The document discusses conventions of drama films like The Shawshank Redemption and The Freedom Writers through analyzing scenes, characters, music, costumes and how they inspire opening sequences. Key aspects highlighted include using lighting and shots that reflect the mood, appealing to the target audience, and ensuring costumes and music are appropriate for the setting and time period.

1. Assignment #5
By Rahel

2. DRAMA

3. The Shawshank Redemption
 American drama film
 Released in 1994
 A man gets sent to prison after being wrongly accused
of murdering his wife.

4. Aerial shot.
Denotation: a man
standing in the rain with his
arms outstretched
Connotation: escape,
freedom, relief,
perseverance
Drama genre conventions:
serious, realistic settings and life-
situations.
Target Audience: males with
determination
Lighting: dark to reflect on the
distressing and emotional mood
of the film.
This scene has inspired me to: ensure the lighting in my opening sequence
reflects the mood, ensure my opening sequence meets the film convention,
use relevant shots for the scene in my opening sequence.

5. The escape scene
Not very clear
– abandoned
Dark area of prison
background –
only Andy is
visible.
Camera paces with
character creating tension

6. Character Representations
Red: Narrator, convicted murder, writes
story to understand friendship with Andy.
His character represents wisdom and
courage.
Andy: A banker spending 28 years in
prison. Escapes at the age of 58. His
character represents perseverance.

7. Music
 Music played throughout the film is dark piano
representing the sadness throughout the film.
 Attracts modern audiences as it is played in the trailers
of many inspirational drama films.
Costumes
•Worn out shirts, baggy trousers and caps;
basic clothing. This reflects on the setting
(1980s, prison).

8. Music and Costume Inspiration
 Ensure music appeals to target audience and genre
 Ensure costume reflects on setting and time period

9. The Freedom Writers
 A drama based true movie teacher
 Released in 2007
 Teacher who inspires unprivileged children

10. Denotation: a happy teacher
and a group of happy students
Connotation: bad
circumstances can turn around
and have a happy ending; hope.
Lighting: very bright to reflect
on the happy and content
atmosphere.
Drama conventions: two people
with serious expressions on their
faces. Realistic setting (school),
real life situation (getting told off
by a teacher)
Target audience: boys and girls,
late teens – mid twenties.

11. Music/Costumes
 As the film is modern, the music is also modern which
appeals to the target audience; teenagers, young
adults.
 The clothing worn by all characters in the film are very
modern because it is set in recent times. Their clothing
is similar to the target audience’s.
 This makes it easier for the audience to put themselves
in the character’s situation.

12. Inspiration
 The film inspires me to make sure my characters
opening sequence symbolise something, which will
hopefully inspire my audience.
 It has also inspired me to have my target audience in
mind when making any decision about my sequence.

13. The Devil Wears Prada
 A comedy-drama film
 Released in 2006
 A college-graduate who gets a job in a high demanding
fashion magazine.

14. Denotation: a woman
Connotation: confidence, courage
and feminism.
Camera angle: camera focuses on
the lady to suggest to the audience
that she is the main character.
Lighting: toned down and
sophisticated to make the lady stand
out and compliment her.
Drama convention: a situation the audience
can relate to (workplace; rude boss)
Target audience: females; teenagers and adults.
Clothes and accessories audience will be familiar
with. Working ladies will be familiar with the
busy atmosphere in the work place.

15. The Transformation Scene
Establishing
shots
Two shot Reaction shot

16. Character representation
 Andy - ‘the clever one’ through costume
and props
 Lack of fashion knowledge
• Miranda – cold hearted and hard to
please
•No sympathy from audience

17. Costume/Music
 Costume -most key parts
 fashion-based film so all the clothing is designer
(Prada, Chanel)
 Based around the setting, time period and audience.
 Music - modern and classic which reflects on her work
place and life style.

18. Inspirations
 This film has inspired me to:
 Make sure I know my target audience thoroughly so I
match every aspect to them.
 To consider costume and music, and to remember that
it’s also a big part to a film.