Introduction to Drama unit
Section 5
Introduction to conventions
Learning Intentions
By the end of this section you will:

Know what a convention is.

Know what a Freeze Frame, narration, split
scene and flashback are.

Have worked in groups to create performances
that use conventions.
What is a convention?
A convention is an alternative way of
presenting parts of a drama.
They make the drama exciting and change
the structure of the story so that the
audience are not getting bored.
Freeze Frame

You have done freeze
frames in previous
drama lessons can
you remember some
of the things you
need to consider
when creating a
freeze frame?
Important aspects to remember
when creating a freeze frame:
Use of levels
 Use of angles
 Masking
 Use of space to suggest
relationship or place
 Facial Expression
 Body language
 Use of direction
 Positioning
 Balance

Task

In groups, using your knowledge of voice,
movement and space, create a FREEZE
FRAME called ‘The Argument’.

In your freeze frame, there should be two
people having the argument and the rest
should be listening in.
Narration
Narration is when parts of the drama
are told as a story by a narrator.
In your groups you should have one person
come out of your freeze frame to narrate
the story.
Task

In the same groups choose one person to
be the narrator. They will come out of the
freeze frame and describe what is
happening.

Make sure you tell the audience:



Who is involved.
Where they are.
What they are arguing about.
Split Scene
A split scene is where one half
of the action comes to life
while the other half of the
action stays frozen.
Task
Your performance should begin with your
argument freeze frame.
 Then the two characters who are arguing will
come to life while the people who are listening
stay frozen.
 Once they have finished they will freeze and the
characters that are listening will come to life.
 Your performance should finish with everyone
returning to the freeze frame.

What is a flashback?
Acting out an event in
the past.
The Task

In the present
 Begin

with your ‘Argument’ Freeze frame.
In the past
 Show
a flash back of what happened before the
argument, e.g. what caused it?

In the present
 Finish
by returning to your original freeze frame.
Self Evaluation
When writing your self evaluation you should think
about:

What you think you did well.

What you think you could improve on next time.



Did the audience understand what was happening in your
performance?
Was the narration loud and clear?
Did you work well as a group?