Genre Research

Hey guys! I know in the calendar I made I was supposed to have the plot outline ready, but I decided to move that down to next week and instead focus more on researching. Today I am going to be focusing on drama genre research. 

The drama genre follows a defined narrative plot structure revolving mainly upon the development of characters. Real-life scenarios are portrayed and realistic characters are introduced with the goal of telling an honest story. Inside of the drama genre there lies subgenres such as historical drama, melodrama, period piece, romance, and tragedy. Of these subgenres, my short film falls into tragedy. A  tragedy, as Webster's Dictionary defines it, is “a medieval narrative poem or tale typically describing the downfall of a great man; a serious drama typically describing a conflict between the protagonist and a superior force (as destiny) and having a sorrowful or disastrous conclusion that elicits pity or terror; the literary genre of tragic dramas.” This originally derives from the Greek language where tragedy meant suffering and devastation of humans. 

Shakespeare's plays were often tragedies; Romeo and Juliet, as well as Hamlet, are just a couple of examples. Romeo and Juliet show the story of two kids in a forbidden relationship who ultimately die for each other. This demonstrates the tragic end of two good characters as a result of love. However, Hamlet demonstrates that although many tragedies include the death of a hero, it is not true of all pieces of this subgenre. This play revolves around revenge as Hamlet goes out to avenge his father by killing his uncle, but they all die in the last act. 

My short film fits into this sub-genre perfectly because it demonstrates the idea of a good character becoming broken by the end. My main character will experience a dramatic end as well as be presented in a realistic manner. The death of a child is a traumatic and emotional situation, which can often lead a person into depression, or in my character's situation, a manic episode.