Written Report on TV Subgenres

Written report on TV Subgenres

Within the television industry there are various genres – including TV Drama. However, based on various audiences this genre can be grouped into subgenres, which have their own codes and conventions, as well as a different storytelling style to the others. A few examples are Soap Operas, Teen Dramas, Medical Dramas, Crime Dramas and Period Dramas.

Soap Operas

The Soap Opera is one of the most popular forms of Drama watched on TV, drawing in many viewers. This is because the storylines, issues and characters featured within them mimic that of real life and therefore are identifiable to viewers. Generally, conventions for this subgenre follow the activities of a community of people in a middle or working class area. The target audience for these dramas are typically women and adults, perhaps parents, who find interest in the happenings of ‘real life’ drama. However, the programmes feature many different social groups and ethnicities to attract as many viewers – plus a typical pre-watershed viewing time allows children and families to enjoy the storylines too. The narrative, therefore, is quite simple, cutting between problems between various characters each episode at a fast pace. This is easy to follow and builds tension methodically towards the end of each half hour slot. Due to similar audiences, Soap Operas all have standard – though slightly unique – visual styles, mainly using Close Up and Medium Shots to focus on character and dialogue. Mise en scene will be that of everyday communities, and there is not much creative opportunity as the target audience is not interested in this. Main examples include Eastenders, Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Neighbours.

Teen Dramas

Teen Dramas – as suggested in the title – are programmes which feature and appeal to a largely teen and young adult audience. As a result, the subgenre incorporates a different visual and narrative approach to the Soap Opera. Firstly, the storylines will centre on issues affecting youths rather than all sorts of people – focusing mainly on drugs, health, sexuality and socialising. This is easier for the target audience (male and female usually between 16 and 21) to relate to. Narrative will probably be of a faster pace as well, to reflect teenagers’ lifestyles – possibly linking to current music and technology to add interest. To synchronise with when teenagers watch TV, Teen Dramas will run after the watershed as well. Social groups incorporated are similar to Soap Operas in that a variety of religions, races and social backgrounds are featured, however the characters are mostly teenagers themselves. Visually, this subgenre will vary from standard TV cinematography as well, so that the target audience are drawn in by a more exclusive and imaginative style – despite interested in the issues in the storyline, aesthetic plays a more important role in engaging viewers here. Examples of Teen Drama include Skins, Misfits, and Being Human.

Medical Dramas

This subgenre is intended to appeal to a slightly more intelligent and sophisticated target audience. Though the viewer will be parents and adults who are at home Saturday evenings, the context of Medical Drama extends past midwifes. They are usually set in or around a Hospital or other Health Facility. Conventionally the programme is set in a modern environment and characters will be doctors, patients and other staff. Much like Soap Operas, the storylines will revolve around external plots (for example a car accident) or internal story arcs (an affair between two doctors, for instance). The narrative is slower in pace than other subgenres due to the nature of the programme – there will be a more intelligent focus on the characters rather than an endless list of scenarios to draw the viewer in. Social groups portrayed in Medical Dramas are adults and children, though of a higher class normally – the majority of characters after all are educated and in the nursing career, which links to audiences from a University background themselves. The subgenre is normally filmed in a similar way to most dramas, with standard framing and colours, though as previously mentioned the hospital setting affects mise en scene. There is a lack of exterior locations and so cinematography is generally clinical and unimaginative. Examples of this subgenre include Casualty, Holby City and The Royal.

Crime Dramas

Crime Dramas are a subgenre which is far darker in tone and more complex in narrative. Due to this, the target audience differs from the previous programmes, who were primarily interested in everyday situations and characters’ relationships. Though Crime Dramas still have this, the subject matter and conventions set Crime Dramas closer to the silver screen than Television, for example stories involving murder, a focus on a detective or police unit acting as protagonists (juxtaposed perhaps with the suspects and killer who serve as antagonists), a thriller-style narrative with more twists and tension-building, and a bleaker urban setting used to put the audience in discomfort. Based on this unique formula, the intended audience will be adults of any age, though with an interest in crime, awareness of genre conventions from the cinema and more intelligence generally. This allows for Crime Dramas to experiment with more sensitive issues such as rape and murder in a less saturated way to that of Soap Operas. The target audience will not be put off by a more confusing narrative either, or longer episode time. Social groups featured will mainly be of the extremes – either high or low class in the case of suspects, juxtaposing various people together. However, the protagonist (normally to feature in the entire series) may be of a more humble, middle-class background to reflect the lives of the viewer more. As mentioned, the programmes are usually of a darker visual style. Framing and colours will be interpreted in a Hollywood style, therefore giving the subgenre a more professional quality. Editing and cinematography may stray to the point of horror, even. Good examples include Law and Order, C.S.I, NCIS and Taggart.

Period Dramas

These programmes have a completely different set of rules to Crime or Medical Dramas, and this therefore attracts a different target audience – however they are becoming more popular with people. Period Dramas are typically set in an old-fashioned time period, usually that of the 19^th and early 20^th centuries. Due to this, the issues raised in the storylines are unusual and different to those experienced by people today, attracting viewers for entertainment or education reasons rather than to watch kitchen sink drama (in the case of fans of Soap Opera). Episodes will follow a very sophisticated and theatrical style, which though different to the film industry is definitely very evocative – longer episode length also reflects the target audience, who are mainly female women and the elderly due to an interest in history and appearing sophisticated. Characters are usually from a higher class background, and so will the setting. In terms of narrative, the stories will focus on various characters like the other subgenres, though relating to changing society – issues including women’s rights, war, aristocracy, etc. Furthermore, social groups portrayed will evidently be different to those watching the programmes - there will be a lack of diversity and the characters will be white British mainly, however various ages will feature to interest the target audience. Visually, the palette will be softer and reminiscent of artwork at the time – cinematography therefore differs also to allow the viewer to recognise this more eloquent aesthetic style. Examples recently are Downton Abbey, Mr Selfridge and Little Dorritt.