Jonah Patel
A good TV drama is a delicate balance of many elements. Aristotle identified six elements to a drama: plot, characters, thought, diction, music, and spectacle. Each drama will emphasise different elements, but a good TV drama will have a compelling plot, well-developed characters, and a good build-up of tension. Characters are key, as they are the way into the story for the audience. The audience must be able to relate to the characters and feel something for them, creating an essential connection between the audience and the fiction. The characters must also embody the theme of the show, grappling with the themes of wealth, humility, or small-town life, for example. Tension is also important, as it keeps the audience asking, What will happen next?.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plot | The story should build up to a climax and then return to a new state of calm and stability. |
| Characters | The protagonists, antagonists, and supporting cast are essential to drama. Characters should be relatable, allowing the audience to feel connected to the story. |
| Tension | Suspense and anticipation are key to holding the audience's attention. |
| Language | Dialogue should reveal character personalities, feelings, and emotions. |
| Spectacle | Visual elements such as setting, stage directions, and symbols help communicate the story's theme and move the plot forward. |
| Theme | The theme should be embodied by the characters and their actions. |
| Conflict | Conflict between characters, as well as internal conflicts, are essential to the plot. |
| Sex and Violence | Sex and violence can be used to push boundaries and create suspense, especially in cable dramas. |
| Setting | Placing the story at the end of an era can add a sense of historical shift and change. |
| Mentorship | The presence of a mentor or protégé can add depth and conflict to the story. |
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What You'll Learn
Plot
A basic plot structure consists of an exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. The plot must include conflict, which can be external or internal, and the characters' decisions and actions should drive the plot forward. Building tension and creating suspense are crucial to keeping the audience engaged and anticipating what will happen next. This can be achieved through various dramatic devices such as soliloquies and asides, which reveal a character's internal thoughts and conflicts.
In a drama TV show, the plot should also allow for character development and growth. The characters should grapple with the themes of the show, and their decisions and actions should influence the plot. The plot can also be used to explore the relationships between characters and how they influence each other.
Additionally, the setting and stage directions are important elements that help move the plot forward. The setting provides the context for the characters' actions and can influence the tone and atmosphere of the show. Stage directions guide the actors' movements, speech, and interactions, ensuring the plot is conveyed effectively to the audience.
A well-crafted plot for a drama TV show should be carefully planned, with each scene and episode building towards a climax while exploring themes, character development, and conflict. By creating tension and suspense, the plot will keep the audience engaged and invested in the story, anticipating what will happen next.
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Characters
Character is a fundamental element of a good drama TV show. Aristotle identified plot and character as the two most important elements of drama, and this still holds true today. The protagonists, antagonists, and supporting cast are essential to any drama. They are the elements that the audience can connect to and relate to.
Dialogue is a crucial aspect of character development, as it helps to depict details of a character's personality, feelings, and emotions. Soliloquies and asides are often used to convey a character's thoughts to the audience. For example, in a play, an actor may use a soliloquy to reveal their thoughts when they are alone on stage. This allows the audience to understand the character's internal conflict.
Additionally, characters should be impressive or exceptional in some way. Audiences don't need to like an anti-hero, but they have to be impressed by them. For example, Don Draper in *Mad Men* is exceptional at advertising, and Walter White in *Breaking Bad* is a skilled meth cook. These characters' expertise adds to the thrill of the show.
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Tension
In a drama TV show, tension can be created through various techniques. One way is by establishing conflict between characters, which can be internal or external. For example, in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, the tension arises from the doomed relationship between the two protagonists, and the audience is left wondering, "What will happen next?". The conflict between characters can also be reflected in the dialogue and stage directions, with soliloquies and asides being used to reveal a character's internal thoughts and conflicts.
Additionally, tension can be built through the plot structure. A typical plot consists of exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. The rising action is where tension is often built, leading up to the climax or turning point of the story. This is where the tension is at its highest, and the audience is on the edge of their seats.
