Portfolio genre research

 GENRE

I’m trying to decide between drama and mystery/thriller for my portfolio project. Both genres are really interesting and would make my film more engaging. Drama would focus more on emotions and personal struggles, while mystery/thriller would make the audience curious and keep them on edge. I think either one could work well, so I did some research on both.

CHARACTERISTICS OF DRAMA

 

(Beautiful Boy - 2018)

Drama movies are all about emotions and real-life problems. They usually focus on relationships, family, or personal struggles. The way they are filmed is pretty simple, with a lot of close-up shots to show emotions and soft lighting to make things feel more personal. Drama movies usually take their time telling a story so the audience can really connect with the characters.

WHAT MAKES A DRAMA GOOD?

A drama movie needs strong characters and a good emotional story. If the audience doesn’t care about what’s happening, the movie won’t be interesting. Acting is super important because if the emotions don’t feel real, the whole thing falls apart. The dialogue also has to sound natural, or it can feel forced. A good drama makes people feel something, whether it’s happy, sad, or even frustrated.

(Manchester by the Sea - 2016)

This movie is a good example of drama done right. The story is really emotional, and the characters feel like real people. It doesn’t have crazy twists or action—it just focuses on how the characters deal with their problems, which makes it super powerful.

CHARACTERISTICS OF MYSTERY/THRILLER

(Gone Girl - 2014)

Mystery/thriller movies are all about keeping the audience guessing. They usually start with a big question or something weird happening, and then more clues come in as the story goes on. These movies use darker lighting and creepy music to make things feel more intense. The pacing is usually faster than drama because it needs to keep people hooked.

WHAT MAKES A MYSTERY/THRILLER GOOD?

A good mystery/thriller needs to keep the audience interested and not give everything away too fast. If people can guess the ending right away, it’s not fun to watch. These movies should have little hints that make sense later on but don’t reveal too much at once. Editing and music also help a lot—quick cuts and creepy sounds can make things feel more intense.

(Prisoners - 2013)

This movie is a great example of a thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The story slowly reveals more and more clues, making you wonder what’s going to happen next. It also looks really dark and intense, which adds to the suspense.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Both of these genres are really cool, and I like that they can be mixed together. A drama can have mystery, and a thriller can have emotional moments. I’m still deciding which one to go with, but either way, I want my film to be interesting and make people feel something.

 

Works Cited

Franco Seguer. “Manchester by the Sea (2016) - Opening Credits [HD].” YouTube, 25 Feb. 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrP1Tl8xuNo. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

JoBlo Movie Clips. “GONE GIRL Opening Scene (2014) David Fincher.” YouTube, 28 Aug. 2023, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Khzdkne_fPc. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

Jos Vermeulen. “Prisoners (2013) Intro.” YouTube, 15 Nov. 2013, www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_VJvwnlHVI. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

mclovin456. “Timothée Chalamet Beautiful Boy Opening Scene.” YouTube, 30 June 2022, www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBt8RVLNo4w. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.