So Much Drama: The Art of the Dramatic Film
Updated: Mar 5
In this article, we'll dive deep into the elements that make up a successful drama film like Rosebud Lane. We'll explore how the film's unique narrative structure, relatable characters, soaring musical score and stunning cinematography all work together to create an emotionally resonant story that will leave you feeling uplifted and inspired. So, let's get started!
Drama films have always been a popular genre among moviegoers. The ability to tell a compelling story that evokes emotions is what draws audiences to these films. Successful drama films are built on a foundation of several key elements, including well-developed and relatable characters, engaging plotlines, and realistic settings. In this article, we will explore the importance of character development in drama films, using Rosebud Lane as an example.
This independent film, written and directed by John Lacy, tells the story of a father connecting with his young son through a shared love of cinema. Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Rosebud Lane is a beautiful portrayal of the power of cinema to bring people together and heal old wounds.
One interesting fact about Rosebud Lane is that its title is actually an homage to the classic film Citizen Kane. The film's narrative arc revolves around a father and son bonding over their shared love of cinema, and the dialogue in Rosebud Lane even includes numerous references to other iconic films. Directed and written by John Lacy, the movie is a family drama that takes place in the small Blue Ridge Mountain town of Hendersonville, North Carolina, where Lacy's grandmother lived for most of her life. In fact, the film is dedicated to Lacy's grandmother, who was a strong and independent woman that inspired the director's mother to follow in her footsteps. The Appalachian Region people had a special place in Lacy's heart, and he was thrilled when they welcomed him and his team to shoot the film in their small town.
As an original dramatic film, Rosebud Lane utilizes several key elements to tell its emotionally resonant story. The movie's unique narrative structure, relatable characters, captivating score, and stunning cinematography all work together to create a heartwarming tale of family, love, and cinema. In this article, we will explore the importance of character development in drama films using Rosebud Lane as an example. Savant Artists, a production company associated with the film, believes that great storytelling is at the heart of every successful movie. Through their expertise and insights, they hope to help other filmmakers create compelling stories that resonate with audiences. Recently, Savant Artists secured a distribution deal with Good Deed Entertainment that released on February 24th, on Apple TV, Google Play, Amazon, and more. Available now on iTunes here
Rosebud Lane is a family drama film that tells the story of a father who reconnects with his young son through their shared love of the cinema. This heartwarming tale takes place in the small Blue Ridge Mountain town of Hendersonville, North Carolina, where the director's late grandmother lived for most of her life. The film is dedicated to his grandmother, a strong and independent woman who raised his mother to follow in her footsteps. With great affection for the Appalachian Region people, the director had a dream come true when they welcomed him and his team to shoot in their small town.
Savant Artists believes that great storytelling is at the heart of every successful film. Our team has worked on numerous projects that have received critical acclaim and commercial success, and we have identified the key elements that make up a great drama film. In this guide, we will share our insights and expertise to help you create a compelling and heartwarming story that resonates with audiences.
In this article, we'll dive deep into the elements that make up a successful drama film like Rosebud Lane. Below we'll explore how the film's unique narrative structure, relatable characters, and stunning cinematography all work together to create an emotionally resonant story that will leave you feeling uplifted and inspired. So, let's get started, I have created an intuitive guide to take you to specific sections.
Click one of the sections to jump down and read about a specific section:
History of Dramatic Film Genre
The history of the dramatic film genre is a rich and varied one, with a long and storied evolution that spans over a century of cinematic history. The genre itself is difficult to define, as it can encompass a wide range of subject matter and styles, from historical epics to contemporary character studies. In another section below, I attempt to tackle the dramatic sub genres briefly because in a follow-up article I tackle the concept of Dramatic Sub Genres in-depth.
D.W. Griffith's groundbreaking 1915 film "The Birth of a Nation" is one of the earliest and most significant examples of the dramatic film genre. The epic historical drama received widespread critical acclaim and was a commercial success, featuring a sweeping narrative that depicted the American Civil War and its aftermath. However, the film is now highly controversial due to its racist content, which has rightly led to its condemnation. Richard Brody of The New Yorker notes that "the worst thing about Birth of a Nation is how good it is," highlighting the technical and cinematic innovations that Griffith employed to create a film that still holds up today despite its problematic themes. Despite its deeply troubling content, "The Birth of a Nation" remains an important landmark in the evolution of the dramatic genre and a powerful reminder of the power and influence of film.
Throughout the silent era, the dramatic genre continued to evolve and expand, with films such as F.W. Murnau's 1927 film "Sunrise" showcasing the potential for visual storytelling in the genre. The advent of sound in the late 1920s opened up new possibilities for filmmakers, with classics such as Frank Capra's 1934 film "It Happened One Night" helping to define the genre for generations to come.
