1.2 Key concepts and terminology in television criticism
4 min read•august 16, 2024
Television criticism is all about breaking down shows and figuring out what makes them tick. It's like being a TV detective, looking for clues in the story, characters, and visuals to understand the bigger picture.
This section covers key terms you'll need to know, from to . It also dives into different types of shows, storytelling techniques, and the nuts and bolts of how TV is made.
Key Terms in Television Criticism
Foundational Concepts in TV Analysis
Top images from around the web for Foundational Concepts in TV Analysis
Cultural Image Translation Strategies from the Perspective of Eco-Translatology View original
Is this image relevant?
The Death of the Author by Roland Barthes | ETEC540: Text, Technologies – Community Weblog View original
Is this image relevant?
Foundational Concepts for Phrase-Level Forms – Open Music Theory View original
Is this image relevant?
Cultural Image Translation Strategies from the Perspective of Eco-Translatology View original
Is this image relevant?
The Death of the Author by Roland Barthes | ETEC540: Text, Technologies – Community Weblog View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
Top images from around the web for Foundational Concepts in TV Analysis
Cultural Image Translation Strategies from the Perspective of Eco-Translatology View original
Is this image relevant?
The Death of the Author by Roland Barthes | ETEC540: Text, Technologies – Community Weblog View original
Is this image relevant?
Foundational Concepts for Phrase-Level Forms – Open Music Theory View original
Is this image relevant?
Cultural Image Translation Strategies from the Perspective of Eco-Translatology View original
Is this image relevant?
The Death of the Author by Roland Barthes | ETEC540: Text, Technologies – Community Weblog View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
Television criticism analyzes, evaluates, and interprets TV content, encompassing artistic and cultural aspects of programming
Auteur theory examines creative vision and stylistic choices of showrunners or directors as primary authors of TV series
explores relationships between different texts or media, including references, allusions, or influences within TV shows
Mise-en-scène encompasses visual elements within a frame (set design, lighting, costumes, actor positioning) crucial for analyzing televisual aesthetics
refers to fictional world of TV show, including all elements existing within narrative universe presented on screen
Narrative and Representation in Television
describes ongoing, episodic nature of television storytelling
Includes concepts like , , and narrative continuity across episodes or seasons
Examples: Breaking Bad's multi-season character arcs, Lost's cliffhanger-driven narrative
examines portrayal of social groups, identities, and issues on screen
Considers accuracy, stereotypes, and cultural impact
Examples: Orange Is the New Black's diverse cast, Transparent's exploration of transgender experiences
Television Genres and Formats
Genre Classifications and Hybrids
Genre categorizes shows with similar themes, narrative structures, or stylistic elements (drama, comedy, reality TV, science fiction)
blend elements from multiple established genres
Create new subgenres like dramedy (drama + comedy) or sci-fi western
Examples: The Mandalorian (sci-fi western), Fleabag (dramedy)
encompasses range of subgenres
Includes competition shows, docusoaps, and social experiments
Each subgenre has distinct conventions and audience expectations
Examples: Survivor (competition), Keeping Up with the Kardashians (docusoap), Love Is Blind (social experiment)
Television Format Structures
Formats describe structural organization of TV shows
Includes , , , and
feature ongoing storylines developing across multiple episodes or seasons
Contrast with procedural dramas typically resolving plots within single episode
Examples: The Wire (serialized), Law & Order (procedural)
(situation comedies) categorized into multi-camera and single-camera formats
Each format has distinct production methods and comedic styles
Examples: The Big Bang Theory (multi-camera), The Office (US) (single-camera)
Anthology series present self-contained stories each season or episode
Often united by common theme or creative team
Allows for diverse storytelling within single show concept
Examples: American Horror Story (seasonal anthology), Black Mirror (episodic anthology)
Elements of Television Production
Visual and Audio Techniques
includes shot composition, camera movement, lighting techniques, and visual style choices
Contributes to show's aesthetic and narrative
Examples: Breaking Bad's use of wide angles and unique perspectives, Mr. Robot's unconventional framing
encompass continuity editing, montage, cross-cutting, and scene pacing
Crucial for maintaining narrative flow and viewer engagement
Examples: 24's use of split-screen editing, Sherlock's visual representation of deductive reasoning
incorporates diegetic and non-diegetic audio elements
Includes dialogue, ambient sounds, music, and sound effects
Enhances viewer's immersion and emotional response
Examples: Twin Peaks' atmospheric soundscapes, The Walking Dead's use of silence and ambient noise
Production Design and Visual Effects
creates visual world of TV show through set design, props, and location choices
Establishes atmosphere and supports narrative
Examples: Game of Thrones' elaborate set designs, Stranger Things' 1980s period details
Special effects and (VFX) create fantastical elements or enhance realism
Particularly important in science fiction and fantasy genres
Examples: The Mandalorian's use of LED wall technology, Westworld's futuristic interfaces
and color correction in post-production establish mood and maintain visual continuity