Dramatic convention
Encyclopedia
Dramatic Conventions are the specific actions or techniques the actor, writer or director has employed to create a desired dramatic effect/style.
A dramatic convention is a set of rules,which both the audience and actor
s are familiar with and which act as a useful way of quickly signifying the nature of the action or of a character.
All forms of theatre have dramatic conventions, some of which may be unique to that particular form, such as the poses used by actors in Japanese kabuki
theatre to establish a character, or the stock character
of the black-cloaked, moustache twirling villain in early cinema melodrama
serials.
It can also include an implausible facet of a performance required by the technical limitations or artistic nature of a production and which is accepted by the audience as part of suspension of disbelief
. For example, a dramatic convention in Shakespeare is that a character can move downstage to deliver a soliloquy
which cannot be heard by the other characters on stage nor are characters in a musical
surprised by another character bursting into song. One more example would be how the audience accepts the passage of time during a play or how music will play during a romantic scene.
Dramatic conventions may be categorized into groups, such as Rehearsal, Technical or Theatrical.
Rehearsal Conventions can include Hot Seating, Role on the Wall or Still Images. Technical Conventions can include Lighting, Dialogue, Monologue, Set, Costuming or Entrances/Exits. Theatrical Conventions may include Split Focus, Flashback/Flashforward, Narration, Soliloquy and Spoken Thought.
Dramatic conventions and stage settings help enthral those who want to be enthralled.
A dramatic convention is a set of rules,which both the audience and actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
s are familiar with and which act as a useful way of quickly signifying the nature of the action or of a character.
All forms of theatre have dramatic conventions, some of which may be unique to that particular form, such as the poses used by actors in Japanese kabuki
Kabuki
is classical Japanese dance-drama. Kabuki theatre is known for the stylization of its drama and for the elaborate make-up worn by some of its performers.The individual kanji characters, from left to right, mean sing , dance , and skill...
theatre to establish a character, or the stock character
Stock character
A Stock character is a fictional character based on a common literary or social stereotype. Stock characters rely heavily on cultural types or names for their personality, manner of speech, and other characteristics. In their most general form, stock characters are related to literary archetypes,...
of the black-cloaked, moustache twirling villain in early cinema melodrama
Melodrama
The term melodrama refers to a dramatic work that exaggerates plot and characters in order to appeal to the emotions. It may also refer to the genre which includes such works, or to language, behavior, or events which resemble them...
serials.
It can also include an implausible facet of a performance required by the technical limitations or artistic nature of a production and which is accepted by the audience as part of suspension of disbelief
Suspension of disbelief
Suspension of disbelief or "willing suspension of disbelief" is a formula for justifying the use of fantastic or non-realistic elements in literary works of fiction...
. For example, a dramatic convention in Shakespeare is that a character can move downstage to deliver a soliloquy
Soliloquy
A soliloquy is a device often used in drama whereby a character relates his or her thoughts and feelings to him/herself and to the audience without addressing any of the other characters, and is delivered often when they are alone or think they are alone. Soliloquy is distinct from monologue and...
which cannot be heard by the other characters on stage nor are characters in a musical
Musical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
surprised by another character bursting into song. One more example would be how the audience accepts the passage of time during a play or how music will play during a romantic scene.
Dramatic conventions may be categorized into groups, such as Rehearsal, Technical or Theatrical.
Rehearsal Conventions can include Hot Seating, Role on the Wall or Still Images. Technical Conventions can include Lighting, Dialogue, Monologue, Set, Costuming or Entrances/Exits. Theatrical Conventions may include Split Focus, Flashback/Flashforward, Narration, Soliloquy and Spoken Thought.
Dramatic conventions and stage settings help enthral those who want to be enthralled.