What is a Period Drama?

(Keira Knightly as Elizabeth Bennet in 'Pride & Prejudice')

What is a Costume/Period Drama?

A costume/period drama is a period piece in which elaborate costumes, sets and properties are featured in order to capture the ambiance of a particular era.

Modern Adaptations?

Nearly two centuries after her death, Jane Austen is more popular than ever, and this is thanks to numerous books, TV programmes and film adaptations of her work.  The most recent adaptation was  'Pride & Prejudice' which was made into a blockbuster movie in 2005.  The directors and producers made it appealing to a younger audience by using quick, stylised camera shots and editing.  They also used big screen names such as Kiera Knightly and Brenda Blethen, actors that the public see in modern action/romantic movies.  Many films, such as Bridget Jones' Diary (based on the love triangle of Elizabeth, Mr Darcy and Wickham), are also very popular to the modern day audience, bringing the charm of Austen to a new era.

Why have I chosen to focus on this genre?

From a young age I have loved watching regency styled films, and make connections with modern day society.  I have been influenced through my interest in drama to read Jane Austen, and instanly fell in love with her witty way of writing.  Because of this, I have decided to produce a regency film.

What have I learnt from your genre analysis?

The important roles of women in society for their families well being was extremely high.  You could say that the daughters of the family were the main way of creating financial support.  From my research, I have seen that in most films, the female lead often rebels against this way of society, and finds love not finance.  These types of people have characteristics, and feelings before their time/era.  They are often out spoken, and confident in what they say.  However, they have a certain naivety, and gullible characteristic about them, and they often believe the wrong person.

The men were strong, authoritative figures, that were often secretive of their true identities.  This draws the viewers in, and makes them question/figure out the character alongside the female lead.