📝TV Writing Unit 1 – Television genres and formats

What's This Unit About?

• Explores the various genres and formats that exist in television programming
• Examines how different genres have evolved over time and shaped the television landscape
• Analyzes the key characteristics, conventions, and expectations associated with each genre
• Discusses the impact of audience preferences and market trends on the development of new genres and formats
• Provides insights into the creative process of writing for different television genres and formats
• Highlights the importance of understanding genre conventions when creating compelling television content
• Investigates the emergence of genre-blending and hybrid formats in contemporary television
• Explores the future of television genres and formats in the context of changing industry trends and technological advancements

Key Genres in TV

• Drama: Focuses on serious, often emotionally charged stories and character development (Breaking Bad, The Crown)
• Comedy: Aims to entertain and amuse viewers through humorous situations, dialogue, and characters (Friends, The Office)
  • Sitcoms: Situation comedies that typically revolve around a fixed set of characters and locations (The Big Bang Theory)
  • Sketch comedy: Features a series of short, often unrelated comedic sketches performed by a cast (Saturday Night Live)
• Action and Adventure: Emphasizes thrilling plotlines, physical challenges, and high-stakes conflicts (24, The Mandalorian)
• Science Fiction and Fantasy: Explores imaginative worlds, futuristic technologies, and supernatural elements (Stranger Things, Game of Thrones)
• Crime and Mystery: Revolves around the investigation of crimes, often featuring detectives or law enforcement professionals (True Detective, Sherlock)
• Reality TV: Showcases unscripted, real-life situations and people, often in a competitive or observational format (Survivor, Keeping Up with the Kardashians)
• Documentary: Presents factual information and real events, often exploring social, cultural, or historical topics (Planet Earth, Making a Murderer)

TV Format Basics

• Episodic: Each episode tells a self-contained story, with limited continuity between episodes (Law & Order, Black Mirror)
• Serialized: Episodes build upon an ongoing narrative, with story arcs and character development spanning multiple episodes or seasons (Lost, The Wire)
  • Heavily serialized shows often require viewers to watch episodes in order to fully understand the plot and character arcs
• Limited Series: A self-contained story told over a predetermined number of episodes, usually one season (Chernobyl, Watchmen)
• Anthology Series: Each season or episode features a different story and set of characters, often connected by a central theme (American Horror Story, Fargo)
• Procedural: Focuses on a specific profession or process, with each episode revolving around a new case or problem to be solved (CSI, House)
• Multi-camera: Filmed using multiple cameras simultaneously, often in front of a live studio audience (The Big Bang Theory, Will & Grace)
• Single-camera: Filmed using a single camera, allowing for more cinematic techniques and flexible storytelling (The Office, Modern Family)

Evolution of TV Formats

• Early television primarily featured live broadcasts and anthology series, with limited serialization (The Twilight Zone, Alfred Hitchcock Presents)
• The rise of the sitcom format in the 1950s and 1960s introduced recurring characters and episodic storytelling (I Love Lucy, The Dick Van Dyke Show)
• Serialized dramas gained prominence in the 1980s and 1990s, with shows like Hill Street Blues and ER paving the way for complex, ongoing narratives
• The advent of cable television and streaming platforms in the late 1990s and early 2000s allowed for more creative freedom and niche programming (The Sopranos, Breaking Bad)
  • Cable networks and streaming platforms are not bound by the same content restrictions as broadcast networks, enabling more diverse and edgy content
• Limited series and anthology formats have become increasingly popular in recent years, offering self-contained stories and attracting high-profile talent (True Detective, American Crime Story)
• Interactive and choose-your-own-adventure formats have emerged, blurring the lines between television and gaming (Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, You vs. Wild)

Writing for Different Genres

• Understanding the conventions, tropes, and expectations of each genre is crucial when writing for television
• Drama writers must create complex characters, develop compelling story arcs, and balance emotional resonance with plot progression
• Comedy writers need to craft jokes, set up punchlines, and create humorous situations that align with the show's tone and style
  • Sitcom writers often rely on character-driven humor and recurring gags, while sketch comedy writers focus on self-contained, fast-paced sketches
• Action and adventure writers must create thrilling set pieces, high-stakes conflicts, and engaging action sequences
• Science fiction and fantasy writers need to develop coherent and immersive worlds, balancing imaginative elements with relatable characters and themes
• Crime and mystery writers must create intricate plotlines, plant clues, and keep audiences engaged through suspense and revelation
• Reality TV writers focus on crafting storylines, challenges, and character dynamics that create drama and entertainment value
• Documentary writers must conduct extensive research, structure narratives, and present information in an engaging and informative manner

Audience and Genre Expectations

• Different genres attract specific target audiences with varying demographics, interests, and viewing habits
• Audiences approach each genre with certain expectations regarding tone, pacing, character types, and storylines
  • For example, viewers expect sitcoms to have a lighthearted tone, multiple jokes per scene, and a resolution at the end of each episode
• Meeting audience expectations while subverting them in creative ways can lead to more engaging and memorable content
• Understanding the target audience's preferences and viewing behaviors can inform writing decisions and help tailor content to their interests
• Audiences' tastes and expectations evolve, influenced by societal trends, cultural shifts, and the emergence of new genres and formats
• Balancing familiarity and innovation within a genre can help attract and retain viewers

Genre-Blending and Hybrid Formats

• Genre-blending combines elements from multiple genres to create unique and fresh storytelling experiences (Stranger Things: sci-fi, horror, and coming-of-age drama)
• Hybrid formats merge traditional television structures with elements from other mediums, such as documentaries, animation, or interactive content (The Mandalorian: live-action and animated elements)
• Genre-blending and hybrid formats allow writers to explore new creative possibilities and attract diverse audiences
• Successful genre-blending requires a deep understanding of the conventions and expectations of each genre being combined
• Hybrid formats can leverage the strengths of different mediums to create immersive and engaging viewing experiences
• The rise of streaming platforms has facilitated the growth of genre-blending and hybrid formats, as these platforms are more open to experimentation and niche content

Industry Trends and Future of TV Genres

• The proliferation of streaming platforms has led to an increased demand for original content and niche programming
• Binge-watching culture has influenced the way writers structure stories, with more emphasis on serialized narratives and cliffhangers
• Interactive and immersive technologies, such as virtual reality and augmented reality, may shape the future of television storytelling
• The globalization of the television industry has led to a rise in international co-productions and cross-cultural storytelling
  • Writers must consider cultural differences and global appeal when creating content for an international audience
• Personalization and algorithmic recommendations are shaping viewers' content choices, potentially leading to more targeted and specialized genres
• The increasing importance of social media and online fan communities has impacted the way writers engage with audiences and incorporate feedback
• As technology and audience preferences continue to evolve, writers must adapt and innovate to create compelling content within existing and emerging genres and formats