TV: Introduction to TV Drama
1) What is serial television drama? Write your own definition.
The drama 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 Avengers (1961-1969) and Danger Man (1962-1968) being notable examples. Euston Films, creators of
The Sweeney (1975-1978) and Minder (1979 – 1994),
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): How to get away with murder
Medical: Grey's Anatomy
Period (costume): Downtown Abbey
Science-fiction/fantasy: Doctor Who
Family: Friday Night Lights
Teen: Gossip Girl
4) Why is setting so important for TV drama?
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!)
Unlike the early drama series, characters in serial dramas go on a journey, allowing them to change and develop – although not too much or they run the risk of outliving their function in the narrative. This causes us to get close with characters and build a relationship and relate with their struggles.
6) What is a multi-strand narrative? Give an example of a TV drama that features a multi-strand narrative.
A heavy serialised drama like Downton Abbey serves its large cast of characters by playing out multiple stories in the space of an episode and developing these stories across a whole series. This is a multi strand narrative.
7) What is a cold opening?
Employ a teaser at the beginning to hook the audience and keep them watching. This is also referred to as a cold opening to generate enigma or intrigue before the title sequence or first commercial break
(which in the US are frequent).
8) How can Todorov's theory of equilibrium be applied to TV drama serials?
Generally, stories move through Todorov’s narrative stages 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?
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 Sopranos (HBO), Breaking Bad (AMC), and Dexter (Showtime) with their anti-hero protagonists would not play on free-to-air network television as many potential advertisers would not want to associate
their products with such 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.
Doctor who
SETTING
Although the setting of Doctor who changes constantly because the show is sci-fi therefore its located in many locations, The shows has a recurring setting which is the Tardis and the audience is suppose to have a sense of familiarity with the tardis. They do change the tardis every season so the audience and fan base doesn't get tired of the same setting and creates more attention and excitement each season when the tardis change.
CHARATCER
Doctor who usually consists of the main character, The Doctor, where most of the narrative is based around him. Every three season the Doctor regenerates (changes) so the show can continue and regeneration of the doctor makes the audience stay hooked to the show. Usually the doctor has a companion who stays for an x amount of seasons and they usually develop and grow with the Doctor and have alot of influence over the narrative.
NARRATIVE
Usually the narrative of doctor who is episodically but it usually has a narrative arc which connects the episodes in the season
12) How might the TV drama genre evolve in future?
As the film industry moves towards a model of making only high or low budget films, television drama is filling the void vacated by the midbudget
movie (which is much harder to turn a profit on). 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. However, as television - with the aid of co-production budgets - makes bigger and more international content
there is a fear that the TV producers are moving away from making smaller scale content aimed primarily at domestic audiences.
The drama 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 Avengers (1961-1969) and Danger Man (1962-1968) being notable examples. Euston Films, creators of
The Sweeney (1975-1978) and Minder (1979 – 1994),
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): How to get away with murder
Medical: Grey's Anatomy
Period (costume): Downtown Abbey
Science-fiction/fantasy: Doctor Who
Family: Friday Night Lights
Teen: Gossip Girl
4) Why is setting so important for TV drama?
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!)
Unlike the early drama series, characters in serial dramas go on a journey, allowing them to change and develop – although not too much or they run the risk of outliving their function in the narrative. This causes us to get close with characters and build a relationship and relate with their struggles.
6) What is a multi-strand narrative? Give an example of a TV drama that features a multi-strand narrative.
A heavy serialised drama like Downton Abbey serves its large cast of characters by playing out multiple stories in the space of an episode and developing these stories across a whole series. This is a multi strand narrative.
7) What is a cold opening?
Employ a teaser at the beginning to hook the audience and keep them watching. This is also referred to as a cold opening to generate enigma or intrigue before the title sequence or first commercial break
(which in the US are frequent).
8) How can Todorov's theory of equilibrium be applied to TV drama serials?
Generally, stories move through Todorov’s narrative stages 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?
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 Sopranos (HBO), Breaking Bad (AMC), and Dexter (Showtime) with their anti-hero protagonists would not play on free-to-air network television as many potential advertisers would not want to associate
their products with such 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.
Doctor who
SETTING
Although the setting of Doctor who changes constantly because the show is sci-fi therefore its located in many locations, The shows has a recurring setting which is the Tardis and the audience is suppose to have a sense of familiarity with the tardis. They do change the tardis every season so the audience and fan base doesn't get tired of the same setting and creates more attention and excitement each season when the tardis change.
CHARATCER
Doctor who usually consists of the main character, The Doctor, where most of the narrative is based around him. Every three season the Doctor regenerates (changes) so the show can continue and regeneration of the doctor makes the audience stay hooked to the show. Usually the doctor has a companion who stays for an x amount of seasons and they usually develop and grow with the Doctor and have alot of influence over the narrative.
NARRATIVE
Usually the narrative of doctor who is episodically but it usually has a narrative arc which connects the episodes in the season
12) How might the TV drama genre evolve in future?
As the film industry moves towards a model of making only high or low budget films, television drama is filling the void vacated by the midbudget
movie (which is much harder to turn a profit on). 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. However, as television - with the aid of co-production budgets - makes bigger and more international content
there is a fear that the TV producers are moving away from making smaller scale content aimed primarily at domestic audiences.
Comments
Post a Comment