Portfolio Project Genre #2: Drama (Character vs. Self)

-Genre Drama

The genre I am choosing for my second portfolio project is Drama, mainly  a character vs. self. This film will focus on an internal conflict rather than external conflict. The story will show a woman preparing for a very extremely important dinner which will represent everything she has worked toward in her life. Every detail will be carefully planned, showing how much this moment matters to her.

-Target Audience

The target audience for this film is men and women ages 18–24 and older, mainly those who relate to self growth, pressure, and personal goals or achievements. This type of audience  connects with stories about identity, independence, and a finding of self worth. Character driven dramas would be this film which are important for this age group because they reflect real life struggles and the internal battles that are being faced.

-Genre Conventions: Content

Character vs. self dramas usually focus on inner conflict, self reflection, and personal growth. This film will show conventions by showing the characters struggle through visuals rather than words or dialogue. There isn’t an antagonist in a way but instead, the conflict will show with in the character herself when she balances perfection, pressure, and this need off self acceptance.

The dinner will not be shown directly, which is another common dramatic convention. By leaving this scene unseen, the focus will stay on the characters emotional preparation rather than the event she is going to.

-Genre Conventions: Techniques

Mise-en-scène will be shown to communicate her control and success. The clean house, very clean appearance, and a carefully chosen setting outside showing a sense of  discipline and hard work. This will show how much effort the character puts into presenting herself.

Costuming and makeup will focus on the idea of perfection. When the cigarette scene breaks that image, in a little way it reveals almost like humanity in her. This hopefully helps the audience understand that she is not perfect, but she accepts herself as she is.

Sound design will be small, almost quiet moments to feel that meaningful feeling. The calm setting will help the tone of the film.

-Institutional Conventions

Dramas like this are often independent and character focused rather than large scale productions. This film fits institutional conventions of an independent drama through its small dialogue, strong visual storytelling, and emotional realism.

The narrative image of this is based on strength, vulnerability, and self acceptance, engaging to audiences who value this authenticity.

-  https://blog.celtx.com/what-is-internal-conflict-screenwriting/

-  https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-drama-genre/ 

- Representations of the Genre

Black Swan (2010) – Shows inner conflict, pressure, and identity.

Lady Bird (2017) – Focuses on self discovery and internal growth through this character driven storytelling.