The Elements of Drama Literature Meant to Be

The Elements of Drama Literature Meant to Be Performed

Dramatic Mediums Drama can be presented in 4 different methods. These are called MEDIUMS. Each MEDIUM has different dramatic TECHNIQUES associated with it (which we will discuss later). • • Audio (verbal presentation only, such as Radio Plays) Written (reading the actual script without performing it) Stage (plays that are performed live) Film (movies, TV, etc. ) 2

Who’s Who? A. Playwright-the author of a play B. Screenwriter- the author of a TV or movie script C. Actors-the people who perform the play or script D. Director--the person who controls the dramatic effects of a production and guides the crew and actors

Characteristics of Drama

Parts of a Drama A. Acts-the units of action that make up the entire play B. Scenes-parts of the acts

Literary Elements A. Character: a person portrayed in a drama, novel, or other artistic piece. B. Exposition is the “who, when, where and what” part of the play. C. Conflict: the internal or external struggle between opposing forces, ideas, or interests that creates dramatic tension. D. Suspense: a feeling of uncertainty as to the outcome, used to build interest and excitement on the part of the audience. E. Theme: the life lesson learned from the dramatic text 6

Dramatic Structure Like the plot of a story, the plot of a play involves characters who face a problem or conflict. Rising Action tension builds action increases Exposition characters and are introduced Climax point of highest tension; action determines how the conflict will be resolved Falling Action tension decreases action decreases Resolution conflict is resolved; play ends

Stage Directions Instructions found in italics and parentheses() for the actors, the director, and stage crew

Function of Stage Directions a. To describe how characters speak and behave b. To describe scenery and props This script is a page from the classic movie The Godfather.

Scenery Construction on the stage that creates setting 10

Function of Scenery Allows the author to create a sense of the setting (time and place) for the audience. **The above scenery is from Dracula. 11

Props Small movable items that the actors use

Function of Props to make character’s actions look real **Props used in the movie The Village include everyday items like what you see in the dinner scene to the left

Dramatic Speech A. Dialogue-conversation between or among characters B. Monologue-long speech by one single character (private thoughts)

Function of Dialogue & Monologues Brings characters to life by revealing their personalities and by showing what they are thinking and feeling as they react to other characters. Example: View this clip from The Village. The story is set in a primitive village that is surrounded by monsters. The characters Ivy and Lucius , who are betrothed, are having a discussion. Pay attention to what their dialogue reveals about their personalities. http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=h. Mpta. Rk. Yb. Vk In this second clip from the same movie, listen to the monologue given by the Village Leader. Watch as the other characters respond to his speech without speaking themselves. Start at 1: 00, end at 3: 00 15

Performance Elements: What an Actor Controls Verbal expression: • • Speaking: the mode of expression or delivery of lines Breath control: controlling breath during speaking by breathing at appropriate punctuation marks (comma, period, etc. ). Vocal expression: how an actor uses his or her voice to convey character Inflection: change in pitch or tone of the voice. Projection: how well the voice carries to the audience Speaking style: the mode of expression or delivery of lines Diction: selection and pronunciation of words; clarity of speech. **Think of the clip from The Village between Lucius and Ivy. Think of how Lucius spoke softly but forcefully to show his feelings about the way people expect him to be more talkative. 16

Performance Elements: What an Actor Controls Nonverbal expression: • • • Gestures any movement of the actor’s head, shoulder, arm, hand, leg, or foot to convey meaning Facial expression physical and vocal aspects used by an actor to convey mood, feeling, or personality Character blocking the path formed by the actor’s movement on stage, usually determined by the director with assistance from the actor and often written down in a script using commonly accepted theatrical symbols Movement stage blocking or the movements of the actors onstage during performance; also refers to the action of the play as it moves from event to event. EXAMPLE: Look at this clip from the movie The Artist, which won the Academy Award in 2011 for Best Film. This film is silent, so much attention must be given to characters’ nonverbal expression in order to understand how characters feel and think. http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=VPm 0 Iu. Vyl. FU 17

Technical Elements: What a Director Controls Technical Elements: • • • Sound Effects (various sounds associated with the setting, characters’ actions, etc. ) Lighting (shadows, colored lights, bright lights, etc. ) Camera Angles (close-ups versus wide shots versus mid-shots) Music (used to enhance and create moods for viewers) Film Editing (piecing together various scenes to shape the plot) 18

Technical Elements: What a Director Controls Script Changes: • • • Omitting Scenes: deciding what scenes (if any) from the script should be left out to change the meaning of the script, the effect on the audience, or to fit in with time and rating limits Adding Scenes: deciding what scenes, themes, or motifs (repetitive elements that describe characters) to add that might change the meaning of the script or enhance the effect on the audience EXAMPLE: Scene from A Beautiful Mind http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Vzpu-P 2 e. Ru. I Backstory on Movie: John Nash is a mathematics professor with a gift for solving complex number puzzles. Watch this clip to see how the director added lighting and sound effects to allow the viewer to see his mental process of solving a puzzle with secret military codes. In the movie, these same effects occur each time Nash solves a puzzle. 19

Medium Techniques Below are the 4 methods of presenting drama we discussed earlier. Each dramatic MEDIUM has different dramatic TECHNIQUES associated with it. Audio • actors’ verbal and non-verbal expression • director’s choice of sound effects and music Written • stage directions that indicate staging choices for the director and expression choices for the actors Stage • actors’ verbal and non-verbal expression • director’s choice of sound effects, music, and lighting Film • actors’ verbal and non-verbal expression • director’s choice of sound effects, music, and lighting • director’s choice of script changes to include, repeat, or omit certain scenes or parts of the text 20