introduction to tv drama

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

serial television drama is a story which is delivered in numbers of parts 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?

ABC’s The Avengers
 Danger Man
 being notable
 creators
The Sweeney
 Minder

The genre evolved during 1990's as they start shooting television the same way as films.

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.

Crime-power
medical-brain on fire
period-the crown
science fiction-lost in space
family-easterners
teen-13 reasons why

4) Why is setting so important for TV drama?

setting is important in TV dramas as settings make us feel that the characters are real as they are in the atmosphere which they are meant to be stereotypical.

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 typically use characters to show the modern day society and show the genre that the character is connected 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 having many characters which means the story can never end  like eastenders

7) What is a cold opening?

a cold opening is showing the setting before the titles.

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

todrov's theory of equilibrium can be applied to tv drama serials as in a tv serial there are many characters so they make one person have more authority than another to make the drama series interesting to watch.



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


The typical form for TV dramas are that they all use stereotypes  and have recognisable settings which helps them to communicate with the 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?

The subscription channels have changed the content of TV dramas because it has allowed the audience to choose what type of genre or episodes they want to watch.

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.

13 reasons why
setting-a high school in america
characters-many students who are friends with each other and have something to do with the murder of Hannah baker
narrative/form-multi strand narrative as many there are many characters with their own story.

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

They might evolve in the future by making public broadcasting like bbc to be online to  give competition to Netflix and amazon prime.

 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?