Drama Films: Editing and Sound (technical codes)

The composition of a shot is less important in drama than it is in any other genre. Instead of having many objects in a frame - implying that everything there is important, filmmakers use large amounts of cuts to display what is substantial. When the editing of a drama commences, the editor is most likely working from a script or a storyboard. This is so that they can capture the purpose or message of each scene that the director wishes to convey. The director will have shot a conversation from different angles using closeups and wide shots of the same scene in various takes so it is important that the editor abides by the director's vision. The editor chooses carefully when to focus on the reactions of a character as dialogue is being delivered or whether to stay on the character speaking. This allows tension to build between characters.

The sound of a drama film is usually magnified so that the movements or sounds that come from a person (e.g. sigh, gasp) and their surroundings (Foley) are interpreted by the audience. The drama genre is certainly dramatic, so the incidental music, diegetic or non-diegetic, in a drama film needs to ensure that the audience recognises how to feel.