I have a friend who is sensitive, and another who is very, very sensitive. I think that's the simplest parallel that explains the difference between melodrama and cinematic drama. Drama is a very nuanced genre in art that deals with the realities of life. It is a culmination of both the simple and complex emotions that humans struggle with on a daily basis. But drama has many subgenres, one of which we're going to demystify today: melodrama. What is it, and how does it differ from just plain old drama? Let's take a look! What is a Melodrama? The term “melodrama” comes from the French “mélodrame,” which itself was derived from the Greek words mélos, meaning "song" or "melody," and drâma, meaning "drama" or "theatrical act." Joined together, “melodrama” referred to any theatrical stage play or drama that was heavily infused with music and songs. Features of a Melodramatic Film There are a few elements that every melodrama has. A simple story with emotionally heavy and sensationalized plot points Flat characters that are usually stereotypical and predictable Generous use of dramatic monologues, slow motion shots, and musical themes Simple conflicts with cut-and-dry, black-or-white resolutions, with the climax sharply pulling the story to the end. For example, a man is in love with a woman. If it’s a happy film, they end up together to live happily ever after. If it’s a sad film, they’ll be separated, killed, married off to other people forcefully, spun into self-destruction, etc. The story...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - 2 days ago