TV Drama

Lesson Outcomes

To understand what TV Dramas are As you go through the powerpoint please

answer the questions and complete activities. All resources are on the blog – hand outs and

video clips.

Why do we watch Television Drama?

What pleasures do spectators experience through watching TV drama?

Think about your own response to the drama you

watch

Cranford, BBC1

Dr Who, BBC1

Definition

Look at the list provided – which of these have you seen, which ones do you think should be

What needs to be added? Working with another group come up with

your Top Ten (you will share them with the class)

A Definition:

How would you define Television Drama A story that is presented in a serious way

and explores a range of genres, from soap opera to science-fiction to costume drama. It uses a lot of close ups and mid shot.

A piece of TV that engages with the issues of the day in an accessible fashion, i.e. through believable characters, through recognisable locations and plots Often we can identify with the stories/ events.

The Exam

Textual Analysis – Filmic Elements

Camera Shots, Angle, Movement and Composition Shots: establishing shot, master shot, close-up, mid-

shot, long shot, wide shot, two-shot, aerial shot, point of view shot, over the shoulder shot, and variations of these.

Angle: high angle, low angle, canted angle.   Movement: pan, tilt, track, dolly, crane, steadicam,

hand-held, zoom, reverse zoom. Composition: framing, rule of thirds, depth of field –

deep and shallow focus, focus pulls.

Textual Analysis – Filmic Elements

Editing Includes transition of image and sound – continuity and

non-continuity systems. Cutting: shot/reverse shot, eyeline match, graphic

match, action match, jump cut, crosscutting, parallel editing, cutaway; insert.  

Other transitions, dissolve, fade-in, fade-out, wipe, superimposition, long take, short take, slow motion, ellipsis and expansion of time, post-production, visual effects.

Textual Analysis – Filmic Elements

Sound Diegetic and non-diegetic sound;

synchronous/asynchronous sound; sound effects; sound motif, sound bridge, dialogue, voiceover, mode of address/direct address, sound mixing, sound perspective.

Soundtrack: score, incidental music, themes and stings, ambient sound.

Mise-en-Scène Production design: location, studio, set design, costume

and make-up, properties. Lighting; colour design

Gender 2016

The Bill, ITV1

Ethnicity 2015

The Bill, ITV1

Regional Identity 2014

Social Class – Summer 2013Shameless C4

Age - Winter 2013

Physical ability/ Disability – Summer 2012

Sexuality- Winter 2012

Skins, C4

What do TV Dramas have in common

Think about your Top Ten list. What do they have in common – think

about characters, narratives, sets and settings, camerawork, use of dialogue, sound and music.

Come up with ten ‘rules’ that TV Dramas have to stick to.

Do these TV Dramas follow the rules?

Doctor WhoPrimevalSpooksDo you need to modify your rules?