Portfolio Project Genre #2

    While exploring different genres that could best represent my films style I've come across the genre of thriller, but another genre that I believe could create an interesting atmosphere is drama. Drama focuses on serious realistic events that develop the character. This is something that can intensify the retaliation from the bullied kid. Overall, creating a more realistic conflict that the thriller genre may not portray in my film. 

CONTENT RELATING TO DRAMA:

Forrest Gump - 1994

    The drama genre is frequently associated with an audience between ages of 25-40 which have a deeper understanding of films relating to personal struggle. They value societal issues that allow them to have a more meaningful understanding of people's hardship, and that is something drama films normally portray. These types of situations are important towards the drama genre and could help develop my films conflict. 

    Drama films are usually in relation to another genre like family, war, or social problems. My film is yet to be categorized in any, but if it were it would most likely be associated with social problems due to my film focusing on a kid that retaliates against someone who's an intimidator.

    Forrest Gump is a great example of a drama film that faces issues between society. It argues the psychological backlash of the Vietnam War and questions racist ideologies from the 1960's. This film also used specific camera techniques to create a more dramatic ambience that helped develops Tom Hanks character.

TECHNIQUES RELATING TO DRAMA: 

The Godfather - 1972

  Similarly to Forrest Gump, The Godfather was very successful in grasping the drama scene by the use of camera techniques. Some of these techniques include extended takes that help create tension between characters; this can be seen during the Don Corleone cat scene. Another technique is the gradual zoom to emphasize a serious moment that the audience should be focusing on. Drama films also use lighting to shape the atmosphere, like using low-key lighting to highlight shadows which contrast a more dramatic scenery. The Godfather relied on low-key lighting a lot and became one of the reasons why the film had such an intense and eerie feel to it. This film also used practical lighting in to create depth and accentuated a more realistic tone to the overall result of the film. 

Fiveable Content Team. (2025, September). Cinematography techniques for dramatic films [Study guide]. Fiveable. https://fiveable.me/cinematography/unit-12/cinematography-techniques-dramatic-films/study-guide/mCoqaVetIZ0jqKR5

FilmGrail. (2024, April 1). Cinema audience demographics analysis: Insights & data. FilmGrail. https://filmgrail.com/blog/cinema-audience-demographics-analysis-insights-and-data/

DeGuzman, K. (2024, December 3). Drama: A guide to the genre. Backstage. https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/drama-genre-guide-78027/

Hellerman, J. (2023, December 6). Explore the drama genre in film and television. No Film School. https://nofilmschool.com/drama-genre