Intro to TV Drama

1. TV Drama

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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)

5. 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.

6. The Exam

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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

10. Gender 2016
The Bill, ITV1

11. Ethnicity
2015
The Bill, ITV1

12. Regional Identity 2014

13. Social Class – Summer 2013
Shameless C4

14. Age - Winter
2013

15. Physical ability/ Disability
– Summer 2012

16. Sexuality-
Winter 2012
Skins, C4

17. 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.

18. Do these TV Dramas follow the
rules?
Doctor Who
Primeval
Spooks
Do you need to modify
your rules?