2. Why Drama?
As a group, we decided that the most appropriate genre for our production would be a
psychologically-based drama film. We believed that this genre was most fitting as we
are all familiar with independently made British drama films and all agree that some of
the most interesting and memorable films in recent years have been British made
drama films, such as ‘This is England’, ‘Kidulthood’ and ‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking
Barrels’.
Also, the fact that many drama films are based on people our age of 16-17 and living in
an urbanised area means we will be able to relate to the narrative and could put our
own interpretations into our production. It also means our production will be
considerably more practical to film, compared to if we were to do an action film.
Furthermore, casting will be made easier if our narrative is based around someone our
age.
3. Conventions of a Drama Film
In terms of ideologies, a convention of a British independently made drama film is to to
contradict stereotypical and traditional ideologies that would be promoted in a mass market,
conglomerate produced film, due to the niche target audience they are made to attract.
Some of the most commonly used ideologies that drama films contradict are the stereotype
that people from a poor background are ill-mannered and have no positive contribution to
society, and that people who grow up on a council estate are common and disrespectful.
Drama films tend to be very conventional regarding the mise-en-scene of the film. These
conventions include low-key-lighting, to reinforce the pessimistic and dark nature of the
narrative. Other conventions concerning the mise-en-scene include
• Urban setting
• Council estates
• Dull/grey weather
• Public transport
• Violence
• Drug use
4. Conventions of a Drama Film
Drugs and violence are also commonly used in drama films. They are often used to
emphasize the desperation of the character.
Shot types such as close ups are also commonly used in drama movies. They are used to
highlight the importance the character has over the narrative and the fact that the narrative
is based around the character.
Camera movement such as tracking is also used to suggest the journey the character is
experiencing.
Drama films also usually have a non-diegetic soundtrack throughout the film. This is used to
highlight the narrative in which the character is going through.
5. Hybrids of Drama
As drama can cover a large range of different types of narratives, writers and
directors often see it important to integrate the genre of drama with a
different genre, as they may feel simply having drama as a genre is too
vague.
Some of the most famous examples of drama hybrids are:
• Four Lions – Drama and Comedy
• Starred Up – Drama and Crime
• Kidulthood – Drama and Social Realism
• Billy Elliot – Drama and Musical
6. As a result of post-modern influences, it has become conventional for a drama
movie to not have a new equilibrium at the end. This is demonstrated in many
recently made British drama films, such as This Is England and Kidulthood, as it
attracts the niche and sophisticated target audience. It also highlights the sense of
realism in the genre.
In terms of characters, the main protagonist is usually disturbed and going through
or trying to come out of some kind of mental trauma they have experienced.
Furthermore, the character types are usually not as obvious in an independently
made drama movie, as the active audience are made to contemplate and consider
the character types.
Interestingly, even though the main theme of This Is England is the malicious
nature of violence, Sean Meadows avoids a brutal display of violence throughout
the film. This highlights the fact that drama films are targeted for a sophisticated
audience, as they appreciate violence is not needed for it to be a dominant theme.
