MS Allen: The structure of Serial and Series

Power Season 3: Episode 7 (Serial)

A serial TV programme is a number of sequenced television programmes that are usually related and are shown in seasons. Power is an American serial based around violence, drugs, sex and emotion. This show is broadcasted across the world and is proving to be a big success among different races and ethnic backgrounds. Power is a 45-60 minute serial programme that runs on about 8 or so episodes for each season.

The show usually beings with a recap of what has happened in the previous episode, highlighting the most important and dramatic sections. For example, in season 3 episode 7 we see the main character Ghost (James St Patrick) shoot his fellow college whilst his ex-wife with whom he has 2 children with, converses with a police officer about case to do with Ghost. We then see the recap end dramatically with Angela Valdez (an officer sleeping with Ghost unaware of his identity) cry with a passion after Ghost leaves her.

Following the dramatic recap, the credits begin to appear and the theme song begins. The objects shown during the theme song represents what the series is about, therefore the guns, knives, cocaine etc. represents the violence within the show. Also the dark colours resemble how the world is cold however, the contrast in light shows that in the end everything pans out to be fine.

Subsequently, the beginning of the episode is from a first person perspective, showing ghost and official Valdez lying in bed together as he reminisces over his time with her and whether the decision he made was the correct one. This first person perspective is one of the key elements that reels in the audience into feeling the similar emotions Ghost is feeling at that point. Furthermore, as well as there being a first person shot, there is also a shot from over the shoulder which also gives the audience a sense of presence within the scene.

The frequency of the show is once every week, therefore the scenes that end each episode are usually cliff hangers which has a massive effect on the audience as they are eager to know what is going to happen in the next episode.

This serial programme starts with Ghost sleeping in his bed alone, re-thinking his time with Angela Valdez. Already two of the main characters have been introduced in most dramatic way. Within power we can sense betrayal, romance, lust and violence from the dark scenery Ghost finds himself in. Moreover, this episode ends with ghost in his room again alone showing how the scene is revisited. 

Analysing the structure of EastEnders (Series)

EastEnders is an English series that is shown Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. The programme is usually shown on BBC one however, on the odd occasion it runs on BBC two depending on the circumstance. i.e.: a child awareness programme being shown at the same time. EastEnders is an ongoing series that consists of different story-lines that can drag on for as long as 4 months, these story-lines usually fade in out of each scheduled programme.

The programme starts with the traditional theme song and the map of the staged Walford. Unlike Power, EastEnders does not begin with a recap of what has happened from the day before but rather continues from the previous events. Within this ‘soap’ the camera shots are not shown to be first person shots but rather making sure that the main characters of that particular scene are included. Also, the majority of shots portrayed within the soap are full body shots. This is beneficial to the audience as it allows the facial expressions and body language to be presented, elaborating on the true emotions of that character.

Within one episode in EastEnders there can sometimes be two different story-lines occurring. In one episode there was the story line of Ben being kidnapped by his ex-partners killers and then Grant being unaware of Mark Fowler being his son. This shows that more time soap operas are more diverse than serial programmes.

Moreover, EastEnders is known for its ongoing cliff-hangers, therefore the ’douf douf douf’ at the end emphasises the cliffhanger leaving the audience in suspense for the next episode. When Ben had offered his Farther Philip Mitchell his liver, the show ended on that cliffhanger.

Within this soap, lighting is mostly generated through the various buildings in the square, however, light is also projected naturally from the sun. As a single camera production it is difficult to have lighting outdoors as it requires electricity. Therefore, the majority of scenes shot outside outside are done in daylight where as evening scenes are kept to a minimal.