Introduction to TV Drama

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

A serial is a television show which has a continuous plot that unfolds in sequential episode-by-episode fashion. Serials are, more often than not, shows that possess narrative complexity. [1] They typically follow many story arcs that span entire television seasons, or even in some cases, the entire run of the 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, Doctor who, Doctors and The avengers

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.

Downtown Abbey. 

Game of Thrones

The Walking Dead

Homeland 

Malcolm in the middle 

4) Why is setting so important for TV drama?

The setting of a story is important because it provides the reader with context on the time, place, and environment that the story takes place in. It is also important because it improves the reader's experience and adds to the story's development with plot, mood, and characters.

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

It allows the audience to have personal relationships and identity with the characters allowing them to be more engaged with the show and be more inclined to follow the show 

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

Its a narrative structure which doesn't follow one story line. This happens normally in soap operas and long running episodic dramas such as casualty and hollyoaks 

7) What is a cold opening?

 A narrative technique used in television and films. It is the practice of jumping directly into a story at the beginning of the show before the title sequence or opening credits are shown.

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

Todorov posited that all narratives contain equilibrium disequilibrium recognition resolution and new equilibrium this relates to all tv dramas as they have a new beginning a ending and a start of a new beginning therefore the drama doesn't end. 

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

TV dramas typically have a strong narrative and characters who can relate to the audience. The programs are distributed to the audience over adverts and billboards 

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 gave the audience the power of having a choice of what to watch on the streaming service. They look at what the audience likes and add the type of dramas the audience likes and what they 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.

The last of us:

Setting:  A post-apocalyptic world

Characters: Joel and Ellie Father and daughter trying to survive the post apocalyptic-world

Narrative: The first season, based on the 2013 game, follows Joel (Pedro Pascal), a smuggler tasked with escorting the immune teenager Ellie (Bella Ramsey) across a post-apocalyptic United States.

Form: you can stream it live on the Sky-owned Now streaming service (formerly Now TV), as well as watch it on catch-up.

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

The TV drama is gonna evolve in different genres it gonna have multiple endings or soap dramas may be boring to the audience as they are always continuing and playing therefore people may get bored as the show itself hasn't ended