tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17679499.post7374954954970694515..comments2024-03-23T01:38:00.651+00:00Comments on Vicious Imagery: So what is a precinct drama, precisely?DAVID BISHOPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17342376036664282348noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17679499.post-43844653312108405962012-07-02T14:19:21.308+01:002012-07-02T14:19:21.308+01:00I googled to find what precinct drama was, and fou...I googled to find what precinct drama was, and found you.It's a locale story where writers and cast can be slotted rotated or rested.I always thought it mean't an opne aired retail area without cars.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17679499.post-83858219120747916652008-09-12T18:04:00.000+01:002008-09-12T18:04:00.000+01:00precinct drama means the marketing and budget are ...precinct drama means the marketing and budget are the primary consideration. Think sit-com with less laughs.English Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04686490554533309973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17679499.post-24666598910110277582008-09-12T14:50:00.000+01:002008-09-12T14:50:00.000+01:00Exactly, Michelle.I think the whole term in itself...Exactly, Michelle.<BR/><BR/>I think the whole term in itself is misleading. Better to stick to the nice, safe term "drama series" and indicate that the arena plays a big part and characters can be replaced at will in the pitch doc - but not too much, because what happens if people fall in love with your character?? Might seem laughable but ratings plummeted when Bobby Ewing was killed off in Dallas and the demise of ER started with George Clooney leaving and was completely pasted by Noah Wyle giving up on it too.Lucy Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15576008511353143019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17679499.post-88585508096675407182008-09-12T13:21:00.000+01:002008-09-12T13:21:00.000+01:00So then would you also call soaps like Eastenders ...So then would you also call soaps like Eastenders or Coronation Street precinct dramas?Preston Garretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07035475169399619205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17679499.post-67743249640309048112008-09-12T12:30:00.000+01:002008-09-12T12:30:00.000+01:00I think the specific point of difference about wha...I think the specific point of difference about what's become known as "precinct drama" is that the situation is bigger than the characters - its an ensemble show where any or all of the ensemble can depart, but the show can continue. <BR/><BR/>So, Life On Mars is a cop show, but not a precinct drama, because you can't just replace the character of Sam Tyler with another generic detective.<BR/><BR/>Whereas Waterloo Road is a precinct drama but not a cop show, because any or all of the characters could be replaced and it would still be recognisably the same show.Michael Cookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06170302599006273553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17679499.post-28700500627708925362008-09-12T10:40:00.000+01:002008-09-12T10:40:00.000+01:00I've always taken it as industry talk for a show w...I've always taken it as industry talk for a show with a large cast including multiple potential leads based around a single main location, ie. one you can turn out in large numbers quite efficiently.<BR/><BR/>I think the label is used much more widely than just for cops and medics.<BR/>North Square (lawyers) and Teachers (well guess) on Channel 4 were both considered Precinct Dramas (and Spooks was originally pitched as a Precinct Drama for the Teachers slot). For me Shameless has become a Precinct Drama since the episode run increased, the cast grew and the focus shifted from the Gallaghers to the wider Chatsworth community, though I confess I've not heard it described so by industry people, whereas with the others I have.IZPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06195339591797829458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17679499.post-66081815753664595322008-09-12T07:56:00.000+01:002008-09-12T07:56:00.000+01:00The thing that leaps out to me when I hear "precin...The thing that leaps out to me when I hear "precinct drama" is the notion that it revolves around coppers and police duties. Why? Because American cops apparently call their place of work "the precinct" according to various US drama series and movies I've seen. This is despite actually knowing that the word "precinct" is not police-specific. But I would avoid it if I were you, since I feel sure many others would feel the same way considering the popularity of American police drama series.Lucy Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15576008511353143019noreply@blogger.com