What Makes a Good Drama - 1st Formative Task Drama 3

By: Drama 3 (Christy, Jessica, Radit, Javier)

Drama is a piece of writing that is

performed either on a stage, TV or radio

for an audience. It is used to portray life

or a character. Drama tells a story usually

involving conflicts, issues or emotions

through body gestures, actions and

dialogue typically designed for a

particular theatrical performance.

• Comedy

• Tragedy

• Farce

• Melodrama

• Romance

• Musical

• Mime

• Classical

• Indonesian Traditional Drama

7 Elements of Drama

Focus

4 types of focus

• the focus of the scene

• the focus of the audience

• the focus of the character

• the focus of the actor

• A play should have a clear focus,

which determines the focus of the

characters and directs the focus of

the audience.

Tension

Tension is the force that engages the

performers and audience in the

dramatic action. There are ups and

downs when the tension increases or decreases in the play.

Space

The use of space in a play makes the

audience think about the meaning of

the distance between the actors, the

actor and the props or the actor and

the audience.

Mood

• Mood creates the dramatic tension.

• It moves the audience in emotionally

appropriate directions. This means

that the audience will be able to feel

the mood of the scene.

Contrast

• Contrast is known as the use of

differences to create a dramatic

meaning.

• Contrasting colors stands out on the

stage.

• Contrasting sizes,

shapes and sounds

draw attention of

the audience.

Symbol

• A symbol is a sign or gesture that

represent a meaning.

• During drama performances, symbols

and specific gestures could be used

to express a certain meaning.

Role

• Actors should be certain about their

character‟s personality, attitudes

and beliefs to make the scene more

believable for the audience. This will

enhance the meaning of the play to

the audience.

• Actor/ actresses

should act out their

role with confidence.

According to Mr. Arif (UNESA Drama Lecturer)

The important elements in drama are

the use of body, voice and intellect.

Actors „shape‟ their body to show

what their character looks like. This

helps the audience understand the

characters and scene

The way actors use

their voice during a

drama performance

should suit the

situation at the

current moment The

articulation should be

clear as well.

In drama intellectual thinking must be

used to think about the main topic

and issue.

What makes a good drama?

There are a few things that makes a good drama. Here is

a list of the criteria:

• The right monologue

• Research

• Characters

• Perform with confidence

• Theme

• Plot

According to Mr. Arif (UNESA Drama Lecturer)

1. Have a clear, easy, understandable drama with an interesting main idea.

2. The actors have deep understanding upon the

characters.

3. The make- up and costume used should

support the characters and to show the

differences in their personalities.

According to Mr. Arif (UNESA Drama Lecturer)

• should involve an issue and/or a conflict. Most

dramas are inspired by the issues or conflicts in

our surroundings.

• should include an exciting story.

• Generally, the things that makes a good drama

are: the involvement of an interesting issues, the use

of the right dialogue and monologue, knowledge

of the main issues, the use of unique and interesting

characters, a clear theme and an understandable yet interesting plot.

• Good drama involves conflict and how that

conflict is expressed through gestures,

expressions, and the tone of the character. It should be believable.

From the information that we have collected, we can

conclude that a good drama has a specific criteria.

Overall, a good drama is one that relates well

to the audience. It takes the actors and the

audience for an enjoyable ride into the world

of the play. Good dramas can be really

complex or very simple. The story takes us to

the setting of the play. If it is that good, you

could actually feel like you are one of the

people in the story. A really good drama is the

one you want to watch a second or third time.

• “Different Types of Drama.” [Online] Available.

http://www.life123.com/parenting/education/dra

ma/types-of-drama.shtml, 23rd January 2014.

• “Dance, drama, and music.” [Online]

Available.

http://www.skwirk.com/p-c_s-1_u-46_t-35_c-95/nsw/hsie/study-of-a-cultural-group:-

bali/traditional-culture/dance,-drama-and-music,

23rd January 2014.

• “The Elements of Drama.” [Online] Available.

http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.

au/secondary/creativearts/assets/drama/pdf/dra

maelements.pdf, 23rd January 2014.

• “Elements of Drama – A brief introduction.”

[Online] Available.

http://renierdrama.wordpress.com/category/type

s-of-drama-plays-comedy/, 23rd January 2014.

• Hidayat, Arif. Group Interview. 27th January 2014.

Primary Resource (Expert):

• Mr. Arif Hidayat. UNESA Drama

Lecturer, professional actor.

TIC & Mentor:

• Ms. Tatik

• Mr. Yudi