Understanding Drama: Conflict, Narrative, and Storytelling in Audiovisual Works
I. Introduction to Drama
a) What is Drama?
Drama, in its simplest form, is a representation of action presented to an audience. This action is driven by characters and fueled by conflict.
The Foundation of Drama:
- Conflict (Struggle of wills)
- Action
- Characters (Personajes)
b) Law of Conflict
A conflict in drama should be a dramatic social conflict.
c) Classification of Conflicts
- Man against Man
- Man against his Environment
- Man against Himself
d) Theme
The theme is the core essence of a work, expressed in a single sentence. It should clearly define the subject and the predominant idea of the story. A well-defined theme, along with the premise, ensures the understanding and quality of the audiovisual work.
e) Premise
The premise is the ethical conclusion of the story; the moral.
f) Perspective
Perspective refers to the author’s position on the premise they want to convey to the viewer. It is a crucial element in visual narrative as it reflects the author’s thoughts and intentions, allowing them to effectively communicate their message.
g) Clarity of Theme
Clarifying the theme is crucial because it is intrinsically linked to the conflict. The theme should be completely identifiable with a specific word or phrase. If the theme is unclear, the story’s ending can become lost, leading to a confusing experience for the audience. For example, the theme of Romeo and Juliet is forbidden love. This clear theme allows the viewer to understand and connect with the story.
II. Dramatic Action and Sequence
a) Dramatic Action
Dramatic action must involve conflict, which is the foundation of drama. This conflict, often a struggle between characters over a specific problem, is enacted throughout the story and holds significant relevance.
b) Dramatic Sequence
A dramatic sequence is a series of events connected by a conflict and resolved through actions. It can be seen as a sequence of scenes containing these actions.
III. Narrative and Dramatic Sequence
a) Narrative
A narrative is a chain of events linked by cause-and-effect relationships and unfolding within a specific time and space.
b) Importance of Causality, Time, and Space
Understanding a narrative requires these three elements: causality, time, and space. They are essential for describing events and how they relate to each other.
IV. Audiovisual Storytelling
a) Audiovisual Story
An audiovisual story is a method of representing and organizing the events that comprise a narrative. The images and audio must work together to support the narration.
b) Importance of Image in the Story
The image is crucial because it represents; it is both a sign and a symbol.
V. The Value of Grammatical Construction
Considering the grammatical construction is vital for expressing ideas adequately and achieving coherence. Phonetic value, referring to sound and rhythm, should also be considered to maintain a consistent pace and avoid misleading the audience. The stylistic value encompasses emotions and spiritual quality, reflecting the author’s perspective, experiences, and intended message.
VI. Mytho-Poetic Capacity
a) The Mytho-Poetic Ability
The mytho-poetic ability (emotional hemisphere) refers to the human capacity to utilize and reinterpret myths, ensuring their continued relevance. This ability is linked to imaginative productivity and is influenced by environmental and cultural contexts.
b) Jung’s Perspective on Myths
While Jung viewed myths as expressions of archetypes within the unconscious, this perspective can be debated. Myths can also be seen as fictional stories created by a society to evoke specific emotions in others, not necessarily unconsciously.
c) Resolving Conflicts Through Media
We must be prepared to analyze how conflicts presented through media, particularly through images, can mobilize inner feelings within the viewer.
VII. Mimesis, Diegesis, and Other Dramatic Elements
a) Mimesis
Mimesis refers to a well-executed representation that evokes pleasure in the viewer. A good film, through effective mimesis, allows the audience to become engrossed in the story without feeling deceived.
b) Diegesis
Diegesis is a story that the audience can engage with through their imagination. It relies on the narrator’s credibility and is often conveyed verbally, although some diegesis can be represented visually.
c) Vicissitude
Vicissitude is a sudden change in a situation, often leading to complications in the story’s development.
d) Fear
Fear is evoked when a virtuous character is pursued by an antagonist, particularly when the protagonist is vulnerable. This vulnerability heightens the audience’s sense of fear.
e) Piety (Compassion)
Piety, or compassion, arises during turning points or moments of inflection that generate fear and/or tension. This can be caused by familial bonds or friendships.
VIII. Story and Plot
The story encompasses all the events in a narrative, both explicit and implicit. The plot, on the other hand, refers to what is visibly and audibly presented in the film. While the plot includes all explicitly expressed events, the story extends beyond the plot by suggesting events that are never directly witnessed. The viewer constructs the complete story in their mind based on the cues provided by the plot.