TV DramaEmma, Genit and Josh

Genre• Genres are the categories that different productions are

divided into. Within the media, there are lots of different characteristics – known as conventions – that divide each production into a different category, or ‘genre’.

• An example of a genre is “Drama”• The definitions of a lot of genres are so broad that to properly

define some productions, a category of ‘sub-genres’ have been made to further categorise tem.

• An example of a sub-genre is “Crime Drama”.

Todorov:Equilibrium and DisequilibriumTodorov theorised that almost every story follows a basic plotline:1. Peace and Balance (Equilibrium)2. A major disruptive event occurs (Disequilibrium)3. Recognition of the problem and how to fix it4. The problem is fixed, and everything returns back to normal,

though there may be a few differences (Equilibrium)

Propp:Character Paradigms

Propp believed that in most stories, the characters and their roles are quite similar and unchanged, with a set of characters performing the following roles:• Hero• The protagonist of the story, this person is the one who manages to restore

balance, and potentially save the heroine.• Heroine• Usually very important to the hero, the heroine is endangered in the story by the

villain. At the end, they are saved, and become closer to the hero as a result.• Villain• The antagonist of the story, this person is opposed to the hero, and is usually

defeated at the end, their plans foiled.• Wiseman / Helper• This person usually helps the hero achieve his goal with either vital advice,

information or objects to help them emerge victorious.• The Wizard / Mentor• In the story, this character is usually the one who sends the hero on his way,

giving small amounts of help, and possibly a reward at the end of the story.

Crime DramaConventions• Typically, the main conventions of a crime drama are a very plain, “Good

Guys vs. Bad Guys/ Cops vs. Criminals” storyline. • There does not need to be the same criminal(s) each episode, but in order

to further emphasise the aforementioned convention, the policemen tend to stay the same regardless.

• A lot of the locations in a crime drama tend to be within rooms within police stations, and the general area is usually in the middle of a city.

Medical DramaConventions• Medical Dramas are centered around medical staff, or a hospital etc.

As such, almost every aspect of the show is set on hospital grounds, if not all.

• In these dramas, it is quite common to highlight relationships between medical staff, as well as display a brief insight into their work.

• Shows a very positive and idealistic view of a hospital.

Soap OperaConventions• A soap opera, or ‘soap’ is defined by a group of recurring characters, each

with their own storyline, all of which interweave with each other. • The highlight of a soap opera tends to be on the emotional relationships the

characters share. Generally, these are long term daytime TV programs, spanning years, even decades, with no particular conclusion to aim for, as is seen with EastEnders.

• Point of interaction.

Costume DramaConventions• Costume drama, also known as period drama is any drama which involves

the actors putting on costumes in order to properly represent the people from the era the story is set in, as well as create an ambiance to further engross the audience into the story.

• Mise-en-scène is a prevalent factor, and is based around that period.• Stereotypes, from speech patterns to lifestyles.