The Art of Drama Drama is the word we use when we want to indicate that we are studying something, like plays or screenplays, in the written form when it is really intended for performance. Drama is the word we use when we want to indicate that we are studying something, like plays or screenplays, in the written form when it is really intended for performance. The written form of the play or film will give important instructions to the director or others involved with the production that may not be apparent to the audience during the performance. The written form of the play or film will give important instructions to the director or others involved with the production that may not be apparent to the audience during the performance.

Theme What is the main (or one of the main) ideas or lessons that the writer is trying to convey to the audience through the play that would be relevant to the audience members’ lives? What is the main (or one of the main) ideas or lessons that the writer is trying to convey to the audience through the play that would be relevant to the audience members’ lives? –How do the elements of the play work to convey this idea or lesson?

Stage Directions In a play, these instructions are called stage directions. In a play, these instructions are called stage directions. They may include; They may include; –References to set and props –Directions or actions for actors –Lighting changes In a film, these may include camera angles or changes, as well. In a film, these may include camera angles or changes, as well.

Difference Between Drama and Fiction A main difference between drama and fiction is that in drama, the action must be carried out largely by the dialogue and actions of the characters. In fiction, this can be helped along by the narrative point of view. A main difference between drama and fiction is that in drama, the action must be carried out largely by the dialogue and actions of the characters. In fiction, this can be helped along by the narrative point of view.

Similarities Between Drama and Fiction There are a number of similarities between drama and fiction: There are a number of similarities between drama and fiction: –The settings are equally important and likely to be equally symbolic. –Characters will have the same general functions »In a play, the main character is the protagonist, while the character who opposes the protagonist is the antagonist »The characters will have motivation, or an incentive or reason for their behavior »Sometimes the characters will have a flaw or defect, called hamartia, and that defect will often lead to the character’s downfall.

Similarities, continued –Dramas, like works of fiction, will rely heavily on plot to communicate the story and theme. »The common pattern of most dramas is depicted in Freytag’s Pyramid, below

Freytag’s Pyramid A German critic, Gustave Freytag, derived his pyramid from Aristotle’s concept of unity. A German critic, Gustave Freytag, derived his pyramid from Aristotle’s concept of unity. –Basically, a plot will present a problem or conflict that will need to be resolved by its end. –The play provides the audience with needed information in the beginning of the play, generally called exposition, and then increase the dramatic tension with various plot complications. –As the action rises to its climax, the point of highest tension, the audience anticipates the resolution.

Another Version of the Pyramid Barbara F. McManus, professor of classics emerita at the College of New Rochelle, has created an alternate diagram of the pyramid. Barbara F. McManus, professor of classics emerita at the College of New Rochelle, has created an alternate diagram of the pyramid.

Questions for Analyzing a Plot (Understanding Movies, pages ) What does the exposition include? What does the exposition include? What are the rising plot points or twists? What are the rising plot points or twists? What, where, or when is the climax? What, where, or when is the climax? How does the film get resolved? Is that resolution satisfying to viewers? Why or why not? How does the film get resolved? Is that resolution satisfying to viewers? Why or why not?

Setting Physical Location and Cultural Background Physical Location and Cultural Background –How does the playwright use the setting to convey character traits, theme, conflict, or irony? –How or why is the cultural or physical environment important to the readers’ understanding of the play? –How important is the setting to the play as a whole?

Style Imagery, symbolism, sentence structure, or type of dialogue by characters’ (soliloquy or asides) Imagery, symbolism, sentence structure, or type of dialogue by characters’ (soliloquy or asides) –Are characters distinguished from each other by their styles—their use of imagery, diction, and sentence structure? –How does the playwright use language to develop characters or to convey them? –Does the playwright use any structural devices to convey meaning? How?

Character People created by writer (and actors during the performance) People created by writer (and actors during the performance) –Main character: protagonist –Protagonist’s opposing force: antagonist –Motivation, personality, physical description

Questions for Character Analysis –What type of characters are presented? Are they stereotypes or individuals? Dynamic or static? If they are dynamic, how do they change and grow? How is their depth or complexity revealed by the writer? –What does the dialogue tell us about the characters? Does it individualize them? Do stage directions contribute to this process? –How does the writer impart to the audience the thoughts, feelings,, and ideas of the characters? –What are the characters’ motivations? What actions reveal the characters’ traits, personalities, or motivations?

Sources Field, Syd. Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting. New York: Dell Publishing, Field, Syd. Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting. New York: Dell Publishing, Henderson, Gloria and William Day and Sandra Waller. Literature and Ourselves. New York: HarperCollins College Publishers, Henderson, Gloria and William Day and Sandra Waller. Literature and Ourselves. New York: HarperCollins College Publishers, Giannetti, Louis. Understanding Movies. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Giannetti, Louis. Understanding Movies. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Internet Movie Database. Internet Movie Database. Niccol, Andrew. Gattaca. Dir. Andrew Niccol. Sony Pictures, Niccol, Andrew. Gattaca. Dir. Andrew Niccol. Sony Pictures, 1994.