Storytelling for Film and Television

📖Storytelling for Film and Television Unit 10 – Series Structure & Long-Form Narratives

Series structure and long-form narratives are essential elements in television storytelling. This unit explores techniques for crafting compelling stories that span multiple episodes or seasons, examining how to develop engaging character arcs and maintain audience interest over time. The unit delves into key concepts like episodic structure, serialized storytelling, and the use of A-plots and B-plots. It also covers practical aspects of series development, including creating a series bible, mapping out season arcs, and employing effective plotting techniques to keep viewers hooked.

What's This Unit All About?

  • Explores the unique storytelling techniques used in television series and long-form narratives
  • Focuses on how to structure and develop compelling stories that span multiple episodes or seasons
  • Examines the challenges and opportunities presented by the episodic format
  • Discusses the importance of creating overarching storylines and character arcs that maintain audience engagement over time
  • Provides insights into the creative process behind successful TV series (Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones)
  • Emphasizes the need for careful planning and collaboration among writers, producers, and other creative team members
  • Highlights the role of cliffhangers, plot twists, and other narrative devices in keeping viewers hooked

Key Concepts in Series Structure

  • Episodic structure: self-contained stories within each episode that contribute to larger narrative arcs
  • Serialized storytelling: ongoing storylines that develop over multiple episodes or seasons
  • A-plot and B-plot: primary and secondary storylines within an episode that often intersect or parallel each other
    • A-plot typically focuses on the main characters and central conflict
    • B-plot explores subplots or supporting characters' storylines
  • Mythology: overarching narrative elements, backstories, and mysteries that span the entire series (Lost)
  • Act breaks: key moments or cliffhangers that divide an episode into distinct sections, often coinciding with commercial breaks
  • Season arcs: larger storylines that unfold over the course of a single season, building towards a climactic finale
  • Series bible: a comprehensive document that outlines the characters, settings, themes, and overall vision for a TV series

Developing Long-Form Narratives

  • Establishing a compelling premise and central conflict that can sustain multiple episodes or seasons
  • Creating a rich, immersive world with well-defined rules, history, and culture (Westworld)
  • Developing multi-dimensional characters with clear goals, motivations, and flaws
    • Ensuring characters have room for growth and development over time
  • Mapping out key story beats and plot points across the entire series
  • Balancing episodic and serialized elements to create a satisfying viewing experience
    • Providing a sense of resolution within each episode while advancing larger storylines
  • Planting seeds for future plot developments and revelations
  • Incorporating themes and motifs that resonate throughout the series

Character Arcs Across Multiple Episodes

  • Crafting long-term character arcs that showcase growth, change, and development over time
  • Establishing characters' starting points, goals, and obstacles at the beginning of the series
  • Creating pivotal moments or turning points that shift characters' trajectories (Walter White's transformation in Breaking Bad)
  • Developing complex relationships and dynamics between characters that evolve throughout the series
    • Exploring how characters' actions and decisions impact one another
  • Revealing characters' backstories and motivations gradually, adding depth and nuance to their personalities
  • Incorporating character-specific subplots that contribute to their overall development
  • Building towards satisfying payoffs or resolutions for characters' arcs by the end of the series

Plotting Techniques for TV Series

  • Utilizing the four-act structure within each episode (teaser, two main acts, and tag)
  • Employing cliffhangers and plot twists to create suspense and anticipation between episodes
  • Developing multiple, interconnected storylines that converge or diverge throughout the series
  • Using flashbacks, flash-forwards, or non-linear storytelling to reveal key information or create mystery (Westworld, This Is Us)
  • Incorporating standalone episodes that deviate from the main storyline but provide character insights or world-building
  • Creating narrative parallels or contrasts between different characters or storylines
  • Building towards major turning points or game-changing events that alter the course of the series (Red Wedding in Game of Thrones)

Maintaining Audience Engagement

  • Crafting compelling hooks and teasers that entice viewers to keep watching
  • Balancing the release of information and revelations to maintain a sense of mystery and intrigue
  • Creating emotional connections between the audience and characters through relatable struggles and triumphs
  • Incorporating unexpected twists or subversions of audience expectations to keep viewers on their toes
  • Developing ongoing conflicts and obstacles that challenge characters and drive the narrative forward
  • Utilizing cliffhangers and plot twists judiciously to avoid frustrating or alienating viewers
    • Ensuring payoffs are satisfying and justify the buildup
  • Maintaining consistency in character development, world-building, and tone across episodes and seasons

Industry Insights and Examples

  • Examining the success of groundbreaking series that have redefined the television landscape (The Sopranos, The Wire)
  • Analyzing the storytelling techniques employed by critically acclaimed shows across various genres (Mad Men, Stranger Things, The Crown)
  • Discussing the impact of streaming platforms on the development and consumption of long-form narratives (Netflix, Amazon Prime)
  • Exploring the role of showrunners in guiding the creative vision and maintaining consistency throughout a series
  • Studying the adaptation process for series based on existing source material (novels, comics, etc.)
  • Investigating the challenges and opportunities presented by anthology series or limited series formats (True Detective, American Horror Story)
  • Considering the influence of audience feedback and fan theories on the development of ongoing series

Practical Applications

  • Developing a series bible that outlines the key elements of your long-form narrative
    • Including character profiles, world-building details, and overarching storylines
  • Creating a season-long outline that maps out the major plot points and character arcs
  • Writing episodic outlines that break down the specific beats and scenes within each episode
  • Crafting compelling loglines and pitches that effectively communicate the premise and hook of your series
  • Collaborating with a writers' room to generate ideas, troubleshoot problems, and maintain consistency across episodes
  • Revising and refining scripts based on feedback from producers, directors, and actors
  • Adapting your storytelling approach based on budget, production constraints, or network notes


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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.
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