Film And Print Media

The three differences between a drama and a film are :

i) The first basic difference between a drama and a film is the physical location. A drama is performed in front of a live audience whereas a film is not performed live. In a drama, the actor and the audience are separated by a distance of a few feet in a large auditorium. Every single member of the audience has to see the action as well as hear the dialogue very clearly. This is often why the actors on the stage speak very loudly and exaggerate their movements to reduce this gap. On the other hand, a film is produced by the use of a camera. This helps to bridge the gap between the performer and the audience. His performance is enhanced by the camera, lights and special effects.

ii) Another difference between the two is the content used. Drama involves performing arts which are well known. They are performed in many theatres all over the world such as Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet and many others. The audience has already seen or read about such dramas and has a certain level of expectation. There is no suspense regarding the climax. The director, producers as well as the actors know the play by heart. But a film is a new script. People do not know the plot of the story. So there is no expectation on how a particular role is played. It is the responsibility of the director to cast those people who have the ability to give an excellent performance.

iii) The final difference is that the drama is performed in real time, but the film is not. Since a drama is performed in front of a live audience, there is no scope for a mistake or for forgetting one's line. The actors have to be smart enough to quickly fish a problem if any arises such as malfunction of a costume or an inadequate prop. The film can have as many retakes as possible if the director is not satisfied with the first one. The actor must have the proper concentration to be in a particular character at any time.

I have read a story by the name ‘Diary of a young girl’ also known as ‘Diary of Anne Frank.’ It was a diary maintained by Anne Frank for two years when she was in hiding during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. This is an extremely intriguing and inspiring story which would look even better if made into a small film.

The different people that would be required for this film are :

i) A producer.

ii) A director

iii) A set of actors

iv) Writer

v) Editor

vi) A team of cameraman and lighting

vii) The art department consisting of costumes, hair, makeup, and construction of the set.

viii) Sound mixer

ix) Director of photography

x) Cinematographer

Cinema has the power to influence the thinking of the people. No doubt it has brought about a change in society and social trends. Cinema can be called as a pacesetter as it creates a direct impact on our social life. The greatest potential of cinema is that it is the most effective mass media instrument. But the people are lost in the showbiz of cinema that they have never actually evaluated and analyzed its effect on our social life. Cinema can be a medium of mass destruction as well as mass education. There are two sides of this coin- advantages and disadvantages.

ADVANTAGES:

1. The first advantage of cinema is that it provides a source of entertainment. All the people whether young or old, want some recreation. Watching a film at home or even in theatre can give you a good experience. The moment they start watching a film, they enter into a new world where the mind is at ease.

2. A film is a collaborative work. Different people come together to create a film as a team. This team includes actors, director, producer technicians, cinematographer, etc. It promotes a healthy spirit of teamwork.

3. Nowadays many books are being converted into films. We can see the literary adaption of drama, novels, and comic books into films. This is immensely popular in the children and the younger generation. Examples include Superman, Harry Potter, Batman, Hobbit, etc.

4. Cinema helps to depict the custom and tradition of different parts of the world. We are able to travel virtually to different places just by sitting at our home. It also gives an insight about different activities and a better understanding of people all around the world.

5. Cinema can also be observed as a medium of education. There are many films that depict our history, politics. technology and documentary on science. It helps us to understand our past, present, and future in a more detailed manner. The people are also able to retain this into their minds for a long time because it is presented to them through visual means.

6. Cinema also helps to generate a large amount of revenue in the treasury. Poets and authors are able to gain royalty and many other benefits when their work is adapted into a movie. It also provides employment to different people such as dressmakers, technicians, photographer, etc.

DISADVANTAGES:

1. Cinema can also be a factor of spreading violence. These movies are not suitable for children as well as the youth of the country. Such movies depict different ways of physical abuse and torture which are not suitable for the young mind.

2. At times cinema falls in the hands of stereotypes. Different parts and communities of the world are shown in certain regressive manners which can hurt their sentiments.

3. Often cinema is portrayed having no respect for law and order. It shows that a certain law is being broken very easily and quickly. Stealing, domestic violence, shoplifting, robbing a bank, bullying are few in the list.

4. Cinema often makes people a couch potato. The addiction to movies can be expensive as well as affect our mental health.

5. Certain movies have a conflicting theme. This creates issues between different communities which often end in violence.

6. Cinema also portrays certain manners which are immoral and indecent in nature.

So it is very important that the filmmaker must understand the value of cinema in an ordinary person's life and a proper theme should be projected. Movies are like a mirror so the people must try to grab the advantages over the disadvantages.

Cinema has changed over the years. Themes that were introduced in the early years are in complete contrast to the current themes.

The movies of earlier days were mostly black and white. The posters of movies were painted with hands, and not much promotion was required. They were only advertised through radio and newspaper. They were of simple themes either of comedy, drama, romance, or action genre. They were shot in a film studio, and foreign shoot was not common. With 2-3 dedicated actors and a few songs, the movie was greatly appreciated among the audience. They had a limited budget and a limited technology.

Now the movies are completely different. The first major change was the introduction of coloured movies. Earlier a poster was sufficient to launch a movie, but now a teaser, a motion poster, a trailer, music launch, etc are just a few things required to introduce a movie. The cast of the movie is also involved in many promotional activities of the film. The heavy advertisement is done through TV, newspaper, magazine, and billboards. They are shot in the local studios as well as in many exotic foreign locations. Although they are of the same genre, the way of portraying a story is changed. Some movies have just one leading role while others have as many as 6-7 actors. They are shot with a great budget and expertise technology.

The Indian press has played a very important and memorable role in the struggle for freedom. Newspaper helped in spreading awareness about the real intentins of British rulers.

1. Raja Ram Mohan Roy was the founder of national press in India. His Sambad-Kaumudi in Bengali published in 1821, and Mirat-Ul-Akbar in Persian published in 1822, where the first Publication in India with a distinct appreciation.

2. Fardaonji Murzban was the pioneer of the Vernacular Press in Bombay. He started Bombay Samachar in 1822.

3. Many other powerful newspapers were published from 1870 to 1918. Such as Hindu and Swadesamitran under the editorship of G. Subramaniya Iyer, Voice of India under Dadabhai Naoroji, Kesari and Mahratta under B.G. Tilak, Amrita Bazar Patrika under Sisir Kumar Ghosh, Indian Mirror under N.N. Sen, etc.

4. The press was the main instrument to carry out different political tasks. The formation of different national groups, the work of the National Congress, the resolution of the meeting and the proceedings of these meetings were all carried out through newspapers.

5. Many of the leaders of the freedom movement had turned into journalist to express their idea to the masses.

6. The people were interested in reading the ideas which threatened the Britishers. They restricted the freedom by the introduction of the Vernacular Press Act in 1878.

7. Under this act, the publishers had to submit all their content to the police before publication. The police used to decide the news to be printed, and others were deleted. Many presses where shut down and editors were jailed.

8. The national East groups campaign against this act and eventually it was removed.

9. The Indian press enjoyed considerable freedom until 1930.

10. The Press law of 1932 and the Foreign Relations Act of 1932 diminished the freedom.

Press was a very important tool for social reforms such as the ban on child marriage, dowry, remarriage of widow, etc. It helped to bring about equality among men and women. It also helped people to understand that untouchability is a crime. It helped them to come together and express their opinion to the masses. So it played an extremely important role in the freedom movement of the country.