genre conventions

One of the main conventions of a drama is that it reflects a relatable and real life scenario that may occur. In order to produce a more entertaining outcome the scenario based film plot is over emphasised extremely.

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A drama can be broken down into numerous sub sections:

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Role

 An actor's portrayal of someone in a play
stepping into the space/reality of another person, sustaining belief in that position, and representing for example that person's relationships and point of view.

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Situation

 What is happening in the scene?

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Place

 Space is where the dramatic action takes place. It refers both to the imagined place of the dramatic action and the physical space that the students have to work in.

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Action

 Action is what each person in role is doing and thinking alone and with others. It's how the drama is being shaped.

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Tension

Tension is the force that drives the drama. It's created by obstacles that those in the drama have to overcome. The element of tension heightens the dramatic intensity and creates suspense or unease.

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Symbol

Where an object or action in a scene means more than it is.

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Mood

The atmosphere of the piece. This is the overriding feeling of a scene or part of a scene.

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Focus

Focus is the point that demands the audience's attention. It is the central event, character, theme, issue or problem of a drama or part of a drama. The term "focus" is also used to refer to a place or moment in time that captures the essence of the dramatic action. The third way the term "focus" is used is to refer to the student's focus or concentration on their work.

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Flashbacks and flashforwards

Moving back and forward in time in order to extend understanding of themes and characters.

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Freeze-frame

A convention in which the members of a group use their bodies to make an image or tableau capturing an idea, theme, or moment in time; also called a group sculpture or tableau. It's like a photo image.

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Narration

A convention in which a person explains to the audience the action that occurs within a drama.

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Soundscape

A sequence of sounds shaped to enhance action and mood in a drama.

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Split Stage

Where action is taking place on opposite sides of the stage, to show different perspectives on a certain situation or event, or to show two things happening at once but in different places.

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Repetition

Repeated ideas, images, words which help to reinforce an idea or create a symbol

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Monologue/ soliloquy

One actor speaks independently, clarifying ideas or feelings without the interruption of anyone else. An extension of this is soliloquy, where that actor is alone on stage.

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Slow Motion

The process of slowing down and exaggerating movements, facial expression, and gesture to heighten tension or to isolate a particularly important moment.

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Chorus of voices

A chorus of voices is a group using their voices together to make patterns of sound, or say words or phrases together for emphasis

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Chorus of Movement

A chorus of movement is a group moving together with a sense of purpose. The movement may be repetitive or stylised. A chorus of movement can heighten the moment or create a particular spatial or visual effect.

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Spoken thoughts

In this convention a person in role speaks the private thoughts of their character to add tension or provide information. This can be done when the other characters in the scene freeze or whilst other characters have a quiet conversation amongst themselves.

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Voices in the Head

In this convention a student who is not in role comes and speaks the thoughts of another person in role. This is to add to the understanding of the character in role, so it should give important information about them, and express their personality.