In a TV show, tension can also be created through the use of symbols and themes. Symbols can be characters or props that represent something else, helping to communicate a message to the audience and move the plot forward. Themes, such as wealth, humility, or small-town life, can be embodied by the characters and their actions, creating tension and giving the audience something to invest in emotionally.
Furthermore, in a prestige TV drama, tension can be heightened by placing the protagonist in a challenging environment or setting them against rivals. This creates a sense of dramatic stakes and raises the tension as the protagonist navigates this difficult situation.
Overall, tension is a crucial element in a drama TV show, and it is achieved through a combination of character conflict, plot structure, symbolism, and thematic exploration.
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Theme
In a successful TV drama, the theme is seamlessly woven into the fabric of the story. It influences the plot, character development, dialogue, and even the visual elements of the show. The theme should not be merely decorative but something that resonates with the characters and their journeys. It should feel organic and intrinsic to the story, rather than a forced or superficial addition.
When crafting the theme, it is essential to consider its relevance to the characters and their arcs. The theme should challenge, motivate, or confront the characters in some way. It might reflect their internal conflicts, external struggles, or the transformations they undergo throughout the series. This interplay between theme and character creates a compelling narrative that invites the audience to invest emotionally in the story.
Additionally, the theme of a TV drama show can serve as a vehicle for exploring societal issues or universal themes that resonate with viewers. For example, a show might tackle themes of power dynamics, moral dilemmas, identity crises, or social injustices. By weaving these themes into the narrative, the show can spark conversations, provoke thought, and provide a lens through which viewers can reflect on their own lives and the world around them.
The theme of a TV drama show is not static but can evolve as the story progresses. As the characters navigate their journeys, the theme might take on new dimensions, becoming more complex or nuanced. This evolution keeps the narrative fresh and engaging, ensuring that the audience remains invested in the story and eager to see how the theme unfolds and resolves by the end of the series.
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Spectacle
In a TV drama, spectacle can be achieved through various means, such as set design, costumes, lighting, special effects, and cinematography. For example, a show like *Game of Thrones* creates a spectacle through its grand sets, intricate costumes, and impressive battle sequences. Similarly, a show like *Breaking Bad* might use lighting and colour grading to create a visually distinct style that enhances the tone and atmosphere of the show.
In addition to visual elements, spectacle can also be created through the use of sound and music. A dramatic score or a well-placed sound effect can enhance the impact of a scene and create a powerful sensory experience for the audience.
Furthermore, spectacle can be used to highlight important themes or ideas within the drama. For example, a show might use symbolic imagery or visual motifs to represent a character's internal conflict or the underlying themes of the story.
Overall, spectacle is an essential element of a TV drama as it enhances the visual and sensory experience for the audience, captures their attention, and helps to communicate the themes and ideas of the show.
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Frequently asked questions
A good drama TV show should have a strong plot, well-developed characters, tension, language, and spectacle. The plot is what happens in the story, and it should build up to a climax and then return to a new state of calm and stability. Characters are who the show is about, and the audience should be able to relate to them and feel something for them. Tension is what keeps the audience engaged and anticipating what will happen next. Language and spectacle are also important elements that contribute to the overall impact of the show.
Characters are essential to a good drama TV show as they are the elements that the audience can connect to. They make decisions, influence the plot, and inhabit the fictional universe created by the writers and directors. Well-written characters can evoke emotions from the audience, such as love, hate, intrigue, or confusion. Additionally, characters can also embody and grapple with the themes of the show, adding depth and relevance to the story.
Tension is crucial in a good drama TV show as it holds the audience's attention and keeps them engaged. It creates a sense of anticipation and makes the audience wonder, "What will happen next?". This can be achieved through suspense, internal conflicts, or external conflicts between characters.
A good drama TV show, often referred to as a "prestige TV drama," distinguishes itself by resonating deeper with its audience. It may explore complex themes, push boundaries with its content, and build suspense over multiple episodes. These shows often feature exceptional characters, whether they are anti-heroes or protagonists, and place them in a changing world or at the end of an era. Prestige TV dramas also benefit from long-form storytelling, allowing for the exploration of generational shifts and the buildup of suspense.
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