LO1 Task 3

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Task 3- Genre

Period Drama- Downtown Abbey

Period dramas are dramas were costumes, sets, props and locations are use in order to capture the ambience of a particular era. A Prime example of this is Downtown Abbey which is set in the post- Edwardian era in Downtown Abbey which is a fictional estate in the Yorkshire County. The Drama is based around the lives of the aristocratic Crawley Family and their servants. Downtown Abbey is about the effects that great events in British history have on their lives and the British social hierarchy. The first series show the effects of the outbreak of World War 1 and the sinking of the Titanic. The second series is about the Marconi scandal and the third series about the formation of the Irish Free State and the Interwar Period.

Period/ Fantasy Drama- Merlin

Merlin is another good example of period Drama, as the costumes, props really capture the ambience of the past. It is also a wonderful example of fantasy/ adventure. It was originally based on the legend of King Arthur and the young wizard Merlin however the drama is very different to the original Legend. “Merlin” is about how Merlin’s mother sends him to live with a physician named Gaius in Camelot. During this period he meets King Arthur, and form a good relationship. He also has many adventures such as imprisoning a Dragon and practicing forbidden magic.  

Drama- Eastenders

Eastenders is what you describe as a realist TV series. The writers try to make the situations in Eastenders as realistic as possible by giving the characters completely different personalities, complex relationships, and a mixture of emotions like happiness, sadness, anger, greed, aggression, love and hatred. By making Eastenders realistic it allows audience to relate to the characters. Eastenders main location is Albert Square, London. Most of the scenes are set in different parts of Albert Square such as Queen Vic Pub, club, boxing club garage, Indian restaurant cafe and the homes of different fictional characters. There are usually 1 or 2 main stories, 1 or 2 sub stories and about 3 or 4 narratives happening in the same episode, which means there is always a lot happening and there’s always something new to keep the audience glued to the television.