TV DramaBY TAYLOR,TINA AND DEMI

GenreGenre is a way of categorizing programs together by

similar form, style or subject. The Genre we are focusing

on is TV dramas and within this the subgenres are soap

operas, Crime dramas and medical dramas

Sub-genre Sub-genres are when a specific genre is separated into

further groups

Vladimir ProppVladimir Propp is someone who analyzed basic plot

components to identify narrative elements. Vladimir Propp

broke up fairy tales into sections. His theory is shown

within soap operas as there is usually always main

characters which appear in every episode, allowing the

audience to understand the characters personality.

Tzvetan TodorovToderov’s theory…

There is an equilibrium, everything is normal, perfect and as it should be.

In the narrative there is a disruption to the equilibrium, something that goes wrong affecting the normal life.

Next is the recognition that something is affecting the normal running of life.

Next there is an attempt to repair the equilibrium. To restore everyday life.

Lastly there is a new equilibrium. This will be a slightly different way of life due to the effect the disruption but it restores things almost back to normal.

The sub genres that follow Todorovs theory are medical dramas, crime dramas and costume dramas as they all start of happy, have a problem, sort the problem out and then end happy again. Soaps do not follow Todorovs theory as they are continuous and end on a cliff hanger.

Conventions Conventions are the different ways in which TV dramas

can be linked together due to their content.

Soap OperaA soap opera is a television drama series dealing typically with daily events in the lives of the same

group of characters. A television or radio drama series dealing typically with daily events in the lives

of the same group of characters.

What you expect to find:

Point of interaction(pub)

Theme tune

Large casts

More than one storyline

Small central areas

Relate to real events such as Christmas

Market

Everyone knows each other

CrimeCrime television drama is a type of shows which focus’ on people who investigate, punish or commit crimes. There are so many crime dramas on television that are: criminal minds, CSI, Law & Order, The Sopranos and many more. Crime is a very popular sub genre of TV Drama because even though they are intense and sometimes scary the stories can be realistic but often exaggerated.

The conventions of crime TV programs:

Murder

Police force

FBI

Ambulances

SOCOS (Scene of crime officers)

Illegal weapons

Realistic stories

Police force head quarters

Group of roughly 6 cats members that are regularly on the programme

MedicalA medical drama is a television drama in which events center upon a hospital, an ambulance staff,

or any medical environment..

The conventions of Medical dramas:

Point of interaction usually a hospital

Ambulances/paramedics

Medical emergency’s

Doctors

Nurses

Blood

Operations

Accidents

Accidents due to crime

CostumeCostume TV Drama is a period piece, which includes sets, costumes and properties in order to signify a particular time frame. This is also known as period drama. Examples of costume drama are Downtown Abbey, Arabian nights, Vikings and many more.

The conventions of costume TV programs:

Meeting point (old house etc)

Elaborate costumes and sets

Part of a series

Based on historical facts

Written about the views ta the time it is set