The Elements of Drama

The Human Context

What is the human context?
Human context can be divided into 3 areas:
1.) Situation
2.) Roles
3.) Relationships
Situations
What are we talking about when we say
situation?
Situation refers to the circumstances the characters are in.
Characters and their relationships are shaped by the situation.
The situation is also created by the intentions or motivations of the characters

Roles
What is a role?
A role is an imaginary or fictional identity taken on by an actor.
This includes the characters entire history along with their strengths, weaknesses,
motivations ect.
Relationships
Relationships can be divided into 3 main types:
1.) Relationships between characters

2.) The relationship between people and ideas
3.) The relationship between people and ideas

Relationships are one of the key
elements that help drive drama.
Dramatic Tension
What Is Dramatic Tension?


Dramatic Tension is the force that engages and drives the actors and audience.
Dramatic Tension can be sorted into 4 main types:
1.) The tension of the task
2.) The tension of the relationships
3.) The tension of surprise
4.) The tensions of mystery
The creation of a problem or task that characters must complete
by achieving a goal or not.

The development of relationships between characters
and managing the relationships eg someone may change, someone may leave.

The creation of surprise where the characters and audience dont
know whats ahead. Suddenly the circumstances unfold and a shock occurs.

the development of a notion of mystery with the characters and audience not
knowing what it all means. The action moves forward; everything becomes clear.

Focus
There are 4 closely related areas of focus:

1.) The focus of the scene.
2.) The focus of the audience.
3.) The focus of the character or characters
4.) The focus of the actors.
What is focus?
The frame that directs attention to what is most significant and
intensifies the dramatic meaning.
Time and Place
What is meant by Time and Place?
&
How, if at all, would this effect a Dramatic piece?

Actors need to carefully choose the location where the action
takes place as this can greatly affect the events and tensions within
the drama piece.
Aspects of Place include:
1.) Closed and open settings
2.) Contrasting settings
3.) Messages of place
Closed and open settings simple put relate to your set size. If you look at footloose
you could say it is an open set with the story taking place in the Church, School, the
Reverends House as opposed
Contrasting settings is just as it sounds, having 2 or more opposing or contrasting
settings to send a message or set moods.
When we talk about messages of place we mean that some places already have
message or meaning behind them. E.g Tropical waterfall is peaceful, A church
is a sacred place and a dark stone castle gives a feeling of suspense and
mystery.
Time
What do we mean by time in relation to the
elements of drama?
There are many different aspects to time in relation to drama, some are:
1.) Timeline. This refers to the order of which the story (drama) is preformed.
2.) Period. Period refers to the era or time of the
3.) Rhythm/flow/speed.
Can you think of other ways time works in drama?
That is the pace and even emotional flow of a text. E.g. Comedic timing so that
a joke is heard or having silence fall for just the right amount of time to make
sure its dramatic and not just awkward.

Language
What is Language in relation to drama?
Language is the way we express our ideas, our feelings and our needs to each other.
It is
1.) The words we say.
2.) The way we say them
3.) Our body language
Movement
What is movement?
Movement refers to the physical way in which a character or object transitions
through a provided space.
Dont forget that movement can also refers to stillness.
Often stillness can be more powerful then movement.
Mood
What is mood?
This is the feeling or atmosphere that is created by, and emerges
through, the dramatic action.
What can be used to create mood?
Music
Lighting
The context of the text
Symbols
What do we mean by symbols when we
are talking about the elements of drama?
Symbols are what the drama makes you
understand - they sum up the meaning of the play,
sometimes even on a subconscious level. Symbols
can be expressed through language, movement,
visual images.
What would you say are some of the symbols of
Footloose?
So all of these elements put together help to
make
DRAMATIC MEANING
In drama, you are the creators. These elements make up the basic
structure of All dramatic actions. That is the story, the situations, the
people and the tension which drives and bring life to the actions.