TV drama is defined as scripted fictional content that follows the conventions of traditional drama, excluding sitcoms and soap operas. Key concepts in analyzing TV dramas include representation, ideology, semiotics, signifiers, binary opposites, mode of address, anchoring, and conventions. Semiotics is the study of signs and symbols, including their connotations. Signifiers can be iconic, indexical, or symbolic in their relationship to what they signify.
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Tv Drama Definitions
1. TV Drama Definitions
TV Drama – A television drama is scripted content which is usually fictional which follows the
line of a traditional drama. By convention, television dramas are generally not used for
situation comedy or soap opera.
Representation – The action of speaking or acting on behalf of someone or the state of being
so represented.
Mediation / mediated –
Stereotype – A widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of
person or thing.
Hegemonic norm – The processes by which dominant culture maintains its dominant
position:
Ideology – A system of ideas and ideals.
Semiotics – The study of signs and symbols and their use or interpretation.
Connotation – An idea or feeling that a word invokes for a person in addition to its literal or
primary meaning.
Signifies – Be a symbol of; have as meaning.
Types of signifier –
· Iconic - signs where the signifier resembles the signified, e.g., a picture.
· Indexical - signs where the signifier is caused by the signified, e.g., smoke signifies fire.
· Symbolic - signs where the relation between signifier and signified is purely conventional and
culturally specific, e.g., most words.
Binary opposites – The contrast between two mutually exclusive concepts or things that
creates conflict and drives a narrative. For example, good/evil, day/night, male/female,
presence/absence, old/young
Mode of address –Proposes that media texts address its intended audience in a particular
way, establishing a relationship between the producer of the text and the media’s audience.
For example, direct mode of address using ‘you’, ‘you’re’.
Anchoring – Fixing of meaning.For example, the copy text anchors (fixes to one spot) the
meaning of an image (for instance, a single rose that could be used for an ad for anything
from a dating agency to a funeral home) in a print advertisement.
Conventions – The widely recognised way of doing something- this has to do with content,
style and form. For example, the conventions of a music video or magazine.