Introduction to TV 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.
Serial television drama refers to a type of television program that tells a continuous story over multiple episodes or seasons. The story is usually divided into a series of interconnected episodes, each of which builds on the previous one to create a larger narrative arc.
Serial dramas frequently examine themes and subjects in-depth and can have intricate stories, several characters, and subplots. In order to keep viewers interested and coming back for more, they frequently use cliffhangers and other dramatic devices.
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 drama to fit each category.
Les Misérables
Brooklyn 99
New Amsterdam
The Mandalorian
Modern Family
13 reasons why
4) Why is setting so important for TV drama?
- Establishes the mood and atmosphere: The setting of a TV drama sets the tone for the story and helps to establish the mood and atmosphere.
- Enhances the storytelling: The setting of a TV drama can enhance the storytelling by providing a visual backdrop that helps to bring the story to life.
- Conveys information: The setting of a TV drama can also convey important information about the story, characters, and themes.
- Provides opportunities for visual storytelling: The setting of a TV drama can provide opportunities for visual storytelling, allowing the filmmakers to use the environment to convey meaning and emotion.
5) How do TV dramas typically use character? What audience pleasures can be linked to character in TV drama? (Hint: Uses & Gratifications theory!)
- Character development: TV dramas often spend time developing characters over the course of several episodes or even multiple seasons. This can involve exploring their backgrounds, relationships, and motivations, as well as showing how they change over time.
- Character arcs: TV dramas often use character arcs to create a sense of progression and change. This can involve showing characters overcoming obstacles, achieving goals, or experiencing personal growth.
- Character relationships: TV dramas often explore the relationships between characters, whether they are romantic, familial, or platonic. These relationships can be used to create tension, drama, and emotional resonance.
- Character conflict: TV dramas often use conflict between characters to create drama and tension. This can involve characters with opposing goals or values, or characters who are in direct opposition to one another.
Audience pleasures that can be linked to character in TV dramas include:
- Identification: Audiences often identify with characters who are relatable or who share similar experiences, which can create a sense of emotional investment and empathy.
- Emotional engagement: Well-developed characters can elicit strong emotional responses from audiences, whether it's sympathy, anger, or joy.
- Intellectual engagement: Complex characters and their relationships can provide intellectual stimulation for audiences, as they try to understand the characters' motivations and actions.
- Suspense: Characters can create suspense by being in danger or facing uncertain outcomes, which can keep audiences engaged and on the edge of their seats.
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 storytelling technique that involves weaving together multiple storylines or plot threads that are interrelated but distinct. This technique is often used in TV dramas, films, and novels, and it can create a complex and intricate story with multiple perspectives and points of view.
7) What is a cold opening?
A cold opening is a technique used in television and film where the show or movie starts with a scene that is unrelated to the main story or plot, often before the opening credits roll. The cold opening is usually used to grab the viewer's attention and create suspense or intrigue.
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?
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?
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?
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