verdict.
-
Comedy (dramedy): Drama and comedy are usually balanced because the comedy provides comedic relief for the audience while still the drama still addresses serious issues.
-
Historical: Examines specific time in history or group of people and aims to portray true events and individuals. It ussually tends to focus on the more glorified societies e.g. Romans, Vickings etc
-
Melodrama: Heightened emotions of the audience and the plot are often more unrealistic than those found in the traditional drama film.
-
Political: Contains themes, characters and a plot specifically about politics and the political scene. It is mostly based on harsh reality of corruption in politics.
-
Romance: Explores the complex side of love where the plot centers on an obstacle that is preventing love between two people. e.g Disapproval, forbidden love, one' s psychological restrain.
-
Tradegy: Is about the self-destructive behaviour of the character in which the down fall of the individual is caused by a flaw within the character.