Media Studies Portfolio

Drama films are usually a realistic representation with a setting or a situation that show realistic characters in conflict with either others, nature, or themselves. A drama film shows the characters at their best, worst, and in between both. Each specific drama has a subject-matter theme with various kinds of dramatic plots. Drama films usually include current problems, concerns or injustices such as drug addiction or poverty. Drama films usually have a more serious tone compared to other genres.For example, crime drama is a drama built around character development based on themes involving criminals, law enforcement and the legal system. These films use popular interests to draw attention. Drama films portray journeys of character development.

Drama films work together with visual and oral techniques in order to support the way the director wants to interpret the writer's idea. Drama films have a steady build up with tension and determined climaxes that keep the audience hooked. One big technique used by drama film directors is dramatic irony. This technique is very effective since the audience can feel the tension starting to rise because they are aware of everything going on, while the protagonist isn't. The purpose of a drama film is to impact the audience emotionally. One way they achieve this is by creating a connection between the audience and the protagonist in some kind of way. When the connection is established it is easier to transmit the emotions the protagonist would be feeling in specific situations. Most dramas use the camera technique two shot in order to show intimacy between two characters. Directors usually try to end drama films with an emotional scene that leaves an impression on the audience.

Titanic (1997)- Titanic is a drama film mixed with romance. The movie is based around two different characters, one women from a high class and a poor boy who fall in love in a ship. Even Though their love is frowned upon the two young individuals continue to spend more and more time with each other. The audience can relate and connect with them since love is an emotion easy to interpret. As they begin to continue their relationship in different ways they are met with certain difficult circumstances when the boy is framed. Furthermore, as the film progresses it shows the conditions they are in as well as the outside problems such as the boat heading straight to an iceberg. The characters are not aware of the iceberg until last minute when the captain spots it. This movie has both character conflicts and nature conflicts. It creates a bond that impacts the emotions the audience feel as they see a young couple in love fighting against everything to be together. Towards the end the boy sacrifices himself to let the girl live which after hours of character development can impact the audience tremendously.

The Help (2011)- This movie takes place around the civil rights era, and focuses on an upcoming writer looking for a story to publish. The writer chooses to write about the injustices towards the black maid workers. The movie is closely focused on specific characters that are shown going through one of the harshest times for black women. The movie shows character development between most of the characters, as the black women begin to trust more and more the writer. The movie first begins by creating an attachment between the audience and the protagonist as she struggles to find someone to help her begin her story. It uses scenery to show the different living arrangements between the poor and the right people they work for. It uses very emotionally impacting scenes to make the audience relate swerve emotionally too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT9eWGjLv6s

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Sunday, December 9, 2018