Format

What is a series production?:

A series production is a television programme that has each episode following a continuous story, such as The Good Place.

What is a serial production?:

Serial production is a series that follows a group of characters, but each episode follows a different storyline. Examples of this are Person Of Interest and Scorpion.

What is a single drama?:

Single drama is a one-off television drama.

Define genre:

The term 'genre' refers to the different categories into which a piece of media can be sorted. Different genres will have different strict genre features, for example a documentary would contain facts and statistics whereas a romantic comedy will feature relationships and humour. Genre can be applied to all types of media, including literature, television, films and music, and helps an audience to determine whether they would like the media before even starting it.

Describe - giving examples of period, dramadoc, crime, soap opera and comedy - examples of genre:

Every genre has a set of strict genre features to go alongside it, which helps to define it. A period series would feature props, settings and costumes appropriate to the time period in which it is set, as well as having relevant political context and language used. An example of a period series is Downton Abbey, which is set in the early 20th century in England. As such, all of the cast wear attire of the era and use the same idiolect as what would be spoken during the time.

A dramadoc combines fact with fiction by dramatizing the events of the past. They aim to stick to historical facts but allow them to be displayed in a creative way. These will display the fact that they're "based on true events" to tell the audience that while they follow a true story, parts of it will have been edited or exaggerated to make it more entertaining for the viewers. An example of this would be Bohemian Rhapsody, the biopic made for the English rock band 'Queen'. While it remains largely factual, it has altered the band's timeline. For example, in the film Queen's lead singer, Freddie Mercury, knows that he is dying of AIDS before the Live Aid concert. However, in reality he didn't find out that he was suffering from this condition until after the concert. The film was set up in this way in order to use Live Aid as a dramatic finale, built up to by emotive scenes in which Freddie confesses to the rest of the band that he does, in fact, have AIDS.

A crime programme mostly focuses on investigating fictional crimes that characters have committed and solving cases. They may also feature courtroom drama. Examples of this include Sherlock, Motorway Cops and Luther - all of which are British crime programmes.

Soap operas are typically set in domestic settings, such as a town (with most of the action occurring inside homes), and are usually melodramatic and appealing to the emotions. The name 'soap opera' originated from the fact that these shows would have sponsorship - and subsequently adverts - from soap or laundry detergent manufacturers. Well known soap operas include EastEnders and Coronation Street, both of which have been broadcasting for multiple decades (with EastEnders starting in 1985 and Coronation Street starting in 1960).

Lastly, comedy features lots of jokes and comedic situations, as well as running gags. For example, a running gag throughout the American comedy series 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' is the "title of your sex tape" joke that is frequently referenced throughout the show and evolves to fit the context of what's going on - such as when Jake says "name of out sex tape" to Amy after the characters have become a romantic couple.