Introduction to tv drama

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

A serial drama is a TV show with a continuing plot that unfolds in a series of episodes. Serial dramas are often complex and suspenseful, and they can run for multiple seasons or the entire series. 

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?

Casualty, Holby City ABC’s The Avengers (1961-1969) and Danger

Man (1962-1968) , and Doctors.

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.

Police Procedural (crime): Criminal minds

Medical: Grey anatomy 

Period (costume):Downton Abbey.

Science-fiction/fantasy: Doctor Who,

Family: Friday Night Lights

Teen: Gossip Girl

4) Why is setting so important for TV drama?

it acts as a foundational element that can significantly influence the mood, tone, character development, and overall narrative by providing context for the story, creating atmosphere, and even acting as a character itself, allowing viewers to deeply immerse themselves in the world of the show

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

characters in serial dramas go on a journey, allowing them to change and develop – although not too much or they run the risk of outliving their function in the narrative. More often than not their presence in story of the week forces the guest characters to change and grow. This also links to the idea of personal relationships which  use  the media for emotional and other interaction and Personal Identity: finding ourselves reflected in texts or learning behavior and values from the media. Reality TV or documentary 

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

The idea of  multiple narrative points throughout the series 

7) What is a cold opening?

a scene at the beginning of a film or television episode that starts immediately with action, often before the title sequence, essentially dropping the viewer right into the middle of the story without much explanation, 

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

in the tv show their is equilibrium  at the beginning then their is disequilibrium throughout the show due to conflict  then at the end the situation is then  resloved creating a new Equilibrium 

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

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? it's allowing for more diverse and original content, and by creating new viewing habits and it allows people to Bing  watch Tv shows 

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.

Power is a crazy intense show about ambition, loyalty, and the struggle to escape your past. Set in New York City, it follows James "Ghost" St. Patrick, a guy trying to live a double life—one as a successful nightclub owner, the other as a secret drug kingpin. He wants out of the game, but his best friend Tommy, his ride-or-die wife Tasha, and his old high school love Angela, who’s now a federal prosecutor, make things way more complicated. The show juggles a multi-stranded narrative, following different characters with their own motives, which keeps everything unpredictable and full of drama. At its core, Power is about how hard it is to change when the past keeps pulling you back—and how chasing success can mean losing the people who matter most.

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

vacated by the mid- budget movie (which is much harder to turn a profit on). As Hollywood concentrates on superheroes, special effects and high octane action, many film actors are turning to television to play ‘difficult’, often morally ambiguous, characters in more complex and challenging narratives. This trend is likely to continue. However, as television - with the aid of co-production budgets - makes bigger and more international content there is a fear that the TV producers are moving away from making smaller scale content aimed primarily at domestic audiences. With BBC 3’s move to an online only platform, and the rise in the popularity of streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, the form and content of the serial drama is likely to evolve further. As audiences consume content in different ways serial dramas may become more diverse and targeted toward niche groups.

As a public service broadcaster, the BBC is also likely

to take a few more risks in creating serials outside of the tried and tested genres. However, as the landscape changes it is unlikely that the

audience’s thirst for serialized drama will diminish any time soon.