Genre Research: Drama

Traditionally, drama films include some recognisable features:

- a serious/accurate representation of real life stories/events

- representation of emotions at their true 'height' -- but can be dramatised

- a journey that the character goes on (can be emotional or physical)

- occasionally plot twists

- emotional peaks

The protagonist of a drama film may be:

- slightly unstable

- **having to make a hard decision

- easy to sympathise with

- is relatable to the target audience

Drama films can:

- challenge stereotypes

- **connect to their audience on a personal level

- **be therapeutic - show how to protagonist faces a problem

There are several sub-genres within drama:

- Social Dramas

- **Mental Illness

- Alcoholism

- Youth Rebellion

- Race Rights

- Civil Rights

- Courtroom Drama

- War Drama

- Sports Drama

- Religious Drama

- Literature Drama

Well known examples of Drama films:

Fight Club

Titanic

The Help

12 Years A Slave

**I have put stars next to the codes and conventions that apply to my short film.

Camera Angles used within Drama films

Close Up

Used to emphasise the expression on a persons face and therefore the emotions they are feeling. Can be of an object to demonstrate its importance.

Long Shot

Used to show a person or scene and its surroundings. The surroundings are usual in peripheral vision whilst the main character/scene is in the centre.

High Angle Shots

Used to gain a perspective on the scene or to imply that the characters or scene show is of less importance/is less powerful than something else.

Over the Shoulder Shots

Used in conversations, shows the point of view of a character whilst keeping them in the frame of the shot -- maintain the continuity of the scene. 

Mid-Shot

Used to help demonstrate the body language and/or intent of the character. Keep the setting/scene in the background of the shot - gives the audience a sense of the atmosphere and location.

Extreme Close Up

Used to add tension and/or intimidation within the scene, and can demonstrate a persons emotions or personality, or inform the audience of how they should be feeling. For example, an extreme close up of a persons eye's could inform the audience that they should feel as though they are being watched.

Production Schedule

Here is the production schedule that I have planned for the next few months. I plan to add to the schedule during the next few weeks.

Short Film: Focus Group

I had some peers of the same demographic as my target audience read over my screenplay and storyboard. I then interviewed them and asked for their feedback on my ideas.

What am I going to do about finding an actor?

I have found several potential actors to portray Jess. I am aware that they may be quite sensitive about the body checking sequence and about the sensitive and very real topics within the film, and I have spoken to each of the actors about this, and they all seem okay with it.

What about the ending?

The ending of the film is open to the audience's interpretation, however, I try to direct them to believe that Jess will get better due to her actions and determination during the final scene. I want the audience to believe that Jess will have a happy and positive ending rather than a negative one.

Short Film Discussion

I decided to have a discussion between myself and my peers on our general thoughts of a short film. Here is the footage:

Short Film Preparation: Costume Design

 I decided to hand-draw my characters costumes using the '9-heads fashion figure' so that I could get an idea of what the costume I had imagined would look like on a person.

Jess

For Jess I had to design two separate costumes: her pajamas' that she wakes up in and wears through to scene three, and then her 'day-to-day' outfit that she wears to therapy and in the final scene. I decided to keep Jess' pajamas' quite simple and girly, and I wanted her other costume to be the complete opposite - dark and gloomy. Jess' day clothes represent the depression she is experiencing at this point in her life, whilst her pajamas reflect the girl that she used to be.

Dr Ford and Jess' Mum

I decided to have very similar costumes for Dr Ford and Jess' mum, as I wanted the similarities in their costumes to represent that they have the same intention - to get Jess well again. I also wanted them to both look quite smart and professional, to demonstrate that they are both quite career-driven and that they both take their jobs very seriously.

Short Film Preparation: Props I Need

I have decided to make a list of the props I will require when filming, so that I am prepared to follow the storyboard and the screenplay as exactly as I possibly can.

Scales

In the film, Jess will be shown to weigh herself during the first scene. I want the scales to be quite flat and modern looking as I want it to represent how accurate Jess likes to be with things regarding her weight and her eating.

Phone

Jess will be using her phone in the first scene to demonstrate her addiction and determination to be dangerously thin. Jess will be using her phone to look at images of dangerously thin and underweight girls, which will also help to portray how damaging social media and the internet can be for those with an eating disorder or a mental illness.

Nutritional Shake

In the second scene of the film, Jess' mum asks her to drink a nutritional shake to prove to her that she is is 'in control' of her eating disorder and isn't going backwards. In the final scene of the film, Jess is shown to be drinking the shake as she cooks her family dinner, representing that she is moving forward and fighting her eating disorder.

Memory Box

In the third scene of the film, Jess is shown in her bedroom looking into a memory box filled with her hopes and aspirations, along with some memories from before she got ill. The box is what drives Jess to recover, it subtly forebodes the things that Jess will do when she is fully recovered from her eating disorder.

Uni Prospectus

Inside the memory box is a uni prospectus/leaflet, which demonstrates Jess' determination to go university after she has recovered. This is one of her primary motivations to get better.

Concert Ticket

Inside the memory box is also a concert ticket from when Jess went to see her favourite band before she got sick. This is a reminder to her of how good life can be if she gets better and recovers from her eating disorder.

Photo's

The third and final item within the memory box is photographs of Jess and her friends. This represents the loneliness that can be caused by a mental illness, the isolation a sufferer can experience from their friends who may not understand their illness. This is another drive for Jess to recover as she wants to be reunited with her friends and be able to enjoy herself with them.

Notepad

During his session with Jess, Dr Ford will be writing notes on a clipboard or a notepad.

Saucepan

In the final scene of the film, Jess is shown to be cooking her family pasta for dinner. This is a critical plot point as it represents Jess' determination to move on from her past, and her determination to do all of the things in her memory box.

'In Control' Storyboard

Here is the storyboard for my short film that I developed from my screenplay. It includes the different shots I plan on using, and also the dialogue that will occur within each shot.