drama unit learning targets

Drama Unit Learning Targets•I can analyze the development of a theme over the course

of a text.•I can analyze how particular elements of a drama interact.•I can analyze how a drama’s form or structure contributes

to its meaning.•I can compare and contrast a written drama to its audio,

filmed, or staged version, analyzing the effects of techniques unique to each medium.

•I can determine the meanings of words & phrases used in a text.

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Wednesday, November 7, 12

The Elements of Drama


Dramatic MediumsDrama 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.)

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Who’s Who?

A.Playwright-the author of a playB. Screenwriter- the author of a TV or

movie scriptC. Actors-the people who perform the

play or script


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 ElementsA.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 7


Like the plot of a story, the plot of a play involves characters who face a problem or conflict.

Climaxpoint of highest tension;

action determines how the conflict will be resolved

Resolutionconflict is resolved;play ends

Rising Actiontension increasesaction increases

Expositioncharacters and are introduced

Dramatic Structure

Falling Actiontension decreasesaction decreases


Stage Directions Instructions found in italics and parentheses() for the

actors, the director, and stage crew


Function of Stage Directionsa. To describe how characters speak and behaveb. To describe scenery and props


Scenery

Construction on the stage that creates setting

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Function of Scenery

Allows the author to create a sense of the setting (time and place) for the audience.

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Props

Small movable items that the actors use


Function of Props

to make character’s actions look real; contributes to setting


Dramatic Speech A.Dialogue-conversation

between or among characters

B.Monologue-long speech by one single character (private thoughts)


Function of Dialogue & MonologuesBrings characters to life by

revealing their personalities and by showing what they are thinking and feeling as they react to other characters.

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The Incredibles This clip from the movie The Incredibles features a monologue delivered by the villain, Syndrome. Listen as he reveals his motivations for his evil actions. FYI--many times writers use monologues toward the end of the movie to give a villain the opportunity to discuss his/her evil plans.

Finding Nemo This dialogue from the movie Finding Nemo reveals a lot about the personalities of Nemo and his dad, and also revealas a lot about their relationship.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYmHYQPaHaw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYmHYQPaHaw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWXOurnVTYg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWXOurnVTYg

Two Types of Dramatic Elements

1. Performance Elements: the way that actors present characters and make them believable to the audience

2. Technical Elements: the special effects added to a drama to...

*create a mood for the audience*to reveal special information about characters*to make action and storylines believable*to create a sense of setting. 17


Performance Elements

Verbal expression:•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•Diction: selection and pronunciation of words; clarity of speech.

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Performance Elements

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•Movement stage blocking or the movements of the actors onstage

during performance

•The Artist Watch this clip from 2011’s The Artist, which won the Academy Award for Best Film. This is a silent film, so nonverbal expression is EXTREMELY important. In this scene, George and his wife are having breakfast. She sees a picture in the newspaper where George has been photographed with another woman (an up and coming actress). As you watch, pay attention to the actors’ nonverbal expression. What can you infer about the characters’ feelings toward one another? 19


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Yao13CA62mc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Yao13CA62mc

•Sound Effects (various sounds associated with the setting, characters’ actions, etc. to make actions realistic)

•Costumes (clothes and accessories worn by actors to convey characters’ personalities and to convey setting)

•Props (make actions realistic; contribute to setting)•Lighting (shadows, colored lights, bright lights, etc. can create

moods, indicate setting, and describe characters)•Camera Angles (close-ups versus wide shots versus mid-shots)•Music (used to enhance and create moods for viewers)•Film Editing (the way scenes are presented on film) *abrupt and fast transitions between scenes can create suspense or anxiety*slow transitions can be calming*sometimes multiple scenes may be shown simultaneously•Toy Story Notice how this clip from Toy Story uses close-ups, wide

shots, camera angles from Woody’s perspective, and camera angles from Sid’s perspective. This builds suspense and helps you as a viewer understand the story from multiple points-of-view.

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Technical Elements:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsusakRf7T8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsusakRf7T8

Below are the 4 methods of presenting drama we discussed earlier. Each dramatic MEDIUM has different dramatic TECHNIQUES associated with it.

Audio•performance elements: actors’ verbal expression•technical elements: presence or absence of sound effects and musicWritten•stage directions (to indicate the performance and technical elements that

should be used)Stage•performance elements: actors’ verbal and non-verbal expression•technical elements: sound effects, music, props, costumes, and lightingFilm•performance elements: actors’ verbal and non-verbal expression•technical elements: sound effects, music, props, costumes, camera

angles, scene transitions, scene selections, and lighting

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Medium Techniques


drama unit learning targets

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