2. Drama films are without a doubt, one of the largest film genres as it can be applied to a wide range of sub genres. A dramatic film mostly relies on in-depth character development, interaction, and highly emotional themes. The reason for this is to keep the audience entertained and on their feet at all times. A Dramatic film is more of a serious film that shows us human beings at not just our best, but our worst. These films aim to make a connection with the audience, so that they can feel involved and relate to what is happening. Making the audience feel as if they have some sort of connection to the film gives a more likely chance that they will enjoy the film, and come back for more.
3. In order to make successful films, Dramatic films like all films, use many types of production techniques. The mise-en-scenes, such as lighting, set design, costume designs, and location contribute tremendously in telling these types of films. For example, the costume design plays a huge role in letting the audience know more about the characters and their historical period. For example, if a women character is wearing an old dress with a different type of pattern or material that covers almost her entire body, the audience can better infer that the story took place a while ago as many women in the past, did not show a lot of skin. Lighting is also important for setting the mood in these films. There are all sorts of lighting that can be used in dramatic films like for instance, the most commonly used, high key lighting and low key lighting. High key lighting is used when something happy or exciting is happening and of course, low key lighting which can be used when there is a plot twist and something goes wrong. Not to mention, that soft lighting can also be used to set a romantic mood. The set design and props that are in dramatic films really help in telling the story as it gives it a sense of realism. Dramatic films know that in order to really catch the audience's attention, it has to use props that relate to everyday life, such as alcohol, phones, and knives. Making the film seem as real as possible is what makes the audience want to come back for more. Another major technique is the location of these films as it helps the audience better understand the geography, culture, and once again, historical period. Camera shots and angles are critical in dramatic storytelling as it helps make the audience feel what the character is feeling. For example, high and low angles of close up shots are used a lot to show when a character is either vulnerable or really passionate about something. Lastly, color in dramatic films is significant as it also helps create the mood. For example, during a romantic scene, cool hues like violet, blue, and white might be used, but during a crisis, warm hues like red and orange are used.
4. Dramatic films like most films are marketed by trailers, posters, magazines, and talk shows. Trailers are probably the most popular ways that these dramatic films are advertised as it lets people see some sneak peaks of the movie by not completely spoiling it. Trailers are meant to let the viewers get a taste of what the film is about, but leaving them curious enough to wonder what happened next. Most of the covers advertising dramatic films, include the main characters and location. These sorts of films aim to have popular celebrities starring in them, so that when the film puts them on the front cover of a poster or magazine, the celebrities’ fans will be dying to see it. Talk shows are also used to have some of the cast members give their opinions about the film and tell the audience a little bit more about the film. Since there is a broad range of sub-genres, there really isn’t a main target audience, but for the more girly films, it is mostly women between ages 17-50, as it is easier to make an emotional attachment.
5. The Notebook (2004) - The Notebook is an epic love story about two people, Allie Nelson and Noah Calhoun, who as young teenagers, fell in love. What makes this film so interesting is that it goes back and forth to what is happening in the present and to what happened in the past. This allows the audience to have a better understanding of not just the character development, but the story development. The costume and setting design in this film like all drama films, plays a crucial role in telling the story, as it lets the audience know which parts of the movie took place a while ago and what took place in the present. The main character Noah can be found a white shirt with suspenders, and trousers that teenagers in the past usually wore. The other main character, Allie, can be found wearing a blue dress that covers her shoulder and knees, as it was common to wear that as a teenage girl. The props in the film, like the letters also help as this was the main way people in the past communicated, unlike today where they use phones. The lighting and color in this movie changes many times, to show the different moods of the story. For instance, in the beginning when Allie and Noah are experiencing their happy moments, high key lighting and bright colors are used, but towards the middle when they fight and break up, low key lighting and dark colors are used. The location of the film is important as it was Noah and Allie’s childhood town where they fell in love. The extreme close ups in this film are essential as it shows the characters at their most vulnerable moments, like for instance, when Noah was telling Allie that it was her life and her choice.
6. Charlie St. Cloud (2010) - The film Charlie St. Cloud is a perfect example of a dramatic film. This film takes place in a small town in Vancouver, where Charlie and his brother, Sam, grew up. The location is important in this film as it is where Charlie got in the car accident that killed his brother. The props in this film, like the baseball and the baseball gloves are crucial as they are what keep Charlie and Sam connected. Everyday Charlie and Sam, meet at a specific time in the woods, to play baseball, as it is the only time Charlie can see his dead brother, Sam. The costume design plays a huge part in storytelling as it gives the audience more information about the characters, like for example, the clothes they wear suggests that this movie did not take a place a while ago, since the characters are wearing clothes you would see nowadays. Also, Charlie changes clothes everyday, unlike Sam who wears the same clothes he had on the night of the accident, reminding the audience that Sam is dead. The lighting and color in this film also changes as the plot advances. For instance, in the beginning when Charlie and Sam get into the car accident, low key lighting and dark colors are used, but when they meet everyday to play baseball as if nothing happened, high key lighting and bright colors are used. Shots and angles in this film are significant as well. A numerous amount of long shots and close ups are used in this film, like for example when Charlie and Sam are playing baseball and talking about their day. Lastly, high angles are used a lot towards the end to show Charlie in a vulnerable moment, as he has to pick between his brother and his girlfriend.
7.
Buffam, N. (2011, March 15). Drama. Retrieved from https://thescriptlab.com/screenplay/genre/952-drama/
By. (n.d.). Symbolic Use of Props in Film. Retrieved from https://thedramateacher.com/symbolic-use-of-props-in-film/
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.filmsite.org/dramafilms.html