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In the post-war era, the dramatic genre experienced a golden age, with films such as Elia Kazan's 1954 film "On the Waterfront" and Fred Zinnemann's 1953 film "From Here to Eternity" exploring complex themes of power, corruption, and redemption. These films showcased the genre's ability to grapple with weighty issues while also providing compelling entertainment.
In the 1960s and 1970s, the dramatic genre began to take on new forms, with filmmakers such as Stanley Kubrick and Martin Scorsese pushing the boundaries of traditional storytelling techniques. Kubrick's 1968 film "2001: A Space Odyssey" was a groundbreaking science fiction epic that explored themes of evolution and humanity's place in the universe, while Scorsese's 1976 film "Taxi Driver" was a gritty character study that delved into the seedy underbelly of New York City.
In the 1980s and 1990s, the dramatic genre continued to evolve and diversify, with films such as Steven Spielberg's 1993 film "Schindler's List" and Quentin Tarantino's 1994 film "Pulp Fiction" showcasing the genre's ability to tackle both historical and contemporary subject matter. These films also demonstrated the genre's potential for innovation, with Tarantino's nonlinear storytelling and Spielberg's use of black-and-white cinematography pushing the boundaries of traditional filmmaking techniques.
In the 21st century, the dramatic genre has continued to evolve and adapt to changing times and audiences. Films such as Kathryn Bigelow's 2008 film "The Hurt Locker" and Bong Joon-ho's 2019 film "Parasite" have showcased the genre's ability to tackle timely social issues while also providing compelling entertainment. These films have also demonstrated the genre's potential for global appeal, with "Parasite" becoming the first foreign-language film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Overall, the history of the dramatic film genre is a rich and varied one, with a long and storied evolution that continues to this day. From epic historical dramas to gritty character studies, the genre has showcased the potential for cinema to grapple with complex themes and provide compelling entertainment for audiences around the world.
The Many Faces of Drama: A Guide to Subgenres
Drama is a vast and multifaceted genre that encompasses a wide range of subgenres, each with its unique set of themes, tones, and narrative styles. From the early days of cinema to the present, the drama genre has evolved and diversified, reflecting changes in society, culture, and technology.
In this section, we will take a closer look at the various subgenres of drama and their evolution over time.
Historical Drama: Historical dramas are stories set in the past, usually focusing on a significant event, person, or period. These films offer a glimpse into the world of the past, often using real-life events as a backdrop for fictional or dramatized stories. Examples include "Braveheart," "Schindler's List," and "The Last Samurai."
Courtroom Drama: Courtroom dramas are a popular subgenre of drama that typically takes place in a courtroom or legal setting. These films often explore themes of justice, morality, and the complexities of the legal system. Some notable examples include "To Kill a Mockingbird," "A Few Good Men," and "The Lincoln Lawyer."
Family Drama: Family dramas center around familial relationships and dynamics, exploring themes of love, loss, and reconciliation. These films often delve into the complexities of family life, including conflicts between parents and children, sibling rivalry, and generational divides. Examples include "The Godfather," "Ordinary People," and "Little Miss Sunshine."
Melodrama: Melodramas are characterized by their exaggerated emotions, often featuring heightened drama, romance, and tragedy. These films are known for their sweeping, epic storylines, and over-the-top performances. Examples include "Gone with the Wind," "The Notebook," and "The Fault in Our Stars."
Crime Drama: Crime dramas are a popular subgenre of drama that explores the world of crime and its impact on individuals and society. These films often center around law enforcement and criminal activities, examining themes of justice, morality, and the nature of good and evil. Examples include "The Godfather," "The Departed," and "Heat."
Sports Drama: Sports dramas are films that center around a particular sport or athlete, exploring themes of perseverance, determination, and the human spirit. These films often use sports as a metaphor for life, examining the challenges and triumphs of the human experience. Examples include "Rocky," "Remember the Titans," and "Miracle."
War Drama: War dramas are stories set against the backdrop of war, exploring themes of sacrifice, heroism, and the impact of conflict on individuals and society. These films often examine the human cost of war, including the toll it takes on soldiers and civilians alike. Examples include "Saving Private Ryan," "Platoon," and "Apocalypse Now."
Medical Drama: Medical dramas are stories that take place in a hospital or medical setting, exploring themes of life, death, and the human condition. These films often examine the emotional and ethical challenges faced by medical professionals, as well as the experiences of patients and their families. Examples include "Patch Adams," "The Doctor," and "Grey's Anatomy."
Political Drama: Political dramas are stories that focus on political power, often examining themes of corruption, ambition, and morality. These films explore the complex world of politics, examining the impact of political decisions on individuals and society as a whole. Examples include "All the President's Men," "The Ides of March," and "House of Cards."
