Isa's Media Studies Blog: Genre Research-Drama

Genre Conventions-Content

Drama films are created to represent a realistic scenario. This includes realistic characters and settings. Through the use of social interaction, it shows how the characters develop. They do this while simultaneously keeping the audience engaged. Their overall goal is to get the audience emotionally attached by creating a bond with relatable characters. This increases engagement and tension throughout the film, especially at the climax. They also tend to address current problems that the world is facing at the moment.

"The Hate You Give"

In the movie "The Hate You Give," they create a connection with the main character, following the genre conventions presented. Not only this but this film is a social drama. Meaning that the main idea of the film is to address the problem with the police and prejudice. Through the use of a strong connection and several obstacles, the message of the movie is supposed to have a bigger impact on the viewer and allow them to be more aware of the issue on an everyday basis.

Genre Conventions-Production Techniques

This genre relies heavily on the use of climaxes and anticlimaxes. This is used to keep the audience emotionally attached. Through different depictions of pain, difficulty, hardships, and struggles, it would make the audience emotionally attached. By creating this emotional attachment, it allows there to be tension present. Another common technique used is to have some form of realization at the end, usually a happy ending. This allows the audience to have a sense of relief after going through the plot with several conflicts.

Example: Jack saying his last word to Rose in "Titanic:

In the movie “Titanic,” it challenges the drama genre conventions. Drama movies typically end with some type of revelation or happy ending. In this case, one of the main characters, Jack (Rose’s lover) ends up dying in the ocean. Although they did not follow all drama conventions, they did create an emotional attachment between the viewer and characters allowing the ending to be impactful, and the movie to be successful as a whole.

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