An introduction to TV Drama: Blog task

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

 A serial television drama is a dramatic TV show that has multiple series 

 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?
  • Pride and Prejudice (1996)
  • EastEnders
  • The Avengers (1961-1969)
  • Danger Man (1962-1968)
  • The Sweeney (1975-1978)
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): an example of a crime TV drama would be Criminal Minds
  • Medical: House
  • Period: Casanova
  • Science-fiction/fantasy: Star Treck
  • Family: Gilmore girls
  • Teen: Buffy the vampire slayer 
4) Why is setting so important for TV drama?
Having a recurring setting within a TV shown allows the TV show to develop over a longer period of time, they do this by not only weathering down the comings with the setting but by also replacing one archetype character with another resulting in the show not going stale.

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

 There are multiple ways in which TV dramas choose to create a character to help reflect certain audiences and to become relatable. There are certain stereotypical types of characters that are often used in a media that help fuel the gratification theory gratifications, e,g TV dramas create a relatable character for audience members that look for a character they want to connect with.

 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 an episode or series that has multiple narratives going at the same time, there can be an overarching narrative although.

7) What is a cold opening?
A cold opening is an opening to an episode that opens with the actual show instead of a title or intro sequence, this creates interest in the audience before they switch the channel.

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

 Todorov's theory of equilibrium implies that there must be a state of equilibrium until a villain or event causes a disequilibrium, TV dramas can use this theory to help shape an episode, series or even the entire show, this gives the TV drama a traditional and recognized beginning, middle and end.

 9) What is the typical form for TV dramas and how are the programmes typically distributed to an audience?
The programs are normally distributed through pay to view TV. TV dramas are also normally either one narrative or multistrand narrative.

 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?
These subscription channels provide the TV dramas on demand, this effects the success of cable TV shows.

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.


12) How might the TV drama genre evolve in future?
I believe that the actual conventions of TV drama may remain for a while, the subject matter may evolve to more modern day political and social issues 

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