Though the art of storytelling has undergone many changes since the ancient days of Greek theatre, its basis and character remain constant. History of Drama: Dramas have been around as long as stories have been told. The interplay of warring personalities (conflict) is the foundation of drama.

Drama may be one of the easiest film types to identify and yet one of the most difficult to define. We may know a western because of its setting. Definition: There is an element of drama in virtually every film. Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957)

Definition: Drama may be one of the easiest film types to identify and yet one of the most difficult to define. We may know a musical because of the importance of singing and dancing. There is an element of drama in virtually every film. The Sound of Music (1965)

Definition: Drama may be one of the easiest film types to identify and yet one of the most difficult to define. We may know a horror film because of its creepy and scary scenes. There is an element of drama in virtually every film. Halloween: Resurrection (2002)Poltergeist (1982)

Definition: A drama is a type of film that depends mostly on in-depth development of realistic characters dealing with emotional themes in a compelling story. Dances with Wolves (1990)

Drama films have been nominated more often for the Academy Award (particularly Best Picture) than any other film type "The Artist" "The King's Speech" "The Hurt Locker" "Slumdog Millionaire" "No Country for Old Men" "The Departed" "Crash" "Million Dollar Baby" "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" "Chicago" "A Beautiful Mind“ "Gladiator" "American Beauty" "Shakespeare in Love" "Titanic" "The English Patient" "Braveheart" "Forrest Gump" "Schindler’s List" "Unforgiven" "The Silence of the Lambs" "Dances With Wolves”

Drama films have been nominated more often for the Academy Award (particularly Best Picture) than any other film type.

"The Deer Hunter" "Annie Hall" "Rocky" "One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest" "The Godfather Part II" "The Sting" "The Godfather" "The French Connection" "Patton" "Midnight Cowboy" "Oliver!” "Driving Miss Daisy" "Rain Man" "The Last Emperor" "Platoon" "Out of Africa" "Amadeus" "Terms of Endearment" "Gandhi" "Chariots of Fire" "Ordinary People" "Kramer vs. Kramer”

Drama films have been nominated more often for the Academy Award (particularly Best Picture) than any other film type.

"Around the World in 80 Days" "Marty" "On the Waterfront" "From Here to Eternity" "The Greatest Show on Earth" "An American in Paris" "All About Eve" "All the Kings Men" "Hamlet" "Gentleman's Agreement" "The Best Years of Our Lives” "In the Heat of the Night" "A Man for All Seasons" "The Sound of Music" "My Fair Lady" "Tom Jones" "Lawrence of Arabia" "West Side Story" "The Apartment" "Ben-Hur" "Gigi" "The Bridge on the River Kwai”

Drama films have been nominated more often for the Academy Award (particularly Best Picture) than any other film type.

"It Happened One Night" 1932/ "Cavalcade" 1931/ "Grand Hotel" 1930/ "Cimarron" 1929/ "All Quiet on the Western Front" 1928/ "The Broadway Melody" 1927/ "Wings" "The Lost Weekend" "Going My Way" "Casablanca" "Mrs. Miniver" "How Green Was My Valley" "Rebecca" "Gone with the Wind" "You Can't Take It with You" "The Life of Emile Zola" "The Great Ziegfeld" "Mutiny on the Bounty”

Drama films have been nominated more often for the Academy Award (particularly Best Picture) than any other film type.

Why is it that dramas have been the most nominated type of movie at the Academy Awards? Good movies rely on great acting, compelling storylines, well-developed characters, and strong writing. What do you think are the qualities of a good drama?

Drama is the broadest of movies types and often includes: Definition: romantic dramas

Drama is the broadest of movies types and often includes: Definition: sport films

Drama is the broadest of movies types and often includes: Definition: historical dramas

Drama is the broadest of movies types and often includes: Definition: biographies

Drama is the broadest of movies types and often includes: Definition: Courtroom dramas

Drama is the broadest of movies types and often includes: Definition: crime dramas

Dramatic themes often include societal issues, and problems, concerns or injustices: Definition: prejudice

Definition: Dramatic themes often include societal issues, and problems, concerns or injustices: intolerance

Definition: Dramatic themes often include societal issues, and problems, concerns or injustices: addiction

Definition: Dramatic themes often include societal issues, and problems, concerns or injustices: poverty

Definition: Dramatic themes often include societal issues, and problems, concerns or injustices: sexual inequality

Definition: Dramatic themes often include societal issues, and problems, concerns or injustices: and other explosive issues of the times

At the center of a drama is usually a character or characters who are in conflict at a crucial moment in their lives. Main Components:

These films appeal to the viewers’ emotions rather than relying on fast-paced action and physical contact. Main Components:

Strong character development is essential in these film types. Characteristics: All dramas begin and end with characters.

Dramas may be considered “message films” in which the audience learns something meaningful rather than simply being entertained. Because the viewer can relate to the characters, they experience the emotions of the character. Characteristics:

Films that dramatize the life of a significant person. They attempt to comprehensively tell a person’s life story or at least the most historically important years of their lives. Biographies (Biopics):

Sometimes, historical biopics stretch the truth and tell a life story with varying degrees of accuracy.

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