Drama conventions introduction
Films that are categorized under the genre drama all have similar points that can be recognized in all of them. Dramas are serious representations of real life or stories and do not include fantasy in the point, however sometimes directors will take an event and manipulate it with lots of small, made up events to make a genre. An example of this, is the 1999 film Titanic where the story was based around the titanic ship – a real life event- but the love drama was not real, and was just an add on to make a story. Dramas show emotion and events from a true point of view and (sometimes) dramatize them to make a story for the audience. They show raw emotions at their best, and worst.
Plot
Story lines that dramas usually centre around are as follows: Social dramas (relationship, families), Mental Illness, Alcoholism, Youth Rebellion, Race Relations, Civil Rights, Courtroom drama, War drama, sports drama, religious drama, literature drama. The plot will include aspects of realism, exaggerated and heightened emotions, there will be a protagonist that’s easy to relate to, and there will be a journey. Usually, dramas have a complex plot with lots of twists to keep people interested throughout, there will be lots of events going on, rather than one big dramatic event throughout the film. The plot of the drama is shown in the 'through-line' of the drama - its beginning, middle and end - although it doesn't have to be presented in a linear structure. The characters in a play are also part of the plot. The action of the drama consists in the events that the characters take part in as they act the play. The content of the drama lies in the themes it deals with.
Characters
The protagonist will be going through some physical or emotional journey; which at the end will either show a valuable lesson for the character or a resolution. Usually, protagonists are particularly unstable and vulnerable as they’re going through emotional journeys which are making things hard for them. The script writer will usually have the protagonist having to face a hard decision, for example; the 2013 drama ‘Gimme Shelter’ had the protagonist making a hard decision about whether to have an abortion or bring a child until the world when she was homeless.
Conventions for drama
Tone
The openings of dramas are there to set tones and a backstory for the rest of the film; the foundations of a drama largely rely on the beginning of the film. Like many other genres, in drama this may involve introducing main characters like the protagonist, antagonist, as well as setting and time period.
Contrast
The use of contrast in drama productions - e.g. stillness contrasted with activity, or silence contrasted with noise - is a useful way to focus the audience's attention. A drama being played with no change of pace or rhythm doesn't usually hold our interest, but most can be brought to life with the use of contrasting sights and sounds. An example of this contrast is a courtroom drama. First is the hustle of bringing in the prisoner with everyone d trying to see and hear the judge's declaration and then there's the sound of banging on the Judge’s desk and the resulting quiet before he pronounces the sentence.
Iconography
Dramas are produced to a great extent through the use of symbols - or representations - standing in for real things. Film directors often say, that dramas are best when information is shown, not told. Many of the following can be understood as symbols.
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props (e.g. a torn wedding photograph to represent a divorce)
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gestures (e.g. finger on lips as a symbol of silence)
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expressions (e.g. open mouth to represent surprise)
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costume (a white costume as a symbol of innocence)
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lighting (e.g. blue lighting to represent night-time)
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setting (dry ice vapor to represent a snowy wood)
Music
The music for a drama film would usually dominate the opening scenes as there would be little dialogue. Usually, music throughout a drama is persistent and a single piano or classical style of compositions. Very mellow music would be used in the opening. Below I have found a video of dramatic music which is commonly used a lot in films ranging from genres of drama, to action. It is important to remember that the whole song is not used, just snippets from the song. Sometimes in post production they will just use one song when editing but use different sections of the song to create effect.
The research I have done into Drama Conventions has helped me to understand what camera shots to use, how to base my plot, how to order iconography and much more. I now have a much clearer understanding of what codes and conventions I should be using when filming and editing my film. At the bottom of the page I have included our slideshow on what we have learnt.
Dramatic music that are often used in films.
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