An introduction to TV Drama: Blog task
Use our Media Factsheet archive on the M: drive Media Shared (M:\Resources\A Level\Media Factsheets) to find Media Factsheet #164 on Television Serial Drama. Save it to USB or email it to yourself so you have access to the reading for homework. 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 serial television drama is a set if episodes that consist of one narrative throughout a season with cliff hangers at the end of each episode to keep the audience interested with the series. The episodes are a gradual build up of tension as in the end there will be a answer or an issue will be resolved.
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?
Dr. Who
Eastenders
Casualty
Holby City
Doctors
3) List the sub-genres of TV drama featured in the factsheet. Come up with your own example of an existing TV dramas to fit each category.
Most television dramas follow a set narrative structure, compromising a story of the week delivering narrative resolution at the end of each episode.
4) Why is setting so important for TV drama?
Setting is extremely important for TV drama because it communicates with the audience and gives enigma codes such e.g. Why are they here? What's going to happen?
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 allow the audience to build relationships with the characters. They also may be able to relate with what the character is going through which is an audience pleasure.
6) What is a multi-strand narrative? Give an example of a TV drama that features a multi-strand narrative.
An isolated group of characters.
7) What is a cold opening?
A cold opening is when it goes straight to the narrative without any credits given in the beginning.
8) How can Todorov's theory of equilibrium be applied to TV drama serials?
All TV drama series have an equilibrium where everything is in peace. The disequilibrium is when someone comes/happens to disrupt the peace. The new equilibrium is when the problem has been sorted out and they're back in peace.
9) What is the typical form for TV dramas and how are the programmes typically distributed to an audience?
A good example of this is Eastenders. Eastenders has a cast with young people/teenagers and also with elder people/middle-aged. This lets all ages watch Eastenders as they all can build personal relationships with the characters and is able to relate with them.
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?
Subscription channels have fixed times to watch programmes whereas, with streaming services you can watch anything you'd like at any time you want.
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.
Top Boy
Setting: Set on the fictional Summerhouse housing estate in Hackney, East London.
Characters: Ashley Walters (Dushane), Kane Robinson (Sully), Shone Romulus (Dris), Malcom Kamulete (Ra'Nell)
Narrative: The series follows the lives of a group of people involved in drug dealing and street gangs.
Running Time: Approx. 48 Minutes.
12) How might the TV drama genre evolve in future?
There is a rising number of international content. For smaller TV drama's the only way of surviving is through promotion.
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