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Drama Research:

Drama films often rely on complex character development. They explore personal, emotional, and social conflicts that are sometimes bigger than the characters themselves. The narratives usually revolve around themes like family, relationships, love, romance, loss, grief, tragedy, personal growth, and identity. 

Drama usually tends to evoke strong emotional feelings from the audiences. They highlight characters inner thoughts, feelings, and most importantly, moral dilemmas. People are interested in drama because it's the one genre that most people can relate to. Its themes and stories provide people a chance to be seen on a grander scale.

Typically, the target audience for drama are people over the age of 18.

Techniques that are usually used in drama are close-ups, slow pacing, minimal action, natural lighting, authentic dialogue, location shooting, subtle musical score, and muted or warm color palettes.

There are many sub-genres of drama, including coming-of-age dramas, prison dramas, and crime dramas. Let’s dive more in depth into coming-of-age and prison dramas.

Examples:

Prison Drama:

The prison sub genres focus heavily on criminal activity. What it's like inside prisons, the struggles of inmates, and the attempts at redemption and survival.

An example of this is Frank Darbont's "ShawShank Redemption".

This film shows precisely what prison drama are made, it shows corruption, hierarchy among inmates, crime backstory. But, most importantly it provides themes of hope and preservance, human connection, freedom, friendship, and justice.

"ShawShank Redemption"uses long takes of prison routines to emphasize oppression, close-ups to capture emotion and introspection, slow pacing to develop relationships and tension, narration to provide insight and reflection.

Coming-of-Age Drama:

The coming of age sub genre is one of the most well-known sub genres. It focuses on emotional and moral growth of a young protagonist. Some key elements include identity formation, personal challenges, and life lessons.

An example is Peter Weir's "Dead Poets Society"

This film perfectly portrays a coming of age story by using Neil Perry, one of the characters in the film, struggles between personal dreams and parental expectations. The "Dead Poets Society" uses themes like mentorship, inspiration, freedom, rebellion, tragedy, and loss.

The "Dead Poets Society" uses techniques like close-ups, music, and symbolism to emphasize emotional and psychological depth.