Home > Subjects > English > English level 3 > 3.4 Visual or oral text > Subject content > Drama production
- Subject: English
- AS: 90723
- Level: 3
- Credits: 3
- External
3.4 Respond critically to oral or visual text studied
Drama production
Drama is an ancient form of entertainment and storytelling used to show the strengths and weaknesses of human nature. You must either have seen and/or participated in a stage production so you can consider the effectiveness of the dramatic production techniques and theatrical qualities used to present literary aspects such as characters, conflict, and themes. Drama is crafted so that every dramatic production technique works together on a visual and oral level to present and support the director's interpretation of the writer's ideas in an interesting and appropriate way.
A technique such as dramatic irony is an effective plot device with high impact. The audience feels rising tension because they can see all the action in the play and have full knowledge of what is going on, unlike the main character who cannot see and hear everything in the play. Techniques such as soliloquy, asides, and monologues – are used to reveal a character's true thoughts, feelings, and motivations to the audience. For definitions go to list of terms William Shakespeare and click on the appropriate words.
In addition to all the major aspects of literature, examination questions may ask you to focus on the characteristics of the drama genre, theme, conflict, and character and how they are presented and related to other aspects of literature, or how techniques such as language or structure have been used to present ideas convincingly in the text, or your understanding of the roles of the director and the audience.
Some key points to study for a drama production
- The genre and quality of the stage craft.
- The influence and role of the director, stage crew and actors.
- Production techniques such as lighting, special effects, sound, and music used to develop and shape understanding of atmosphere, characterisation, conflict, and theme.
- Visual language techniques such as acting, gesture and use of props.
- The role/perception/manipulation of the audience.
- Juxtaposition and scene transitions used to support structure, format, and sequencing of the text.
- How a scene relates to the rest of the play.
