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Introduction to TV Drama: Blog tasks

 Serial television drama is a show which has a continuous plot that unfolds in episode-by-episode and runs/returns for an indefinite number of years.


Five dramas discussed in the history of the genre:

- Doctor Who
- The Avengers
- Danger Man
- The Sweeney
- Starksy and Hutch
- Hill Street Blues
- Dallas

The genre has evolved in various ways over the years. An example of this is the way audienced viewed media changed from viewing it in black and white into colour. There has also been a change in the set narrative structure because producers have included a resolution at the end of each episode in order to keep the plot going.

Sub-genres of TV drama: 

- Police Procedural (NCIS)
- Medical  (Holby city)
- Period (Brigerton)
- Science-fiction/fantasy (Dr. Who)
- Family (The Simpsons)
- Teen (Grand Army)

Setting is important for TV drama because it gives the audience an opportunity to engage with the episodes more because they mainly use recognisable settings with regular locations. It's also vital for communicating the sub-genre and narrative expectations to the audience.

TV Dramas typically use characters because it helps the audience to gain a sense of personal identity or personal relationship. It tends to have a large ensemble cast and the characters are often stereotypical in order to communicate a lot to the audience quickly.

A multi- strand narrative is when there is more than one story being told at the same time in an episode. An example is Orange is the new black.

A cold opening is a teaser at the beginning to hook the audience and to keep them watching.

Todorov's theory of equilibrium can be applied to TV drama serials because they always have some sort of disequilibrium (conflict) that is resolved at the end of the episode which ensures that there is no cliffhanger and the audiences get the answers they need.

The typical form for TV dramas in the UK is having to fill a one-hour or a ‘commercial hour’ (about 50 minutes), with some dramas commissioned to span a two-hour slot.

Subscription channels and streaming services have changed the form and content of TV dramas because they have included more adult and challenging content. Serial television drama is a show which has a continuous plot that unfolds in episode-by-episode and runs/returns for an indefinite number of years.

A cold opening is a teaser at the beginning to hook the audience and to keep them watching.

Todorov's theory of equilibrium can be applied to TV drama serials because they always have some sort of disequilibrium (conflict) that is resolved at the end of the episode which ensures that there is no cliffhanger and the audiences get the answers they need.

The typical form for TV dramas in the UK is having to fill a one-hour or a ‘commercial hour’ (about 50 minutes), with some dramas commissioned to span a two-hour slot.

Subscription channels and streaming services have changed the form and content of TV dramas because they have included more adult and challenging content.


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