introduction to tv drama

 Read the whole of Factsheet and answer the following questions to show your comprehensive knowledge of the television drama genre:

1) What is serial television drama? Write your own definition.
A series that tells a story and has a begining, middle and end (equillibrium theory, Todorov.)

2) List five of the TV dramas discussed in the history of the genre on page 1 of the factsheet. How has the genre evolved over time?
The Avengers

Danger Man

The sweeney

Minder

Starsky and Hutch

The genre used to have story lines that resolve within the episode which was great because the producers got to choose the length of each episode but it was at the cost of character development. Now it has switched from an episodic narrative to a narrative arc.

3) List the sub-genres of TV drama featured in the factsheet. Come up with your own example of an existing TV drama to fit each category.
Police procedural (crime): Luther

Medical: The good doctor

Period (costume): The durrells

Sci-fi/Fantasy: Star Trek

Family: Dynasty

Teen: Gossip Girl

4) Why is setting so important for TV drama?
Because they play out "precinct" or communal location inhabited y the ensemble cast of characters. It is important top the story line to understand the context of what is happening.

5) How do TV dramas typically use character? What audience pleasures can be linked to character in TV drama? (Hint: Uses & Gratifications theory!)
The character, for the audience, could be for Personal identity or relationships. Because of the similarity of the character to the viewer they might identify with them and create a personal attachment whilst viewing the series.

6) What is a multi-strand narrative? Give an example of a TV drama that features a multi-strand narrative.
A multi-strand narrative is when they don't only follow one story line, instead it is multiple storylines within the series. This is usually in Soap operas, for example Dynasty.

7) What is a cold opening?
An opening before the title sequence of the film/ series

8) How can Todorov's theory of equilibrium be applied to TV drama serials?
They have a Equillibrium, Disequilibrium and a New equilibrium.

9) What is the typical form for TV dramas and how are the programmes typically distributed to an audience?

In the US, the commercial networks (ABC, CBS, NBC) schedule most of their drama serials in blocks of twenty-four one-hour episodes, effectively spanning half the calendar year.

In order to accommodate so many commercial breaks the running time of a network drama is around 42 minutes, presenting more simplistic narratives that can weather frequent interruption.

10) How have subscription channels (such as HBO) and streaming services (such as Netflix and Amazon Prime) changed the form and content of TV dramas?

 As audiences consume content in different ways serial dramas may become more

diverse and targeted toward niche groups. Online programme makers are starting to create more short form content, leading to drama serials that run for much less than 60, or even, 30 minutes. Interactivity is a key feature on non-scripted programming.

11) Choose a TV drama and do your own analysis of it using the SETTING / CHARACTERS / NARRATIVE / FORM headings as featured on page 3 of the factsheet.
Dynasty

 

Setting:  America. CITY 

Characters: The carringtons, Robert christopher riley, Alan dale, liam ridley, Sam jones etc

Narrative:  After ever resolve a new problem emerges.

Form: 1 hr and episode.

12) How might the TV drama genre evolve in future?

As Hollywood concentrates on superheroes, special effects and high octane action, many film actors are turning to television to play ‘difficult’, often morally ambiguous, characters in more complex and challenging narratives. This trend is likely to continue.