Short essay on the Formats of Television Programmes

Various formats are used for the delivery of messages on television. The format should be selected keeping in mind the target group and the content of the message.

For example, children may find it boring to watch a documentary on ecological imbalance but they may find animation film interesting. Moreover, the preferences of the audience also should be considered while selecting the format.

The commonly used formats are:

i. Actuality

ii. Animation

iii. Demonstration

iv. Documentary

v. Drama

vi. Graphics

vii. Interview

viii. Panel show

ix. Puppets

i. Actuality:

In this type of format, the audience sees and hears people in the undertaking being discussed. The programme may be introduced by a host, but from then on, rather than interviewing people the programme cuts directly to the people involved. For example, child labourers working in a fireworks’ factory.

ii. Animation:

Here a series of still drawings or individual shots are combined to give the illusion of movement. 25 separate pictures can make one picture showing full animation per second. Making animation is time consuming and expensive also as each frame of the film has to be shot separately.

iii. Demonstration:

Demonstration of recopies, other articles or working of equipment or any other machines often form the part of television programmes. These could be studio or on the field demonstrations.

iv. Documentary:

Documentaries feature any subject of interest or give detailed information on real situations, people, news. For example, documentary on vermiculture, puppetry, environment, political situations, regional handicrafts, achievements of Indian railways or a government and so on.

According to Rayudu, “they create interest, enlightenment, or entertainment. Television documentary takes the form of a direct presentation of the substance of a problem or an experience or a situation”.(334)

v. Graphics:

Graphics means pictures. The camera moves across the series of painted pictures, which are created on a particular topic. They are divided in to several sections or ‘episodes’ to make the message explanatory.

These pictures are drawn horizontally with soft edges to fit the TV screen so that the picture fades out to the edges of the paper, rather than stopping abruptly.

vi. Drama:

Dramas have been very effective in involving the viewers in television programme since they represent the life realistically. A drama is a play which presents a true-to-life story in a dramatized form with actors playing the parts of the story’s characters.

The story develops through what the characters do and say. Dramas on television have provided a cheaper substitute for theatre plays which are beyond the reach of the middle class man.

vii. Interview:

This is face-to-face conversation between a host and the interviewee or an invitee. These are one of the most difficult programmes to do well. It could be an interview of renowned person, or outstanding personality, literary person, group and so on.

Sometimes interviews are made interesting by shots showing the interviewee engaged in whatever is being discussed.

viii. Panel Show:

These programmes have a group of experts and a moderator who introduces the experts, explains the theme, anchors the discussion and concludes. Mostly this format is used for discussion of current events or affairs where the audience is interested in learning various opinions on an issue.

ix. Puppets :

Puppet shows are used especially for children’s programmes because they add novelty. They are cheaper also as they require short period for rehearsal and much less payment to those who play puppet as compared to actors of a play. Many times, puppet is used in the role of the comparer.