Unit 22 Single Camera Drama

Narrative Structures The narrative structure of a film or television show refers to the overall arrangement of the story's content; this determines how the story is told which impacts the way the audience interprets it. This includes features such as the story content, the plot and the elements used to deliver the story. The narrative structure is important as it determines the way the audience chooses to see characters and any occurring events.  There are different narrative structures that can be used for storytelling, such as: Linear A linear narrative delivers all events in a chronological order - in the order that each event happens. Quite often flashbacks can be seen as nonlinear, however in some films they can include a flashback yet simply jump back to where the events continues, therefore making it linear.  Soap operas are always told in a linear narrative, as they focus on the every day lives of the character as they experience and portray events as...

Comedy Comedy genres include content that is driven to make the audience laugh. Although there is serious content, the majority of comedy films have happy endings.  Comedies often emphasise the 'silly' personalities of its characters, revealing the inner childish mindset that most people experience yet have to be mature on a daily basis, especially at serious locations and events such as work, funerals and weddings.  There are different types of comedy that a film/TV show can have, including slapstick, which is where comedy is simulated through the use of physical movements and gestures. Films containing slapstick comedy can include films such as There's Something about Mary, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Ace Venture.  Another type of comedy can be dark humour, where serious matters are often mocked, such as rape, death, drugs, violence and terrorism. Films containing dark comedy can include American Psycho, Snatch, ...

Soap Dramas Soap dramas are on-going fictional episodes that are broadcasted either daily or weekly on television. Soap operas focus on the general day-to-day activities of its characters, where dramatic situations and events often occur to keep viewers entertained and wanting to watch more.  Soap operas aim to portray the realistic events that people go through along with the typical lifestyles of the working class. Through presenting realistic social issues this will make the audience feel as if they can relate to the characters. The most popular soaps often include general day-to-day conversations of ordinary working people - who of which viewers feel they could relate to. Examples of soap ramas could be EastEnders, Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks. Each element, including the story line, costumes, props and script will contribute to the overall setting and theme. As a result of this the soap opera is set in a small residential area which...

Drama Documentary A drama documentary is a genre that portrays re-enactments of a series of events in both television and film. Examples of dramadocs are 127 Hours, Unit 93, The Road to Guantanamo and Fires Were Started.  All drama documentaries must include key elements of the events, regardless of whether or not there is additional scripted acting to enhance the story; overall they are constructing their own representation of events.  In order to increase realism, producers can choose to film in the same locations where those events happened, they can even include real footage from the original events; in order to enhance the viewer's experience.  They can also choose to include real life dialogue from real people. Many of these are previously recorded (visual or audio); this will provide the audience with a real sense of how those people sounded at the time. However, many filmmakers may include additional script and dialogue to appeal to...

Period Drama A costume/period drama is set in a particular era, involving a range of different costumes, sets and props which are required in order to accurately portray that particular time period.  The costumes can appeal to the audience as much as the content. Historical/periodic dramas can be base on historical events, such as Romeo and Juliet and Titanic. Other examples of periodic films can include Braveheart, Gangs of New York and A Knight's Tale.  It is essential that everything included on screen fits in with that particular era, including the set, props, costumes and location.  Therefore, the appropriate costumes, props and sets should effectively portray the events and that time period, the appropriate locations will be required such as buildings with Victorian architecture along with the norms of society during that time,  in order to both tell the audience an accurate story along with making it appear as realis...

Crime Drama Television shows and films can be of a crime genre, which focus on the lives and criminal activities of those who had pursued them. Some crime dramas may be based on real life criminals and events, whether it is based on their personal lives of their victims.  Crime genres can also be subcategorised, such as 'gangster'/mob sub-genres, which revolve around a story line about the mafia and/or organised crime. 'Gangster' films are extremely popular for basing the movie on real-life criminals and events, such as Goodfellas, Casino and Scarface, or they could be entirely fictional (The Sopranos). Another sub-genre could be Crime-Thrillers, which can generally be based on serial killers, murderers and robbery. Tension and suspense in Crime-Thrillers are often developed through the use of action. Examples of Crime-Thrillers can be Reservoir Dogs, The Departed and Silence of The Lambs. Although main characters are shown to be doing criminal...

Genre Genre refers to the particular style and category of a film. Producers can choose to create films to meet the desires of a particular audience which would be their ideal genre; therefore, this would be characterising a film to its conventions.  Different genres include:  - Period  - Drama documentary - Crime - Soap - Comedy - Romance - Horror/Thriller - Western