Genre Research - Drama

1.     Genre – Drama

2.     Genre Conventions – production techniques

The plotlines of TV and film drama productions typically attempt to convey realistic storylines surrounding an event, occurrence, etc. in an authentic way. This method of presenting the narrative in an emotional way allows the audience to sympathizes with the characters and their stories. Thus, fulfilling the purpose of the drama – to invoke compassion from the viewers and build personal ties to the audience enticing the desire to keep watching.

The timeline of a drama genre tends to gradually build as the story progresses. There are often moments of tension and conflict that all counterbalance with climactic and anticlimactic parts of the plot. This back and forth play of content of is done purposely to keep the audience in a constant state of entertainment, curiosity, and interest.

The endings of a drama are intended to leave a lasting impression on the audience. This impression tends to be serious and sending an important message relating to the story. For instance, take the ending of season 2 of the Netflix Original, “Thirteen Reasons Why”. The last episode not only shows one of the male characters being raped, but also depicts that this causes said character to attempt a school shooting.

Common Characteristics of the Drama Genre:

- Difficulties

- Tension between relationships

- Inner hardships-
- Emotional, physical, and mental abuse/pain

- Life struggles

Here's an interesting video that sums up the various traits of a Drama production -

3. Genre Conventions – production technique

Dramas tend to focus on conveying emotion in different physical ways. Character representation in regards to costume design is essential in the process of doing so. For instance, if a bubbly, amicable character is going through a loss in her family, her outfits may change into a gloomier look. This technique also considers color schemes; so, if the character is depressed, the set design and camera filters of each scene may have darker lighting, use darker tones (such as dark blue hues), and represent/reciprocate the feelings of each character.  

Trailers that market Drama films tend to be mysterious and create an atmosphere of ambiguity to the plot/what the character may be going through. Additionally, they provide minimal detail of the story, but just enough that allude to the main characters conflict in the narrative. Serious/dramatic non-diegetic music may play in the background of a Drama and common shots used can include close-ups/slow zooms/extreme close ups to allow the audience to get a more personal aspect of the story/people of the story.

Film Sample #1

“The Help”

This film embodies the genre of drama as it focuses on the struggles of African American Women back in the 1960s during the period of the Civil Rights Movement. In the narrative, a white woman named Eugenia aka “Skeeter” builds relationship with two black maids – Minny and Aibileen – while anonymously writing a novel based on “the help”. Skeeter ends up publishing her book revealing the constant discrimination, mistreatment, and oppression that these colored women face at the hands of their employers. The plot, although slow, sporadically shows the increasing tension of the maids and their employers while very beautifully and very emotionally (I cried 3 times) allowing the audience to better understand the lives of those oppressed.  

Film Sample #2

“American Beauty”

This film embodies the genre of drama as it follows the “midlife crisis” of a 42-year-old father, Lester Burnham. Burnham who begins the story by stating that he ends up dead entices the audience to watch closely as he lives out the last year of his life. While doing so, Lester constantly fantasies about his teenage daughter’s best friend, Angela. The overall obsessive inner monologue and depressive atmosphere allows the views to get a better understanding of the main character’s inner conflict and what leads to his death.

List of other drama film productions:

- Moonlight 

-  La La Land

-  Forrest Gump 

- Whiplash

-  The Shawshank Redemption

    

 

Work Cited 

Burton, N. (1970, January 01). Group 14. Retrieved from http://bca2media2013group14.blogspot.com/2012/09/conventions-of-drama-genre.html

FarjanaTahmin Follow. (2011, October 22). Conventions of Drama Films. Retrieved from https://www.slideshare.net/FarjanaTahmin/conventions-of-drama-films

(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.studyit.org.nz/subjects/english/english3/2/subjectcontent/dramaproduction.html