1. Introduction to TV Drama
G322 Exam – Section A

2. Learning Outcomes ALL will be able to define ‘TV Drama’.
MOST will be able to identify sub-genres of television drama.
SOME will begin to analyse representation in TV Drama.

3. Brainstorm
As many TV dramas as you can think of.

4. Brainstorm As many TV dramas as you can think of.
Put them into groups and label them appropriately.

5. G322 Exam: Section A
The exam is 2 hours (including 30 mins for viewing and making notes on the clip).
Candidates are required to answer two compulsory questions - each question is marked out of 50.
There are two sections to this paper:
Section A: TV Drama Textual Analysis and Representation (50 marks)
Section B: Institutions and Audiences (50 marks).

6. SECTION A: TV Drama Textual Analysis and Representation
You will watch an ‘unseen’ TV extract from a TV drama (a one- off drama series or serial drama programme scheduled on British TV, including some sourced from other countries).
You will answer one compulsory question analysing media language. Candidates will be asked to link this analysis with a discussion of some aspect of representation within the sequence:
Camera Angle, Shot, Movement and Composition
Mise-en-Scène
Editing
Sound

7. What is TV Drama?
Write a definition.

8. What is TV Drama? Write a definition.
A genre of scripted, fictional television that is presented in a dramatic way and explores a range of topics.

9. Sub-Genre A sub-genre is a subdivision of a major genre.
TV Drama is a MAJOR genre. What are some of its sub-genres?

10. Sub-Genres Teen drama Period drama Crime drama Soap opera
Medical drama
Sci-Fi drama
For each of these sub-genres, try to think of 3 examples, and 5 generic conventions.

11. TV Listings Terrestrial TV = BBC1, BBC2, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5.
Digital TV = All other channels.
Look through this week’s TV listings. Highlight any programmes that you think are TV Dramas. Work with the person next to you if you are unsure.