An introduction to the generic codes and conventions of a Drama

1. •Mise-En-Scene
•Typical Props
•Typical Characters
•Typical Settings
•Typical Costumes
•Film Examples
•Typical Actors/Actresses
•Promotional Package Conventions
•Institutional Details-Budget, Films Etc

2.  Dull Lighting (Portrays gritty and bleak nature)
 Close ups of characters
 Low Angle and High angle shots- to portray strength and
weakness amongst characters.
 Clear shots and angles show different groups within the
cast (Teen Drama)
These bullet points above show what the mise-en-scene is
typically during Drama/Teen Drama films. For example in
Kidulthood (a good example for the type of film we are
researching) the weaker girl is shown by a high angle looking
down on her and the bully is shown with a low angle to portray
the strength and power of the bully. Also the lighting in
Drama/Teen Drama’s are important as it show’s the gritty side of
Drama/Teen Drama which is vital to our project.

3.  Alcohol
 Drugs
 Guns
 Knifes
 Mobile Phones
These props mentioned are typical to the type of gritty drama/Teen
Drama we are aiming for as in many films such as Elephant and
Kidulthood, these props can be seen clearly in the film. We will take
these props in consideration and will use some of these props in our
project.

4.  Focus on the one character, whether it be Male or Female- e.g:
 Trevor (Kidulthood)
 Sam (Adulthood)
 Lester (American Beauty)
 Love Interest- e.g:
 Alisa (Kidulthood)
 Angela (American Beauty)
 Lexi (Adulthood)
 Villain- e.g.:
 Sam (Kidulthood)
 Jay/Sam (Adulthood)
 Frank ( American Beauty)
This characters are crucial to a
Drama/Teen Drama as they help to create
the tension and atmosphere of the film due
to the circumstances they are facing. As
well as the characters above, another
typical character seen in Drama/Teen
Dramas is the friend that the main
character confides in. For our project we
will try to incorporate these characters into
the trailer as well as adding other
characters.

5.  Teen Drama:
 Close knit locations
 E.G. Council Estates,
 Flats,
 Ghetto’s,
 School
 Streets of neighborhood.
 Gritty Drama:
 Run Down Houses,
 Flats,
 Estates
 Workplace For the type of Drama/Teen Drama that our
group are going to portray, these
locations/settings are the type that is vital to our
drama as we are going for a gritty look.

6.  Gritty Drama’s: Worn out, torn, dirty hand me down clothing.
 Period Drama: Old fashioned clothing e.g. Dress’s, suits, Military
uniform’s, depending on ear e.g. Atonement is in the 1930’s during
the second world war.
 Teen Drama: Hoodies, Tracksuits, Caps, bandana’s, Chains,
trainers, t-shirts. School Uniform’s

7.  Adulthood
 Kidulthood
 Elephant
 Paranoid Park
 American Beauty
 Requiem for a Dream
 Quadrophenia
These films are the type of Drama/Teen
Drama that we are trying hoping to create
as each of them focus’s in particular on one
character and how different circumstances
affect them and how they deal with the
gritty, bleak side of life.

8.  Noel Clarke (1)
 Kevin Spacey (2)
 Gabe Nevins (3)
 Tom Hanks (4)
 Alex Frost (5)
 Sean Penn (6)
 Ellen Burstyn (7)
 Kate Winslet (8)
 Red Madrell (9)
(1) (2)
(3) (4)
(5) (6)
(7) (8)(9)
These Actors/Actresses are all known for being in
Drama/Teen Drama films. While some are much
more recognisable such as Tom Hanks, Sean Penn,
Kate Winslet and Kevin Spacey, there are also quite
unknown Actors/Actresses such as Gabe Nevins,
Noel Clarke, Red Madrell, Alex Frost and Ellen
Burstyn. In many of these Actors/Actresses films,
they are narrating the film and the film focus’s on
them are how they react to gritty and bleak
circumstances.

9. Source: Slide share-
Drama Presentation

10. Source: Slide share-
Drama Presentation