GENRE CONVENTIONS: Narrative + Representation

Narrative

Plot

Films categorised under the drama genre have several main points that can be recognised in all of them. They are serious representations of real life, and do not entertain the idea of fantasy narratives. They express emotions by dramatizing particular events, and their aims are to keep audiences on the edge of their seats with plot twists and/or complex plots.
Open with a teaser- typically the crime but not necessarily. Centres around a detective attempting to solve a crime- typically a murder. The story tends to follow the detective, who is usually the protagonist, as they interview suspects and use evidence to solve the crime. Lead characters often have a dark past or a history with the victim, motivating them to work hard. TV shows follow a running theme of their lead detective having a major personality defect. Crime dramas often end with the revealing of a killer and, considering crime drama is popular primarily for TV shows, ends with a cliff hanger.

Characters

• Main character- a leading police officer that typically fits Butch’s 1998 theory of males being, ‘Well intentioned but dump and flawed’ as, despite being likebale, they're unable to solve the murder until the end. They tend to represent middle aged males and females in the audience. The hero in Vladimir Propp's character theory.
• Sidekick- another police officer/forensic that will be chosen with the secondary target audience in mind, as by choosing an actor similar to them you will make them feel represented. Known as the helper in Propp's theory.
• Victim- in a TV show you don't tend to get to know them very well, whereas in a film it's more likely. If they get a backstory they tend to be similar to and therefore represent those in the target audience, ensuring the audience will sympathise with them and route for the detective to find their killer.
• Killer- usually a big character in the film so as to make the reveal a surprise. Could be the villain or the false hero in terms of Propp's theory, depending on the desired plot of the film.
• Someone who try to goes against the main detective and claim that they're wrong.
• Suspects.
• Family/friends of the victim.