Use our Media Factsheet archive on the M: drive Media Shared (M:\Resources\A Level\Media Factsheets) or on Google Drive here (you'll need your Greenford Google login) to find Media Factsheet #164 on Television Serial 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 definition.
Serial television drama is when the plot carries on through each episode and is developed.
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?
Doctor Who
The Avengers
Starsky & Hutch
Hill Street Blues
Dallas
3) List the sub-genres of TV drama featured in the factsheet. Come up with your example of an existing TV drama to fit each category.
Crime drama - Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Medical - Scrubs
Periodic - Downtown Abbey
Science-fiction/fantasy - Fallout
Family - Modern Family
Teen - Pretty Little Liars
4) Why is setting so important for TV drama?
The setting is so important for TV drama as it helps to create a backdrop for the story and creates immersion which helps the audience believe that this could be real.
5) How do TV dramas typically use characters? What audience pleasures can be linked to characters in TV drama? (Hint: Uses & Gratifications theory!)
TV Dramas usually make the characters as relatable as they can so that people can see themselves in the character and will have a stronger connection to the show and the characters. This links to the Uses & Gratifications theory specifically to personal identity.
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 when there is more than one storyline in the episode . One example of a multi-strand narrative is pulp fiction and another example is Eastenders.
7) What is a cold opening?
A cold opening is when in the beginning of the episode you are brought straight into the action without any introduction or context.
8) How can Todorov's theory of equilibrium be applied to TV drama serials?
The narrative could start with equilibrium then a problem may occur which would be its disequilibrium. Usually the problem will be solved by the end of the episode or in the next few episodes which will lead to a new equilibrium.
9) What is the typical form for TV dramas and how are the programmes typically distributed to an audience?
TV dramas are usually set up in a seasons and episodes format. Typically a season will have in the ballpark of 20 or few more episodes. They are usually distributed through streaming services like netflix or amazon prime video nowadays as people love to binge watch shows so that they can get as much of the story at one time as they can.
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?
They have given local shows and smaller studios a greater audience base as netflix and amazon prime are available in almost any country. For example, the squid game was popular in asian countries however it hit mainstream as it was put onto netflix and people from around the word could watch it. Subscription channels have also changed how regulated TV & Films were as they aren't as regulated as before they allow for more adult content.
11) Choose a TV drama and do your analysis of it using the SETTING / CHARACTERS / NARRATIVE / FORM headings as featured on page 3 of the factsheet.
SETTING
It is set in a office - usually where business and law firms have their team placed
CHARACTERS
Harvey Spectre, Jessica Pearson, Mike Ross
NARRATIVE
Episodic narrative along side a on going narrative arch
FORM
Seasons and episodes
Distributor
NBCUniversal Global TV
Running Time
73 minutes - Pilot Episode
12) How might the TV drama genre evolve in future?
Content consumption patterns are changing and this shows that the current generation of audiences have a variety of different preferences and interests in entertainment. This has allowed serial dramas to become more focused on one topic, catering to specific niche audiences. This led to a variety of shows and new concepts or genres.
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