Drama

2. Sub-Genres of Drama
• Biography- based on history, usually intense and serious, attempts to truthfully tell the story of a
person or group of people
• Courtroom- set in a courtroom, prosecutor, defendant, jury, witnesses, judge, life or death verdict
• Dramedy- dramatic events with elements of comedy, provides comic relief for the audience
• Historical- loosely based on real people and events, glorified societies, kings and queens, important
political figures, a specific era
• Melodrama- heightened emotions, pathos towards characters, more unrealistic than other dramas,
centres around a crisis.
• Period piece- often based off a novel, set in a specific era, longer running time
• Political- specifically about politics or the political scene, shows the harsh reality of politics,
conspiracy theories
• Romance- explores complex side of love, forbidden love, disapproval, fate
• Tragedy- fatal flaw, hubris, extraordinary circumstances, self-destruction, results in death or
degradation

3. Codes and Conventions
Dramatic Plot Driven
Drama
Emotive Story Character Development

4. Codes and Conventions
Conflict
(emotional or physical)
Exhibits real life
situations, stories and
characters
Realisation (for the
character or the
audience)
A seemingly normal
character living a
normal life before the
story begins
Drama

5. Iconography
Props
Guns
Alcohol
Drugs Technology
Natural
Lighting
Realistic
Settings
High-Key
Lighting
Natural colour
temperatures
Hard
Light

6. Similar Films