Strategies of Characterization on Television

Presented By: Jessica Krivis, Jennifer Forsthoefel, Angie Abbot, Erin Giuliano

Overview of The Teen Drama- A teen drama is a television series which revolves

around teenage characters.

- This genre first appeared in the late 1980’s

- These shows are usually serial dramas, which start when the characters are well into their teenage years (usually 15 or 16 years old) and if they have a long run, end when the characters are in their twenties.

- -The genre began to gain a stronger following as characters became more relatable and plotlines became more realistic. Focusing on many of the issues plaguing adolescents throughout the country, masses of teenagers were able to find solace within the lives of these fictional characters.

Some info about My So Called Life

• My So-Called Life is a realistic mid-nineties teen drama series that takes a look at a 15 year-old girl and her trials and tribulations with being a teenager and dealing with friends, guys, parents and school.

• Each episode is 60 minutes long. The show ran for 19 episodes from August 1994 to January 1995.

• The show was not renewed due to poor ratings and reluctance on the part of Claire Danes to return despite a small, but very devoted fan base and critical acclaim.

• My So Called Life helped to develop themes which were not normally discussed within television of the time. Themes such as: Teenage alcoholism Gay Marriage/RelationshipChild abuse Drug AbuseHomophobia CensorshipHomelessness SexAdultery And many others

What is Characterization?

Characterization is studying what defines, motivates, or is unique about a particular character. (Golden 2001)

Intro Clip

Trends within characters create a certain dynamic or mold for any teenage viewer to

relate to.

These type of “stock” charcters such as The popular guy, the popular girl, the rebel, the goody goody, the nerd, the jock

are portrayed within the TV show My So-Called Life

Protagonist Angela Chase

“Rebel Friend”Rayanne Graff

“The Nerd”Brian Krakow

“The Atypical Friend”Rickie Vasquez

“The goody-goody”Sharon Cherski

“The Heart Throb”Jordan Catalano

Strategies of Characterization

Behavior: What are the character’s actions in this scene?

Appearance: What does the character look like? What is he/she wearing? Does this change at all throughout the scene?

Strategies of Characterization cont…

Dialogue: What does the character say? How does the character speak? Who is the character speaking to?

Feelings: How is this character feeling? What tone of voice is the character using? How are the character’s emotions portrayed?

Director’s/Writer’s Craft: What angles is the director using? What elements of the character does the writer/director

seem to emphasize? What strategies in film/writing does author/director use to

make you feel that way?

Strategies of Characterization cont…

• Behavior: running, drinking• Feelings: care-free, happy, playful• Director’s Craft: long shot and panning• Appearance: revealing clothing, wild hair

Feelings: Confident, sassy

Director’s Craft: close-up, contrasts with below

Dialogue: “I don’t take orders”

Feelings: vulnerable, scared

Director’s Craft: close-up, contrasts with above

Dialogue: “Quit it!”

Director’s Craft: Z-Line

Dialogue: “At Rayanne’s house no one was home”

Director’s Craft: Long Shot, Shadows, Dark, Low-Key Lighting

Follow up Assignmento Students will be using their creative writing and

technology skills to develop a pilot for our very own Teen Drama!!!

• Purpose / Goal:• Students will develop a further understanding of the concepts

associated with characterization. • Students will be able to successfully implement these skills in

the future while relating to texts and other forms of media.

• Objective:• Students will be able to successfully apply elements of

characterization into their own written work. • Students will be able to identify elements of characterization

within “My So-Called Life” and the written work of their peers.