2. Definition of Genre
Genre is a category of artistic composition, as in music
or literature, characterized by similarities in form,
style, or subject matter.
Examples include: comedy, horror, action, romance.
3. Definition of Subgenre
A subgenre can be defined as a subcategory that can be
found within a particular/specific genre such as drama,
music or literature.
Some specific examples of subgenre that can be found
in genre include: crime, medical, costume (period) and
soap.
4. Narrative Theorists
Russian theorist, Tzvetan Todorov: suggests that all narratives follow a
three part structure. They begin with equilibrium, where everything is
balanced, progress as something comes along to disrupt that
equilibrium, and finally reach a resolution, when equilibrium is restored
this is used in the TV drama’s crime, medical and costume.
Vladimir Propp: who came up with the theory that there are only a
certain number of characters, who appear in narratives. It is easy to spot
the hero and villain in most cases. Example is the hero who leads the
narrative, is usually looking for something to solve like a mystery.
5. What is a convention?
A convention is a way in which something is usually
done, esp. within a set/surroundings of the scene in a
TV drama. These conventions are common and seen in
the specific types of TV for example; there are specific
meeting points in Soap Operas where the characters go
to interact.
6. Soap Opera
Conventions that are found in soap operas
include:
Domestic themes and personal or family relationships
occur repeatedly between the characters.
Setting – The setting of soap operas are usually set around
a small, central area where the soap opera is filmed.
Central meeting points – These are points in the soap
opera where all the characters regularly go.
Cliff hangers – These are used when a dramatic situation
happens in the soap but the end is not shown until the
next episode.
Characters – these are used to allow for the audience to
relate to the situation and the help pilot the plot.
7. • On going – Series do not have a particular start or end as they usually run
all year round.
• Scheduling – Soaps are usually scheduled for target audience and is usually
shown on specific days and specific times related to the target audience.
• Includes real life issues – things like death, birth and marriage are often
shown to make the soap as real as possible.
Examples include;
• Eastenders.
• Emmerdale.
• Coronation Street.
8. Conventions of CrimeSetting- Crime genre are set in a well known city or capital that is created to be a dangerous place this is
because there is a high crime rate there.
Characters- Two crime solvers (to discuss thoughts and feelings), criminals, victims, family and friends of
victim.
Narrative- includes a crime that needs to be solved, at the end the crime is solved and criminal is
punished, lead characters will have a back story and include there personal life in the narrative, there is
also a mystery for the audience to solve.
Camera angles- the camera normally follows the detective who is solving the crime, there is close ups and
extreme close ups when the crime is on the verge of being solved or intense moments.
Lighting- the lighting is often dark when showing the criminal.
Mise-en-scene - include guns, weapons, laboratory equipment, police cars/banners, magnifying glass and
newspapers and the criminal wears dark clothes.
Music- Monotone humming in the background to create tension towards the audience.
Examples include:
• Criminal Minds
• CSI
• Law and Order
9. How do we know Crime is a TV Drama?
Involves a crime and a criminal.
Is a program not a film.
Follows the different types of characters.
The crime is always solved by the end of the episode or
series.
10. Medical drama
A medical drama is a television drama in which events center upon a hospital, an
ambulance staff, or any medical area.
Medical/hospital dramas play on the human fascination of witnessing horrific events.
They often share narrative similarities with soaps but can also be more
informative/educational than soaps
Examples include:
Casualty
Holby city
ER
11. conventions between all medical dramas
A convention is a widely accepted device used in television dramas.
Setting – ambulance, hospital, etc.
Characters – doctors, nurses
Mise-en-scene – hospital, clothing, props and equipment
Narrative – Experience for caring for their patients and helping with
the recovery from their illness.
Technical language
12. Conventions of costume
Any costume dramas are set in earlier
times.
Costume dramas give the audience a sense
of how life in those days were different to
how life is today.
Relies heavily on mise en scene due to the
costumes, props, lighting and setting.
Plotline usually concentrates on love, family
and relationships.
13. Costume TV dramas as usually based upon/or simply includes
a distinguished historical event that occurred.
Examples include;
• Downtown Abbey.
• Gladiators.
• Spartacus.