Romance Drama: Romance dramas are stories that explore the complexities of love and relationships, often featuring themes of passion, heartbreak, and self-discovery. These films examine the human experience of love, exploring the many facets of romantic relationships. Examples include "The Notebook," "Titanic," and "The Fault in Our Stars."
The history of the dramatic genre has seen many changes and evolutions in the various subgenres, with new ones emerging and old ones evolving over time. The historical drama, for example, has been a prominent subgenre since the early days of cinema. D.W. Griffith's 1915 film "The Birth of a Nation" is an early example of the historical drama, depicting the American Civil War and its aftermath. Similarly, "Braveheart," directed by Mel Gibson in 1995, tells the story of Scottish warrior William Wallace in the 13th century. More recently, "The Last Samurai," directed by Edward Zwick in 2003, explores the culture clash between Japan and the West during the Meiji Restoration.
The courtroom drama, another popular subgenre, has also seen its fair share of evolution. One of the most famous examples of the genre is the 1962 film "To Kill a Mockingbird," which follows a lawyer defending a black man in the deep South during the 1930s. In more recent years, films like "A Few Good Men" and "The Lincoln Lawyer" have explored the legal system in more modern contexts.
Family dramas have also been a staple of the dramatic genre, with films like "The Godfather" and "Ordinary People" examining the complexities of familial relationships. In more recent years, films like "Little Miss Sunshine" have taken a more lighthearted approach to exploring family dynamics.
Melodramas, with their exaggerated emotions and epic storylines, have been popular since the early days of cinema. "Gone with the Wind," released in 1939, is a classic example of the genre, as is "The Notebook," released in 2004. "The Fault in Our Stars," released in 2014, shows that the genre remains popular today.
Crime dramas have also seen a significant evolution over time, with films like "The Godfather" and "Heat" exploring the criminal underworld in different ways. More recent examples like "The Departed" and "Mystic River" have explored the psychological impact of crime on individuals.
Sports dramas, like "Rocky" and "Remember the Titans," use sports as a metaphor for life, exploring themes of perseverance and determination. War dramas, like "Saving Private Ryan" and "Apocalypse Now," explore the human cost of conflict, while medical dramas, like "Patch Adams" and "Grey's Anatomy," explore the emotional and ethical challenges faced by medical professionals.
Finally, political dramas like "All the President's Men" and "House of Cards" explore the world of politics, examining themes of power, corruption, and morality. Romance dramas, like "Titanic" and "The Fault in Our Stars," explore the complexities of love and relationships. As the dramatic genre continues to evolve and diversify, it is clear that its many subgenres will continue to reflect changes in society, culture, and technology.
Rosebud Lane and its successful elements
In addition to its successful elements, it's worth noting that the title "Rosebud Lane" is a homage to the classic film "Citizen Kane," in which the character's dying words were "Rosebud." Additionally, the sled named "Rosebud" played a significant role in the film's story.
Rosebud Lane is a heartwarming drama film that incorporates several successful elements that are essential for creating an engaging and emotional story. These elements include developing compelling characters, crafting a strong and engaging storyline, creating a sense of authenticity and realism, mastering the art of dialogue, balancing drama and emotion, using music and sound to enhance the story, and incorporating stunning cinematography and visuals that should be apparent in a refined trailer. Interestingly, a well-paced and attention-grabbing trailer as illustrated above, can be a crucial element in successfully marketing a drama film. In the case of "Rosebud Lane," the trailer does an excellent job of giving viewers a taste of what they can expect from the film.
The trailer opens with a sweeping shot of a small town, with a voiceover introducing the story of a family struggling to keep their cinema alive. The opening shots immediately set the tone for the film, with a sense of nostalgia and a love for cinema. As the trailer continues, we see glimpses of the main characters and their relationships with each other, as well as the challenges they face in trying to save their theater.
The trailer also incorporates the use of music and sound to enhance the emotional impact. The score builds in intensity throughout the trailer, creating a sense of tension and urgency as the family fights to save their cinema. The dialogue is also well-crafted, with memorable lines that give insight into the characters and their motivations, leaving the viewers wanting more and eager to see the full story unfold on the big screen.
A key element that make Rosebud Lane an engaging dramatic film is the development of compelling characters. The main character of the film, a father, is driven by his love for cinema and his desire to connect with his son through this shared passion. The father is relatable and likable, making it easy for the audience to emotionally invest in his story. In "Rosebud Lane," the main character's love for cinema is a central theme, much like "Citizen Kane's" focus on the importance of material possessions. The use of film references in the dialogue, such as when characters quote lines from other classic films, adds an additional layer of depth and meaning to the story.The supporting characters, including the son and the father's family and friends, are also well-developed and add depth to the storyline.