Introduction to TV Drama: Blog tasks

 1) What is serial television drama? Write your own definition.

A serial is a television show which has a continuous plot that unfolds in sequential episode-by-episode.

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?

Doctor Who, The Avengers (1961-1969) and Danger Man (1962-1968), The Sweeney (1975-1978) and Minder (1979 – 1994). Today all television drama is all shot on film and made like a film, with the same high quality productions values.

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): Brooklyn 99

 Medical: Scrubs

 Period (costume): Victoria

 Science-fiction/fantasy: Spider-Man:

 Family: Friends

 Teen: Stranger Things

4) Why is setting so important for TV drama?

This allows the drama to develop over a long period of time, weathering the comings and goings of the cast members by replacing one archetypal character with another.

5) How do TV dramas typically use character? What audience pleasures can be linked to character in TV drama? (Hint: Uses & Gratifications theory!)

Characters in serial dramas go on a journey, allowing them to change and develop – although not to much or they run the risk of outliving their function in the narrative. Characters gibe audiences personal identification and personal relationships so they find a character relating to them, they also get attached to a certain character. 

6) What is a multi-strand narrative? Give an example of a TV drama that features a multi-strand narrative.

Multi-strand is telling a story from several main characters perspectives who all have their own small story lines within the narratives. 

7) What is a cold opening?

Operating in a tough, commercial environment, drama producers need to hook and maintain their audience with every episode.

8) How can Todorov's theory of equilibrium be applied to TV drama serials?

Through Todorov’s narrative stages though often without the return to equilibrium at the end of each episode. Most police procedurals, however, provide narrative resolution (and reassurance) to fulfil the audience’s need for answers.

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.

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?

Drama serials presented on subscription cable channels, such as HBO, AMC and Showtime are not governed by the same considerations, hence their dramas allow for a lot more adult and challenging content.

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.

Stranger things

• Setting – American high school, teen kids, also in the upside down which is a different world. 

• Characters – old young, older and younger generations , females males, Eleven the female main strong character subverts stereotypes but also they all share being the main characters Max Will  so there is not much of a protagonist All characters work together in a group.  

• Narrative –   a group of friends that try to find their other friend, Will, but they find out that he is trapped in another world. 

• Form – Distributed by Netflix

• Target audience – Teens to early 30s 

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

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.

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