Introduction to TV Drama: Blog tasks

Use our Media Factsheet archive on the M: drive Media Shared (M:\Resources\A Level\Media Factsheets) or on Google Drive here (you'll need your Greenford Google login) to find Media Factsheet #164 on Television Serial Drama. 

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 show with a narrative solution over a number of episodes.

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?

EastEnders, Casualty, Holby City, Doctors and Fox’s.

3) List the sub-genres of TV drama featured in the factsheet. Come up with your own example of an existing TV drama to fit each category.

Crime: Breaking Bad

Medical: House

Period: Bridgerton

Science-fiction/fantasy: Doctor Who

Family: Modern Family

Teen: Euphoria 

4) Why is setting so important for TV drama?

Having the same location rather than the same character allows the producer to develop the narrative and keep it going by adding new characters or issues.

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

The large, diverse cast that TV dramas tend to offer allow audiences to personally identify with  characters in the show which would create a loyal and larger fan base. 

6) What is a multi-strand narrative? Give an example of a TV drama that features a multi-strand narrative.

A multi-strand narrative has multiple narratives that are separate but also link together through a place or group.

7) What is a cold opening?

A teaser of the episode placed at the beginning of each episode to draw in audiences.

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

Usually, TV dramas have a mini narrative in each episode which firstly has a state of harmony (equilibrium)  then a disruption (disequilibrium) and after a resolution is found to establish a new or reverted equilibrium.

9) What is the typical form for TV dramas and how are the programmes typically distributed to an audience?

TV dramas are typically distributed through streaming services such as Netflix.

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?

Unlike in cable channels, TV dramas can be watched anytime and do not have running times as there is no watershed. 

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.

Adolescence: 
Setting: Yorkshire, England

Characters: A family with a son who has committed a crime. We watch how the families relationships and problems with this unfold.
Narrative: Over arching narrative which is linear

Form: The distributor is Netflix with 4 episodes which are around a hour long.

12) How might the TV drama genre evolve in future?

The TV genre may be targeted towards a more niche audience as mainstream audiences and Hollywood focuses on superhero, action filled films rather than the TV drama genre.