This document discusses genres and subgenres of TV dramas. It examines the theories of Vladimir Propp and Tzvetan Todorov and how they relate to different subgenres. Soap operas, crime dramas, medical dramas, and costume dramas are explored as subgenres. Their typical conventions such as settings, characters, and plot structures are outlined. Vladimir Propp's analysis of narrative elements is shown to influence soap opera structure. Todorov's theory of narrative equilibrium is linked to how medical dramas, crime dramas and costume dramas follow a pattern of normal life disrupted, problem, and restored equilibrium.

1. TV Drama
BY TAYLOR,TINAAND DEMI

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

3. Sub-genre
 Sub-genres are when a specific genre is separated into
further groups

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.

6. Conventions
Conventions are the different ways in which TV dramas
can be linked together due to their content.

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