Creating a Programme

In groups of four we were given the task of coming up with storyline for a TV drama. Using our knowledge of past successes we decided to base it around a group of first year university students and the conflicts that they endure whilst living together. This idea was largely influenced by Hollyoaks which largely focuses on the lives of the students studying at the local university HCC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZcaAe3mbRI&feature=related

Much like Hollyoaks we wanted to have a verity of characters, this would allow for greater conflict during episodes. The first thing to decide on was the subjects that each character would be studying. Once we had chosen we begin to create the characters personalities around their subjects. This made it easier for us to create more detailed personalities. In the majority of the characters we used stereotypes, for example the fashion student was superficial and the medical student was extremely studious. This formula is one that the viewer would understand and relate to.

A diverse range of race, religion and views would also allow us to appeal to a wider range of audience so each of our characters had different religious and cultural views. As the programme would be a either a one-off two hour drama or a short series we were limited to the ideas we could use. Creating something with too detailed a storyline would be difficult to fit into such a short space of time. By creating a space where all the characters are introduced immediately saves time, as the viewer does not need to be introduced to the characters one at a time.