Conventions of a TV Drama

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  • Conventions of a TV Crime Drama
    • Narrative
      • Todorov's theory of Narratology
        • The idea that all naratives share a basic structure that involves a movement from one state of equilibrium to another.
        • The idea that these two states of equilibrium are separated by a period of disequilibrium
        • The idea that if narratives are solved, they can have ideological significance
      • Vladimir Propp's theory
        • The Villain - tends to be the murderer or someone who is involved in causing the crime. However, in some, other people may be presented as the villain to throw the audience off of guessing the ending.
        • The Princess - In terms of TV Dramas, the princess is normally someone who has gone missing or needs saving from the villain in some way.
          • However, you could argue that for many there is no princess if the victim is murdered as they cannot be saved. Therefore, it it questionable.
        • The Hero - in a TV crime drama, tends to be a police officer, investigator/detective or someone looking for the victim.
        • However, for a lot of TV dramas such as Pretty Little Liars or Gossip Girl, these roles as well as others change frequently to keep the show interesting.
      • Narrative is normally split up into 4 sections.
        • It normally begins with everything being normal before a crime happens.
          • The main protagonist has a personal back story which is normally traumatic or life-changing.
            • There is a few hints throughout the series to who it can be. This creates puzzles which the audiences need to solve.
              • There are various suspects involved to keep the show interesting.
                • Finishes with crime being solved, criminal is caught and punished and the protagonists personal story has also been addressed.
    • Title
      • The title normally indicates what the TV show is about.
        • This could be indicating the specific genre of the drama i.e. police, detectives, hospital/medical.
        • It might be the name of the main protagonist or town i.e Riverdale, Marcella
    • Characters
      • Vladimir Propp's theory
        • The Villain - tends to be the murderer or someone who is involved in causing the crime. However, in some, other people may be presented as the villain to throw the audience off of guessing the ending.
        • The Princess - In terms of TV Dramas, the princess is normally someone who has gone missing or needs saving from the villain in some way.
          • However, you could argue that for many there is no princess if the victim is murdered as they cannot be saved. Therefore, it it questionable.
        • The Hero - in a TV crime drama, tends to be a police officer, investigator/detective or someone looking for the victim.
        • However, for a lot of TV dramas such as Pretty Little Liars or Gossip Girl, these roles as well as others change frequently to keep the show interesting.
      • Separated into 4 different characters.
        • Crime Solvers i.e police, detective
        • Victim i.e murder victim or missing person
        • Victim's families and friends
        • Criminals
    • Settings
      • Typically takes place in a well-known city such as London.
        • This is normally because crime rates tend to be higher in these capitals and cities in comparison to more rural areas.
          • Makes it more realistic
      • However for some TV dramas, the setting may be a rural area or countryside.
        • This tends to be because the countryside is associated with isolation and is normally very secluded. This means that when the victim or the victim's families try to get help, it's a lot more difficult.

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