LO1 Task 3 Genre

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3: DEFINE the conventions of each genre e.g. period; crime; soap opera; comedy, then give clear examples.

(Give up to 3 examples; do they challenge or conform to the conventions of the genre?)

Period Drama: REALIST NARRATIVE

A period or costume drama is set in a particular historical period of time. The costumes, props and locations will be accurate to the era that the narrative is set in. If a show was set in the Victorian era, then we would not see any technology (digital watches, computers, televisions or cars). The costumes would include long dresses, the props would include pocket watches and the transport would be a carriage. The dialogue would use the words and the way they used to speak back then.

Examples: Downton Abbey (ITV1), The Tudors (BBC), That 70’s Show (Fox)

SOAPS: REALIST NARRATIVE

A soap opera is sometimes called a ‘soap’, it is an ongoing serial that does not end. The endings are always ‘open’ with stories spanning several episodes. They are normally broadcast for half an hour on weekdays, some soaps are broadcasted five times a week. The narratives can range from real life topical issues or about complex relationships between family and friends. Soaps have lots of narratives, which run at different rates, some storylines start to develop and others come to a head. Most Soaps follow the lives of a group of characters who live or work in a particular place, or focus on a large extended family. The storylines follow the day-to-day activities and personal relationships of these characters.

Example: Eastenders (BBC), Coronation Street (ITV), Hollyoaks (Channel 4)

Science Fiction: ANTI REALIST NARRATIVE

This genre is set in the future and involves science and technology, space, parallel universes, time travel, aliens and paranormal abilities, such as physic powers or mind control. The characters may be aliens, cyborgs, mutants, humanoid robots or robots. The props may include ray guns or teleportation machines and other not-yet invented technology. Sci fi is set in the future, sometimes on earth or a fictional planet. The narratives may have realistic storyline (relationships) but the main story will be an anti realistic narrative. It may include flashbacks, dream sequences or a non-linear storyline. Sci fi is very imaginative.

Examples: V (Sci fi channel), Doctor Who (BBC), Deep Space Nine – part of Star Trek (Sci fi Channel)

Crime: REALIST NARRATIVE

This genre will involve a crime which is either being planned, has been committed or is about to be committed. The characters will include a villain (commits crime), a hero who solves the crime (normally a police detective or a forensic scientist), there may be a victim (someone who gets murdered, attacked, mugged) or it could be a crime against property. It normally has a car chase, action, guns and violence, however British crime programmes are more about detective work. The settings/ locations can be urban (city) or rural (the countryside).

The typical plot centers around a crime, the story usually follows those who solve the crime and the crime is usually solved, by the end of the programme. The narrative will be restricted because they want the audience to know as much as the hero and the ending will be closed. This follows the Todorov theory of: Equilibrium – everything is normal at the start; Disruption – something happens: a crime, a mystery; Recognition – people see something has happened and react to it; Reparation - attempt to repair – people try to put things right, solve the crime, catch the criminal; Resolution - everything is solved, worked out, fixed, and there is a new equilibrium

Sub genres include: Detective Fiction (whodunit), Legal Thriller, Courtroom Drama and Hard Boiled fiction.

Examples: CSI (Bravo) Inspector Morse (ITV) Midsomer Murders (ITV), Miss Marple (ITV), The Wire

 Comedy: REALIST NARRATIVE

A comedy is made to make the audience laugh. The narrative will involve a funny situation, jokes and funny characters. The narrative is unrestricted so that the audience know when things are going wrong. The main characters will have weird, funny character traits or may act in a bizarre way. The endings are always happy and are closed.

Examples: The Big Bang Theory (Channel 4), Citizen Khan (BBC1), Inbetweeners (E4)