Drama

Drama

Drama is a genre intended to entertain an audience while utilizing real life-like issues and bringing them to film with great performances and an interesting plot. 

Genre Conventions - Content

The film genre of Drama includes very serious performances usually representing real life. Showing emotion and presenting dramatic situations is a very big part of films in this genre. There is a protagonist who very realistic and is in a realistic sitation whether the conflict is with themselves, others, or other forces. A dramatic film focuses on the best and worst of a character and often times heighten the seriousness of the event. These films, along with that, usually have to do with social issues.  Because of their seriousness, these films are highly respected. 

Genre Conventions - Production Techniques

A great factor in Drama is that they are very serious. What adds to this seriousness is the use of lighting and the very realistic mise-en-scene. Although these films are not always based on real events, real issues, situations, and looks from everyday life is added in costumes, makeup, production design, and setting. Long close-up scenes are very evident in drama films as it is a way to add concentration and mimic real-life conversations or situations as well as heighten the seriousness of the scene. These scenes are also a way for the audience to pay attention to detail. Colors and lighting on screen tend to be a bit more dim but does not define if a film is dramatic or not. Drama films vary in the period of time they are placed in, thus meaning that props and clothing may vary the same. But overall despite the time period, everything on screen is usually as close to real life objects as possible.

Film Sample #1

A Star Is Born (2018)

This is one of the many great examples of a drama film. Throughout the film, the mise-en-scene including the set and costumes were all very realistic and a perfect example of what that life is like in the real life. The lighting in certain scenes adds to the drama. The shots consisted of a lot of close-ups which made the scene more personal and intimate, which are keys in making a drama film. Ally's life as a singer, although rare, depicts that life exactly how it is in reality. This film also touches on the serious issue of alcoholism and substance abuse, both of which are very real and present issues in society.

Film Sample #2

Lady Bird (2017)

This film shows the subgenre of coming of age films. This film shows a unique story about Lady Bird growing up and her relationship with her mother. The representation of her lower-income household is very realistic. What adds to this part of her life is the mise-en-scene of her house and her clothing. The film shows the struggle of her father's unemployment very well. At the same time, she is applying for colleges and the overall content shows the realistic life of a teenager that many go through. 

Call Me By Your Name (2017)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5726616/

Moonlight (2016)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4975722/

Titanic (1997)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120338/

Forrest Gump (1994)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109830/

Dunkirk (2017)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5013056/