Creative Research
Drama Films

Drama genre
A drama film should make the audience feel highly emotional- through
relating to the characters.
This film genre depends mostly on the in-depth development of
realistic characters and dealing with emotional themes. Acting has to
be very naturalistic films that wouldn’t be classed as ‘drama’ Sin
City, as the film its self isn't believable.
drama is the most broad of movie genres and includes subgenres most
of the time, romantic drama, period dramas, historicised
dramas, crime dramas and biopics.
The centre of a drama film is usually a character or characters who are
in conflict at a crucial moment in their lives.

History of drama films
Early 1950’s cinema was more melodrama as the transition from silent films, making cinema more pantomime
like.
Actors like Marlon Brando (a streetcar named desire-1951, The god father-1972) Brando had a significant
impact on film acting, and was the foremost example of the "method" acting style. Influenced by Stanislavski
and naturalistic acting.
A Streetnamed Car Desire- is considered a pivotal film in this development from melodrama to naturalistic films
By the late 1970s, melodrama was nearly finished as an overt genre, as the hunger for realism dominated film
in ground-breaking movies like Martin Scorsese's Mean Streets.1973
"culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."
The 1960s brought politically driven dramas focusing on war, such as Judgment at Nuremberg (1961- focusing
on the holocaust and post ww2), Flashback (1969- Italian film won golden globe, effects of war on man)
During the 1970s, modern dramatic directors made some of their first films. Francis Ford Coppola directed The
Godfather (1972)
In the 1980s, dramatic film put emphasis on highly emotional themes. The Color Purple (1985) were full
character studies of African American culture and history. Drama, with a science fiction edge was a theme
when Steven Spielberg directed E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
During the 1990s, Goodfellas (1990) took a gritty, hard-edged look at mob crime. The Shawshank Redemption
(1994), which was set inside a prison, had strong themes of hope, as did the Holocaust-themed Schindler's List
(1993).
In 2000’s biopics like walk the line (Johnny cash), and milk (Gay activist) Despite the drop on popularity of the
romantic dramas, some of them have enjoyed big box office and critical success, as the controversial Brokeback
Mountain (2005) for example, that won several awards and Slumdog Millionaire (2008) is a critically acclaimed
romantic drama film that has been nominated for ten Academy Awards, and went on to win eight of
them, including Best Picture.
Drama films have been nominated frequently for the academy award (particularly best picture) more than any
other film genre.

Conventions of a drama film
• There has to be peaks and troths in the storyline. The characters must be easily accessible for the
audience (they must be easy to relate to) There is some form of realisation at the end of the film It
is important that the main character has clear relationships to themselves and other people in the
film. Realistic storylines
• audiences attention, and make them become emotionally attached to the action what is going on in
the film. To do this they structure the films to have climaxes and anti-climaxes so that there are
peaks and troths in the tension. storylines Some form of journey
• Exhibits real life situations with realistic characters, settings, and stories Portrays journeys of
character development Intense social interaction Purpose of a dramatic story line
• A comedy drama this isn't is shows real life like 50/50 where a man has cancer and there's a high
percentage he may die but, they add a comedy side to making it more light hearted.
• Explores relationship Resolution Characters that audience can relate to Climactic Tension Emotions
External conflict Internal conflict
• External Conflict In Drama external conflict is the struggle that occurs in the story for a
character, therefore it could be a struggle between a character and outside forces, this is could be
another character or the environment
• Internal Conflict In Drama internal conflict is the mental or emotional struggle that a character is
having, therefore this could be about a character having difficulties to accepting that one of their
beloved had died to the fact that they have some kind of illness and they don’t accept it

Steven Spielberg
Iconic directors
The color purple (1985) character studies of African American culture and history
Schindlers list (1993) A German businessman turns his factory into a refuge during ww1 by hiring Jewish employers.
Catch me if you can (2002) American biographical comedy-drama film based on the life of Frank
Abagnale, Jr., who, before his 19th birthday, successfully performed cons worth millions of dollars.
-He has been nominated for six Academy Awards for the category of Best Director, winning two of them (Schindler's List
and Saving Private Ryan)
Protagonists in his films often come from families with divorced parents, with fathers portrayed as reluctant, absent or
irresponsible, most notably in ET: the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) (Elliot's mother is divorced and father is absent) and Catch
Me If You Can (2002) (Frank Abagnale's mother and father split early in the film). This reflects Spielberg's own experience
as a youth with his parents breaking up. Drama films realistic turning everyday problems into film.
Frank Darabont
The green mile (1999) The film is an adaptation of a novel by Steven King, the film is told in a flashback format, it tells a
story of Paul and his life on death row as a correction officer during the great depression in the united states, and the
supernatural events he witnessed by one inmate.
Shawshank redemption (1994) The film tells the story of Andy Dufresne, a banker who spends nearly 20 years in
Shawshank State Prison for the murder of his wife and her lover despite his claims of innocence. During his time at the
prison, he befriends a fellow inmate, Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding, and finds himself protected by the guards after the
warden begins using him in his money laundering operation.
-Darabont became famous after making good on the deal with Stephen King by writing and directing The Shawshank
Redemption, for which he was nominated for a Best Adapted Screenplay at the 1995 Academy Awards. The film was also
nominated for six other Academy Awards including Best Picture.
After a five-year break, Darabont returned to the screen with the well-received The Green Mile, a film he
directed, scripted and produced. Like The Shawshank Redemption, this film is also based on a Stephen King work. The
film was nominated for the Oscar for Best Picture and Darabont was nominated for his second Academy Award for Best
Adapted Screenplay. Lots of drama films are adaptations of novels.
Sam mendes, directed critically acclaimed American beauty.

Conventions of a film poster
-To be eye catching.
-A focal picture .
-Displaying a large picture that is easily read.
-Suggestion of the film genre.
-Use of famous actors
-Will attract a target audience.
-Tag line is usually evidence.
-Coming soon or realise date displayed, age certificate.
Conventions of a drama film poster.
The main focus is usually the character
It will have some relevance to the film but sometimes it is not very relevant.
The back ground is usually scenery