Introduction to TV Drama

 1) What is serial television drama? Write your own definition. something to binge watch and having multi narratives that intertwine in a whole story

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?
Eastenders , holly oaks, Holby City, Doctors and Fox’s.

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.

Crime: Breaking Bad
Science-fiction/fantasy: Doctor Who
Family: Modern Family
Teen: Euphoria 

4) Why is setting so important for TV drama?
Having the same location rather than the same character gives the producer to develop the narrative and keep it going by adding new characters or issues.

5) How do TV dramas typically use character? What audience pleasures can be linked to character in TV drama? (Hint: Uses & Gratifications theory!)
The diverse cast that TV dramas tend to offer allow audiences to identify with characters in the show which would create a loyal and larger fan base. 

6) What is a multi-strand narrative? Give an example of a TV drama that features a multi-strand narrative.
A multi-strand narrative has multiple narratives that are separate but also link together through a place or group.

7) What is a cold opening?
A teaser of the episode placed at the beginning of each episode

8) How can Todorov's theory of equilibrium be applied to TV drama serials?
Todorov’s theory fits TV drama serials because each episode moves from equilibrium to disruption and then 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 typically distributed through streaming services such as Netflix.

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?
TV dramas can be watched anytime and do not have running times as there is no watershed, unlike in cable channels

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.
STRANGER THINGS:

Setting: Stranger Things is set in a small American town in the 1980s, which helps create nostalgia and a sense of realism.

Characters: The drama uses an ensemble cast, allowing multiple characters to develop across the series.

Narrative: It uses a multi-strand narrative with ongoing story arcs.

Form: The programme is episodic and serialised, designed to be watched continuously and most episodes leave on cliff hangers so audiences may ‘binge-watch’


12) How might the TV drama genre evolve in future?
The TV genre may be targeted towards a more niche audience as mainstream audiences and Hollywood focuses on superhero, action filled films rather than the TV drama genre.


A/A* 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?

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