TV: Introduction to TV Drama
Read Media Factsheet #164 on Television Serial Drama 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 TV drama that tells a narrative over a period of time and a certain number of episodes.This is different to TV series, where they run, and return, for an indefinite number of years.
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?
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.
4) Why is setting so important for TV drama?
Setting is extremely important in TV dramas as it sets a foundation for the serial. It allows the drama to develop overtime. New characters can be introduced while old characters leave and the show won't fade out.
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 to reflect modern audiences. They make sure to represent minority groups, such as strong female characters, black people and other ethnic minorities. In recent dramas, such as Orange is the New Black, there has been a focus on gay, lesbian and transsexual characters. This is important for audience pleasure. Particularly personal identity in Blumler and Katz's Uses & Gratifications theory. An audience can identify with a particular character, therefore they will continue to watch the show.
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 that employs two or more
stories running concurrently in one episode or season. An example of a TV drama that features a multi-strand narrative is Downton Abbey.
7) What is a cold opening?
A cold opening is a teaser at the beginning of an episode that generates enigma or intrigue before the title sequence or first commercial break. This method is used to hook the audience and keep them watching.
8) How can Todorov's theory of equilibrium be applied to TV drama serials?
For drama serials, equilibrium is usually set at the very beginning of a season, we are introduced to the characters and learn a little bit about them. The disequilibrium is usually introduced at the end of a first episode or very early on in the season. Throughout the rest of the season, the audience watches as the characters try to solve their problem. Sometimes the problem will be resolved at the end of the season to form a new equilibrium or the audience may have to wait for a resolution in the following seasons.
9) What is the typical form for TV dramas and how are the programmes typically distributed to an audience?
The typical form of TV dramas is around 24 episodes per season, each episode being around 42 minutes long. These dramas rely on funding through advertising so the remainder of the one hour slot is used to showcase adverts. They are usually distributed to an audience through television.
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 and streaming service have allowed the format of TV dramas to be more relaxed. Seasons contain much less episodes (around 6-13) and they are much flexible with timing. Furthermore, the content they show can be more mature and contain challenging subjects since there is no consideration that companies will not want to sponsor them (as there is no need for adverts).
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.
SETTING - Albuquerque, New Mexico
CHARACTERS - It tells the story of Walter White (Bryan Cranston), a struggling high school chemistry teacher diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. Together with his former student Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul), White turns to a life of crime by producing and selling crystallized methamphetamine to secure his family's financial future before he dies, while navigating the dangers of the criminal world. (Wiki)
NARRATIVE - Serial format. Each episode is a continuation of the previous. Breaking Bad is also notorious for its use of flashbacks in order to communicate the full story to an audience. Also a multi-strand narrative as it focuses on the other characters' problems and stories as well.
FORM - Originally aired on AMC network for 5 seasons. It is now available to watch on Netflix.
Running time- around 50 minutes
12) How might the TV drama genre evolve in future?
TV dramas in the future may evolve to be more diverse. There will be new genres created with more complexity, ambiguous characters and challenging narratives. Furthermore, it is likely that TV drama will be watched solely on streaming services, such as Netflix and AmazonPrime, which may lead the episodes to become shorter.
Extension task: TV Drama v Film
1) What is serial television drama? Write your own definition.
A serial television drama is a TV drama that tells a narrative over a period of time and a certain number of episodes.This is different to TV series, where they run, and return, for an indefinite number of years.
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?
- Doctor Who
- The Avengers (1961-1969)
- The Sweeney (1975-1978)
- Starsky and Hutch (1975-1979)
- The A-Team (1983-1987)
Early TV dramas, such as Doctor Who, were filmed like stage plays in TV studios and used theatre actors.
ABC (creators of The Avengers) and Euston Films (creators of The Sweeney) were one of the first UK companies to film TV dramas on film and with the same high quality, aiming their products at a domestic market.
