My Notes on Conventions of TV Drama

• Dialogue
• Actors
• Stories
• Mini Series
• Series
• Serials
• One-off Drama
• Cliffhanger ending

TV Drama is dialogue led. This is supported by use of actors and narrative. Also by the dominance of the use of particular camera techniques.

Drama can vary in lengths of episodes from 30 minutes - 2 hours.

The Drama is framed within a key location/setting which can be linked to a historical period or comtemporary setting.

TV Drama can be placed into different categories (genres) e.g. crime drama and hospital drama.

Storylines/narratives are fictional and have a vast range of themes/motifs (from crime to soap opera).

TV Drama have specific technical techniques that are used in storytelling.

Episodes may be self contained of story lines. Maybe continued over several episodes.

Audiences expectations of a TV Drama is to be entertained, informed and to have affairs dramatised.