Drama is a genre of film or television programming that tells a serious story focused on realistic characters and emotional struggles. It aims to depict realistic situations, settings, and conflicts. Some key characteristics of drama films include a realistic narrative, normal locations, simpler camerawork and editing to enhance realism, and a focus on serious dramatic themes like addiction, prejudice, or family conflicts. The genre allows audiences to relate to everyday problems and find hope in difficult situations through an honest portrayal of human struggles.

1. GENRE ANALYSIS
DRAMA
A category of artistic composition, as in music or
literature, characterized by similarities in form, style,
or subject matter.

2. In the context of film and television, drama is a type of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than
humorous in tone, focusing on in-depth development of realistic characters who must deal with realistic emotional struggles. A
drama in this context is commonly considered the opposite of a comedy, but may also be considered distinct from other works of
some broad types of literature, such as a fantasy.
To distinguish drama, in this narrower sense, from the broader use of the same word to mean the general storytelling mode of
live performance, the word "drama" is often included as part of a phrase to specify its meaning. For instance, in the sense of a
television genre, more common specific terms are a "drama show", "drama series", or "television drama" in the United States;
"dramatic programming" in the United Kingdom; or "tele drama" in Sri Lanka. In the sense of a type of film, the common term is
a "drama film". The term "the drama" refers to "the dramatic branch of literature; the dramatic art".
It is this narrow sense that the film and television industry and film studies adopted to describe "drama" as a type of film within
their respective media.

3. Dramatic themes such as alcoholism, child abuse, drug addiction, infidelity, moral dilemmas,
racial prejudice, religious intolerance, sexuality, poverty, class divisions and corruption put
characters in conflict with themselves, others,society, or even natural phenomena.
At the center of a drama is usually a character or characters who are in conflict at a crucial
moment in their lives. They often revolve around families; movies like Ordinary People dig under
the skin of everyday life to ask big questions and touch on the deepest emotions of normal
people. Dramas often, but not always, have tragic or at least painful resolutions and concern the
survival of some tragic crisis, like the death of a family member. Drama is one of the broadest
movie genres and includes subgenres such as romantic drama, war films, sport films, period
drama, courtroom drama and crime. The young characters must deal with the dramatic ups and
downs of their friendships and romances while facing an array of issues thought to be typical of
adolescence.

4. Drama Film Examples:
The Shawshank Redemption - A former banker convicted of murdering his wife develops a lifelong friendship with a fellow
prisoner, and ultimately tries to defy the odds by keeping hope alive inside prison walls.
The Godfather - The aging patriarch of an organized crime circle must secure the future of his family’s empire by leaving it in the
hands of his reluctant son.
Casablanca - A jaded nightclub owner must choose whether or not to help his ex-lover and her husband flee Nazi-occupied
Morocco.

5. DRAMA Sub-genres:
Biography:
A Biography drama incorporates dramatic elements into a biographical film. These films differ from Historical and “based in
truth” films because they specifically chronicle the life of a person or a group of people. Biography films attempt to show a
comprehensive and accurate picture of the specific subject, thus they tend to be serious and intense.
Examples: Ray, Monster, Blow.
Courtroom:
Courtroom drama film uses the justice system as a main component of the plot. The story usually unfolds inside a courtroom
with the prosecutor, judge, jury, and the defense. Tension plays a large part in courtroom dramas as the verdict can often mean
life or death.
Examples: A Few Good Men, To Kill a Mockingbird, 12 Angry Men.
Dramedy:
Dramedy film is a genre that has a dramatic tone yet important elements of comedy. In Dramedy film, the amount of drama and
comedy are almost equally balanced. This balance provides comedic relief for the audience, while still addressing serious issues.
Examples: Little Miss Sunshine, The Royal Tenenbaums, Lost in Translation.
Historical:
Historical is a sub-genre of Drama film that examines a specific time in history or group of people. Many Historical films aim to
portray true events and people. However, most Historical films are only loosely based on these events and people. These films
tend to focus on the more glorified societies and people in history such as the Romans, specific Kings and Queens, or important
political figures.
Examples: 300, Frost/Nixon, Hotel Rwanda.

6. Melodrama:
Melodrama film is a sub-genre that appeals to the heightened emotions of the audience. The plot and characters often are more
unrealistic than those found in the traditional drama film. Melodramas usually cater towards a female audience and tell a story
that centers on a great crisis and a heroic protagonist.
Examples: The Bridges of Madison County, Steel Magnolias, Sophie’s Choice.
Period Piece:
Period Piece is a sub-genre of Drama film that focuses on a specific time era. The era in which the film is set adds not only to the
plot, but to the characters and costumes as well. A Period Piece films are often based on a novel. These films tend to have a
longer run time than traditional Dramas.
Examples: Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Romeo and Juliet.
Political:
Political drama film contains themes, characters, and a plot specifically about politics and the political scene. The main
protagonist is often at odds with the harsh reality of corruption in politics. Many Political Dramas are based in fact but focus on
exploring conspiracy theories.
Examples: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Wag The Dog, The Manchurian Candidate

7. Romance:
Romantic Drama film is a genre that explores the complex side of love. The plot usually centers on an obstacle that is preventing
love between two people. The obstacles in Romantic Drama film can range from a family's disapproval, to forbidden love, to
one's own psychological restraints. Many Romantic Dramas end with the lovers separating because of the enormity of the
obstacle, the realization of incompatibility, or simply... fate.
Examples: Romantic Drama film include Titanic, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Dr. Zhivago.
Tragedy:
Tragedy Drama is a genre wherein the downfall of the character is caused by a flaw within the character. While Tragedy Dramas
sometime put the character in extraordinary circumstances, this genre is really about the self-destructive behavior of the
character. The flaws of the character come to a head and ultimately result in death or other form of degradation.
Examples: American Beauty, Death of a Salesman, The Great Gatsby.

8. SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF THE GENRE:
Lighting: Low key
Storyline: Mainly sad and depressing with a realistic narrative however despite the gloomy
outlook, there is some sense of hope in the storyline.
Locations/sets: Usually normal and realistic locations, eg; school (for teen-drama).
Editing/Camera work: Usually simpler camera work and editing compared to action and sci-fi
films. There is usually no CGI or animation used, and the camera is also used in a way to make
the whole scenario look realistic and natural, complimenting the narrative.

9. WHY I CHOSE THIS GENRE:
Last year, I wanted to create something surreal and dreamy, for the audience to be able to
escape from the real world. This year however, I wish to present the opposite, something
realistic, something the audience can relate to, the problems of everyday and for it to be able to
give the audience some sort of hope about life. While Drama film relies heavily on this kind of
development, dramatic themes play a large role in the plot as well. Often, these dramatic
themes are taken from intense, real life issues. Whether heroes or heroines are facing a conflict
from the outside or a conflict within themselves, Drama film aims to tell an honest story of
human struggles.