TV: Introduction to TV Drama
Use our Media Factsheet archive on the M: drive Media Shared (M:\Resources\A Level\Media Factsheets) or on Google Drive here (you'll need your Greenford Google login) to find Media Factsheet #164 on Television Serial Drama.
1) What is serial television drama? Write your own
8) How can Todorov's theory of equilibrium be applied to TV drama serials?
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 schedule most of their drama serials in blocks of twenty-four one-hour episodes.
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?
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.
1) What is serial television drama? Write your own
definition.
TV dramas are fictional, emotional stories that are told with a dramatic tone.
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 (1961-1969)
Danger Man (1962-1968)
The Sweeney (1975-1978)
Starsky and Hutch (1975-1979)
The A-Team (1983-1987)
Danger Man (1962-1968)
The Sweeney (1975-1978)
Starsky and Hutch (1975-1979)
The A-Team (1983-1987)
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.
Medical- Chicago Med
Science fiction- The 100
Teen- Gossip girl
4) Why is setting so important for TV drama?
4) Why is setting so important for TV drama?
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!)
TV dramas use characters in a way so that they can grow and develop over time.
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 a type of narrative that does not always follow one storyline. Eg, Eastenders.
7) What is a cold opening?
TV dramas use characters in a way so that they can grow and develop over time.
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 a type of narrative that does not always follow one storyline. Eg, Eastenders.
7) What is a cold opening?
It is when producers employ a teaser at the beginning to hook the audience and keep them watching.
8) How can Todorov's theory of equilibrium be applied to TV drama serials?
Most TV dramas move through Todorov’s narrative stages (equilibrium, dis-equilibrium and new equilibrium) though often without the return to equilibrium at the end of each episode.
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 schedule most of their drama serials in blocks of twenty-four one-hour episodes.
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?
The rise in the popularity of streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, the form and content of the serial drama is likely to evolve further. 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 shows that run for less than 60 or even 30 minutes.
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.
Fool me once.
Settings: It was set in the fictional town of Winhurst and filmed around Manchester, England.
Characters:
Narrative: Fool me once was heavily serialized and wad 8 episodes long each around 40 mins.
Form:
12) How might the TV drama genre evolve in future?
Read the whole of Factsheet and answer the following questions to show your comprehensive knowledge of the television drama genre:
12) How might the TV drama genre evolve in future?
Read the whole of Factsheet and answer the following questions to show your comprehensive knowledge of the television drama genre:
In the future Tv dramas may follow the evolution of technology and include a more different narrative from the present. They will explore new techniques and may embrace the new evolving technologies.
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