FILM GENRE RESEARCH:

As a sub-genre of ‘Drama’, Urban Drama is known for its

illustrations of a realistic outlook in society and

expressing social issues.

Urban Drama films began in the late 1980s to 90s and

currently hitting mainstream in the 00s. In a explicit

manor ‘Hood films’ often show aspects of urban ‘Black culture’ such as: rap, gangs,

drugs, racism, murder, violence and profanity.

The protagonist in Urban Drama films tends to be a reflection of where he/she

originates from, almost building them as a ‘Product of the environment’. Films that portray this prominent role is ‘Menace II Society’, ‘Juice’, ‘Kidulthood’ and ‘Ill

Manors’.

Much like ‘Social realist’ films, Urban Drama films are also seen to be ‘educational’

and seek to educate audiences about these social

issues.

Over the recent years independent Urban Drama films have made a bonus in

the movie, Blu-ray/DVDs markets as well.

HISTORY:

PREMATURE URBAN DRAMA FILMS: Boyz N the Hood (1991)

Juice (1992) Menace II Society (1993) Dead Presidents (1995) Higher Learning (1995)

Poetic Justice (1993) Above The Rim (1994)

Do The Right Thing (1989)

contemporary URBAN DRAMA FILMS:

Bullet Boy (2005) Get Rich or Die

Tryin’ (2005) Ill Manors (2012) Kidulthood (2006)

8 Mile (2002) City of God

(2003) Victim (2012)

Actors & Directors Notable Actors:

Actors: Samuel L. Jackson

Wesley Snipes Ice Cube

Terrence Howard Morris Chestnut Tupac Shakur Chris Tucker Wood Harris Noel Clarke Snoop Dogg

Ashley Walters Tyrese

50 Cent

Notable Directors: John Singleton

Spike Lee Noel Clarke Ben Drew

Jules Dassin Jean-Luc Godard Sidney Lumet

Ken Loach

Narrative Structure:1. The protagonist is

illustrated with their environment/social

class. Also, the protagonists family and

friends are shown as well so that the

audience is aware with his/hers relationships with other characters.

2. Then a distribution of the equilibrium is

situated, founded by the environment or the antagonist which brings

upon issues for the protagonist.

3. Protagonist undergoes through life-threatening encounters or chooses a decision to even issues

out. Fir example: Seeking revenge.

4. In that case, the protagonist either has made an escape from

his/her problems due to their decisions, or the

protagonist choices has led to another death of

a loved one or themselves.Kidulthood. (Example):

Narrative Structure part 2:

‘Todorov’s Theory’ implies that the narrative

leads of a basic structure. For instance at the start of the film the

atmosphere is in a equilibrium, though it is

breached during the mid-point of the film and it revolves around the

protagonist. Then at the end the matter is

resolved and a new equilibrium arrives.

In comparison Urban Drama films express vague connection to

Todorov’s theory as the narrative starts with the

impartial ambience yet in the middle of the film the conflicting issues start to happen till it reaches a tense moment in the

film. And the film usually has altered endings

which could raise biased views whether ‘good’ or

‘bad’.

Poetic Justice. (Example):

Archetypes in Urban Drama Protagonist:

Protagonist: Main character or plot based character, either in a

group or Environment: Urban deprived areas/Inner-city/Ghetto area that

contains as single person. negative aspects, that the protagonist tries to overcome

Tends to be serious or sensible than his/her friends. or survive in.

May have a negative outlook on life due to social class Projects/Council Estates, Cages or Rucker Parks. and

environment. Alleyways, Broken down buildings/Illegal shelters. From a dysfunctional home. E.g. No father figure. Possibly in a current relationship. Bars, Brothels,

Night-Clubs. Trap-houses/Drug Houses, Gang territory Antagonist: Prison/Jail Considered the rival of the protagonist or

a trouble- maker/dangerous person. Others: Traitor or an ex-friend. People that accompany the

main characters in their daily lives. Rival gang-member. Sibling(s). Barbers, Postman or Shopkeeper. Causes from an argument or a ‘petty’ issue. Drunkard or ‘Crack-head’.

Mise-en-scene: Characters wear dark coloured outwear

clothes. This is usually because of the dark atmosphere that is normally set in Urban

Drama films especially UK produced dramas. Hoodies/Tracksuits and Bomber jackets.

Trainers, Watches, Woolly Hats and Sweatpants.

Props such as: Guns, Knifes, Bikes/Cars and Dogs.

Media Conventions Cinematography:

Cinematography: Establishing shots to show

environment of characters.• Close-ups and medium shots conveying emotions at the current

affairs to evoke audience. Tracking shots expresses tension and

action for the audience to follow. For example a chase scene between thugs

and police. POV and eye-line matches involving

the audience in the scene, and creating senses of fear.

Mise-en-scene: Characters wear dark coloured outwear

clothes. This is usually because of the dark atmosphere that is normally set in Urban

Drama films especially UK produced dramas. Hoodies/Tracksuits and Bomber jackets.

Trainers, Watches, Woolly Hats and Sweatpants.

Props such as: Guns, Knifes, Bikes/Cars and Dogs.

Media Conventions (part 2)Sound:

Sound: Sounds in Hood films vary depending on the focus

area of the film. Diegetic sounds of normal conversations usually

colloquial dialect, ambient sound of atmosphere. Non diegetic sounds of music genres such as Hip-

Hop, Grime, Bashment, Garage and R&B. This relates to the fitting of the scenes and also predominantly

focus on Black culture.

Editing: Use of transitions of fade used as memories or

flashbacks during character voice-overs. Cross cutting and Jump cuts to vary flow of the scene

whilst two events are occurring. Editing of all the sounds, for instance the amplifying

and toning to increase tension.