TV: Introduction to TV Drama
1) What is serial television drama? Write your own definition.
A serial television drama is serial differs from a drama series in that it tells a story, and delivers narrative resolution, in a number of parts over a period of time.
A serial television drama is serial differs from a drama series in that it tells a story, and delivers narrative resolution, in a number of parts over a period of time.
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 5 TV dramas discussed is Hill Street Blues, Holby City, Eastenders, Casualty and Doctor Who.
The 5 TV dramas discussed is Hill Street Blues, Holby City, Eastenders, Casualty and Doctor Who.
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.
Police Procedural (crime) : Luther
Police Procedural (crime) : Luther
Medical: Ambulance
Period (custom): Downton Abbey
Science-fiction/fantasy: Star Trek
Family: Friday Night lights
Teen: Riverdale
4) Why is setting so important for TV drama?
Setting is important for TV drama because serial dramas play out in a ‘precinct’ or communal location inhabited by the ensemble cast of characters.
Setting is important for TV drama because serial dramas play out in a ‘precinct’ or communal location inhabited by the ensemble cast of characters.
5) How do TV dramas typically use character? What audience pleasures can be linked to character in TV drama? (Hint: Uses & Gratifications theory!)
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.
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.
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 narrative with lots of characters.
A multi-strand narrative is a narrative with lots of characters.
7) What is a cold opening?
A cold opening is when the opening directly jumps in to the story at the beginning.
A cold opening is when the opening directly jumps in to the story at the beginning.
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?
They are typically distributed by advertising in between a break that has the similar genre as the one that is being is advertised.
They are typically distributed by advertising in between a break that has the similar genre as the one that is being is advertised.
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 form has changed the form and contact of TV dramas because they have more content that would attract generally most people.
Subscription form has changed the form and contact of TV dramas because they have more content that would attract generally most people.
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.
Luther
Luther
Setting: London buildings, offices and London homes
Characters: Luther, Ripley, Luther’s wife and many more
Narrative: About a police officer who solved mystery but sometimes gets tangled within them.
12) How might the TV drama genre evolve in future?
TV drama genre evolve in future moves towards a model of making only high or low budget films, television drama is filling the void vacated by the mid- budget movie (which is much harder to turn a profit on).
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