2. Genre
Genre 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
4. Vladimir Propp
Vladimir 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.
5. Tzvetan Todorov
Toderov’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.
7. Soap Opera
A 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
8. Crime
Crime 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
9. Medical
A 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
10. Costume
Costume 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