Introduction to TV Drama

An introduction to TV Drama: Blog task

Use our Media Factsheet archive on the M: drive Media Shared (M:\Resources\A Level\Media Factsheets) to find Media Factsheet #164 on Television Serial Drama. Save it to USB or email it to yourself so you have access to the reading for homework. 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 tells a story and delivers a narrative resolution in a number of episodes 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?

- Doctor Who 
- The Avengers 1961-1969
- Danger Man 1962-1968 
- The Sweeney 1975-178
- Starksy and Hutch 1975-1979
- Hill Street Blues 1981-1987
- Dallas 1978-1991 and 2012-2014

Changes include:

- Viewing in black and white to colour 
- TV dramas are shot on film and made like a film with the same high quality production values
- changing the set narrative structure and delivering a resolution at the end of each episode to running a          story over several episodes before offering any closure 
- focusing on an ensemble cast rather than just one protagonist 
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 - Columbo, Criminal Minds, Hawaii Five-O
Medical - Scrubs, Chicago Med, Grey's Anatomy
Period - The Crown, Reign, Murdoch Mysteries 
Science-fiction/fantasy - Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Teen Wolf, Heroes 
Family - The Simpsons, Modern Family, Full House
Teen - The Vampire Diaries, Teen Wolf, Sabrina the Teenage Witch 

4) Why is setting so important for TV drama?

Setting is important because it helps the audiences identify the locations and suggests familiarity. It allows the drama to develop over a period of time 
5) How do TV dramas typically use character? What audience pleasures can be linked to character in TV drama? (Hint: Uses & Gratifications theory!)

 In order for shows to be successful they usually have a large cast of characters similar to soap operas. Serial dramas often have archetypal characters so that the genre is easily identifiable. In order to reflect modern audiences, there is a greater presence of strong females, black and ethnic minority characters. Also, gay, lesbian and transsexual characters are represented in serials such as in Orange is the New Black. Characters go on a journey where they can change and develop, this links to Blumler and Katz's theory where audiences have a personal relationship with the characters and join them on the journey.

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

Multi-strand narrative is when there is more than one story being told at the same time in an episode. This is common in Medical dramas such as Casualty. 
7) What is a cold opening?

A cold opening is when producers releases a teaser at the beginning of the episode in order to 'hook' the audience and keep them watching. The cold opening generates enigma or intrigue before the title sequence.
8) How can Todorov's theory of equilibrium be applied to TV drama serials?

TV dramas usually follow Todorov's theory of equilibrium and often return to the equilibrium at the end of the episode. Most police procedural provide a narrative resolution and reassurance to fulfil the audiences need for answers.
9) What is the typical form for TV dramas and how are the programmes typically distributed to an audience?

A lot of US commercial networks such as ABC, CBS and NBC schedule most drama serials in blocks of twenty-four one hour episodes. In order to attract advertisers, the content is more conservative and follows mainstream ideologies, excessive swearing and violence is rarely seen. The running time of a network drama is 42 minutes long which allows enough time for commercial breaks that can weather frequent interruption. 
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?

Subscription channels allow a lot more adult and challenging content. Some advertisers would not want to be associated with products of such content. Netflix and Amazon Prime commission shorter run between 6 and 13 episodes and do not stick to rigid running times. 
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.

Quantico 2015-present

Setting - filmed in Atlanta, New York, downtown Montreal and Sherbrooke. The Quantico academy exteriors were filmed on the University of Sherbrooke campus.

Characters - follows the professional and personal lives of FBI officers. 

Narrative - Can be seen to have a flexible narrative as the stories can be told in the past,present or future.

Form - Distributor is ABC; running time of 43 minutes

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

Many film actors are turning to television to play difficult characters in more complex and challenging narratives. This is likely to continue however, as television makes bigger and international content there is a fear that TV producers will move way from making smaller scale content aimed a domestic audiences. With the rise of online platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, the form and content of serial dramas is likely to evolve in the future. As audiences consume the content in different ways, serial dramas may become more diverse and targeted towards niche groups. Online programmes are now producing short form content leading to drama serials that run for less than 60 mins or even 30 minutes. Corporations such as BBC are under pressure to create shows that are more distinctive and different to what commercial channels offer. This has suggested that the BBC may be forced to produce shorter runs of dramas and make less crime shows. BBC are also likely to take some risks and create new serials outside of tried and tested genres. 


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