Drama, is very essential in a film or filmed content. Be it any genre; drama is the attribute that provides the hook for a filmmaker, to keep the audience interest alive in a film or filmed content. No wonder getting the drama correct, is the biggest challenge for writers & directors.
Now, what is drama?
A drama or dramatic scene is usually character-driven, it uses the characters' emotional responses to situations to move a scene or a narrative forward, no wonder all great actors' have a deep emotional understanding, even if they aren't emotional in their real life!
A director places the characters & chooses shots to add a unique dimension to build up drama. For example, a low-angle shot gives a character, sense of dominance over the surroundings, whereas high-angle shots do the opposite. It may be noted that close-ups are very important to bring out emotions in any character. There are many directors that don't use close-ups, reason is, either the directors are weak or the actors aren't really actors. Though, close-ups ought to be used with discretion as stats reveal only 10% of all actors can really hold the audiences. Again, many directors choose, not to use any close-ups in their cinematic style; many times reason is, the directors are arthouse or festival circuit directors, they argue close-ups aren't necessary to the narrative and pass their style as abstract art (that's what they tell critics in interviews).
Next time when you are on to your film or filmed content, try these techniques and hopefully, you will see the difference that you get, in adding drama to a scene and your film!