Up until the 1980s, most TV dramas followed a set structure of 'story of the week'. A guest character, along with a problem, is introduced at the beginning of an episode and this is all solved by the end of the episode. The next episode will have no reference to the previous. The cop show Starsky and Hutch and the action caper The A-Team are examples of TV shows that used this model.
In 1981, Stephen Bochco’s ground breaking US police drama Hill Street Blues completely changed this routine structure. This new format focused on character development and narratives ran across episodes or seasons, sometimes never reaching a resolution. This is pretty much the structure used in TV dramas today.
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.
- Science-fiction/fantasy - Stranger Things (2016)
- Police Procedural (crime) - Dexter (2006-2013)
- Medical - Chicago Hope (1994-2000)
- Period (costume) - Casanova (2005)
- Family - Switched at birth (2011-2017)
- Teen - 90210 (2008-2013)
Setting is extremely important in TV dramas as it sets a foundation for the serial. It allows the drama to develop overtime. New characters can be introduced while old characters leave and the show won't fade out.
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 to reflect modern audiences. They make sure to represent minority groups, such as strong female characters, black people and other ethnic minorities. In recent dramas, such as Orange is the New Black, there has been a focus on gay, lesbian and transsexual characters. This is important for audience pleasure. Particularly personal identity in Blumler and Katz's Uses & Gratifications theory. An audience can identify with a particular character, therefore they will continue to watch the show.
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 that employs two or more
stories running concurrently in one episode or season. An example of a TV drama that features a multi-strand narrative is Downton Abbey.
7) What is a cold opening?
A cold opening is a teaser at the beginning of an episode that generates enigma or intrigue before the title sequence or first commercial break. This method is used to hook the audience and keep them watching.
8) How can Todorov's theory of equilibrium be applied to TV drama serials?
For drama serials, equilibrium is usually set at the very beginning of a season, we are introduced to the characters and learn a little bit about them. The disequilibrium is usually introduced at the end of a first episode or very early on in the season. Throughout the rest of the season, the audience watches as the characters try to solve their problem. Sometimes the problem will be resolved at the end of the season to form a new equilibrium or the audience may have to wait for a resolution in the following seasons.
9) What is the typical form for TV dramas and how are the programmes typically distributed to an audience?
The typical form of TV dramas is around 24 episodes per season, each episode being around 42 minutes long. These dramas rely on funding through advertising so the remainder of the one hour slot is used to showcase adverts. They are usually distributed to an audience through television.
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 and streaming service have allowed the format of TV dramas to be more relaxed. Seasons contain much less episodes (around 6-13) and they are much flexible with timing. Furthermore, the content they show can be more mature and contain challenging subjects since there is no consideration that companies will not want to sponsor them (as there is no need for adverts).
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.
SETTING - Albuquerque, New Mexico
CHARACTERS - It tells the story of Walter White (Bryan Cranston), a struggling high school chemistry teacher diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. Together with his former student Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul), White turns to a life of crime by producing and selling crystallized methamphetamine to secure his family's financial future before he dies, while navigating the dangers of the criminal world. (Wiki)
NARRATIVE - Serial format. Each episode is a continuation of the previous. Breaking Bad is also notorious for its use of flashbacks in order to communicate the full story to an audience. Also a multi-strand narrative as it focuses on the other characters' problems and stories as well.
FORM - Originally aired on AMC network for 5 seasons. It is now available to watch on Netflix.
Running time- around 50 minutes
12) How might the TV drama genre evolve in future?
TV dramas in the future may evolve to be more diverse. There will be new genres created with more complexity, ambiguous characters and challenging narratives. Furthermore, it is likely that TV drama will be watched solely on streaming services, such as Netflix and AmazonPrime, which may lead the episodes to become shorter.
Extension task: TV Drama v Film
Building on question 12 above, read this fascinating extended article comparing TV drama to film. It will also help to bridge the gap between our work on the film industry and our new topic of TV drama. Where do you stand on the debate? Is TV drama the key medium of storytelling or will cinema always be king?
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