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Filmsite's major analysis of Greatest Courtroom Dramas . (See also AFI's 10 Top 10 - The Top 10 Courtroom Drama Films ).

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Drama film is a genre that relies on the emotional and relational development of realistic characters. While Drama film relies heavily on this kind of development, dramatic themes play a large role in the plot as well. Often, these dramatic themes are taken from intense, real life issues. Whether heroes or heroines are facing a conflict from the outside or a conflict within themselves, Drama film aims to tell an honest story of human struggles.

Drama Film Examples:

The Shawshank Redemption - A former banker convicted of murdering his wife develops a lifelong friendship with a fellow prisoner, and ultimately tries to defy the odds by keeping hope alive inside prison walls.

The Godfather - The aging patriarch of an organized crime circle must secure the future of his family's empire by leaving it in the hands of his reluctant son.

Casablanca - A jaded nightclub owner must choose whether or not to help his ex-lover and her husband flee Nazi-occupied Morocco.

DRAMA Sub-genres

Biography

A Biography drama incorporates dramatic elements into a biographical film. These films differ from Historical and "based in truth" films because they specifically chronicle the life of a person or a group of people. Biography films attempt to show a comprehensive and accurate picture of the specific subject, thus they tend to be serious and intense.

Examples: Ray, Monster, Blow

Courtroom

Courtroom drama film uses the justice system as a main component of the plot. The story usually unfolds inside a courtroom with the prosecutor, judge, jury, and the defense. Tension plays a large part in courtroom dramas as the verdict can often mean life or death.

Examples: A Few Good Men, To Kill a Mockingbird, 12 Angry Men

Dramedy

Dramedy film is a genre that has a dramatic tone yet important elements of comedy. In Dramedy film, the amount of drama and comedy are almost equally balanced. This balance provides comedic relief for the audience, while still addressing serious issues.

Examples: Little Miss Sunshine, The Royal Tenenbaums, Lost in Translation

Historical

Historical is a sub-genre of Drama film that examines a specific time in history or group of people. Many Historical films aim to portray true events and people. However, most Historical films are only loosely based on these events and people. These films tend to focus on the more glorified societies and people in history such as the Romans, specific Kings and Queens, or important political figures.

Examples: 300, Frost/Nixon, Hotel Rwanda

Melodrama

Melodrama film is a sub-genre that appeals to the heightened emotions of the audience. The plot and characters often are more unrealistic than those found in the traditional drama film. Melodramas usually cater towards a female audience and tell a story that centers on a great crisis and a heroic protagonist.

Examples: The Bridges of Madison County, Steel Magnolias, Sophie's Choice

Period Piece

Period Piece is a sub-genre of Drama film that focuses on a specific time era. The era in which the film is set adds not only to the plot, but to the characters and costumes as well. A Period Piece films are often based on a novel. These films tend to have a longer run time than traditional Dramas.

Examples: Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Romeo and Juliet

Political

Political drama film contains themes, characters, and a plot specifically about politics and the political scene. The main protagonist is often at odds with the harsh reality of corruption in politics. Many Political Dramas are based in fact but focus on exploring conspiracy theories.

Examples: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Wag The Dog, The Manchurian Candidate

Romance

Romantic Drama film is a genre that explores the complex side of love. The plot usually centers on an obstacle that is preventing love between two people. The obstacles in Romantic Drama film can range from a family's disapproval, to forbidden love, to one's own psychological restraints. Many Romantic Dramas end with the lovers separating because of the enormity of the obstacle, the realization of incompatibility, or simply... fate.

Examples: Romantic Drama film include Titanic, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Dr. Zhivago

Tragedy

Tragedy Drama is a genre wherein the downfall of the character is caused by a flaw within the character. While Tragedy Dramas sometime put the character in extraordinary circumstances, this genre is really about the self-destructive behavior of the character. The flaws of the character come to a head and ultimately result in death or other form of degradation.

Examples: American Beauty, Death of a Salesman, The Great Gatsby

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Sophie 's Choice Period Piece Period Piece

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Manchurian Candidate Romance Romantic Drama

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Drama film is a genre that relies on the emotional and relational development of realistic characters. While Drama film relies heavily on this kind of development, dramatic themes play a large role in the plot as well. Often, these dramatic themes are taken from intense, real life issues.

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Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio Lt. John Dunbar

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IMDb: 100 Best Drama movies - a list by omidpacino

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A list of 100 titles created on 06 July 2012

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Every great project starts with a brilliant script and I have been lucky enough to maintain long working relationships with some of the most talented writers around, from Peter Morgan (The Queen, The Damned United) to Mike Bullen (Cold Feet, Life Begins) and the late Frank Deasy (Father & Son, The Passion). Frank Spotnitz (The X Files) had moved recently to the UK after a lifetime in Hollywood. I knew he'd be perfect for Strike Back.

4 Casting

The unlikely casting of Ray Winstone as Henry VIII (for the 2003 ITV drama of that name) was the spark that made the project fly. I took Ray to The Ivy and told him my plan. He took a deep breath, stood up in the middle of the restaurant and announced to everyone, "I AM GOING TO BE HENRY THE EIGHTH!" and sat down to a round of applause.

5 Determination

Always make projects you believe in. We made the pilot for Cold Feet while I was at Granada in 1996. Critics loved it but viewing figures were well below average and its future hung in the balance. Then the pilot won the Rose d'Or and ITV commissioned a full series. ITV believed in it and in Christine Langan we had a producer who believed passionately in the project. It went on to become one of ITV's best-loved series.

6 Mistakes

Don't be afraid to admit you're wrong. Caroline Aherne had written The Royle Family with Craig Cash and Henry Normal and we knew it had the potential to be something very special. After being rejected by ITV we took it to the BBC and started making the series in front of a studio audience. After recording two shows we realised it just didn't work and decided to bear the cost of scrapping the series to start again with a different team and completely different feel.

7 International production partners

Working with overseas co-producers can deliver huge benefits in terms of budget and resources but you must consider the cultural differences. When co-producing Zen with Mediaset in Italy, our hugely enthusiastic Italian executive producer had a suggestion. Would we consider her for a role as Zen's ex-wife? Talented and attractive as she was, I explained that if we were to give her a role in the drama then we would have to find parts for our British, American and German partners as well, which might be tricky...

8 Overseas locations

For Wallander it was important the series should be filmed in the country in which it was based. The Swedish landscape and light add so much to the series - to try to recreate that in Norfolk was never going to have the same effect.

9 Reviews, ratings and awards

Whatever people say, good reviews, awards and ratings do matter. Mad Dogs rated hugely on Sky1, caused a critical buzz and was nominated for a Bafta, ensuring its return for a second run.

10 Start all over again...

Of course once you have success it's time to start all over again. A successful TV production company is about long runs of popular shows as well as Baftas. If we get the green light for more Mad Dogs or Strike Back we'll be back in the writers' room within weeks of the first episodes going out and we're already back in Riga for a third series of Wallander with Kenneth Branagh.

Andy Harries's latest drama series, 'Strike Back: Project Dawn', begins on Sky1/Sky1HD on Sunday 21 August at 9.00pm

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The 10 secrets of making great drama - by a master

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Every great project starts with a brilliant script and I have been lucky enough to maintain long working relationships with some of the most talented writers around, from Peter Morgan (The Queen, The Damned United) to Mike Bullen (Cold Feet, Life Begins) and the late Frank Deasy (Father & Son, The Passion).