Film Vs. TV Writing: Understanding the Differences

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Video Written and Recorded by Jason Singarayer and Ricky Ackerley
You may have heard that we are in the “golden age of television.” In 2021 alone, there were 559 scripted television shows that were made (Data). With some of the greatest and most creative writing done on television, One may question which to write, a feature, or a television pilot?
In this video, we’re NOT going to be talking about procedural TV shows like Law and Order because of the contained nature of each episode. We’re going to be talking about TV series that arc over the course of multiple episodes or seasons. The nature of both of these stories are similar to features but they are executed differently.
THE GOAL: Take in all user feedback to write the story as close to your vision as possible.

[@TylerMowery]

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[@sacha7958]

I love your enthusiasm. Maybe it’d be nice for longtime subscribers if you guys did an update video telling us what team is currently making the videos and what’s in store for the future of the channel.

[@petercarmack4867]

Stay tuned for Feb 10th.

[@zacka161]

@@petercarmack4867 hmmmmmmm

[@lilmilontiktok]

Bro is gonna copy your idea like he copied mine

[@poppatoe]

"Some of the most greatest.." Awesome. Loved your commercial.

[@BEEYESTUBE]

Hmm Tyler looks different. Forgot sunscreen i guess 😂

[@TylerMowery]

It's that LA sun

[@petercarmack4867]

You killed it Jason and Ricky!!

[@fogartyfox592]

Could you guys do more videos about TV shows, past the pilot and perhaps how and why you would create a second season.

[@HenrikHaugberg]

I would say that the first act of The Dark Knight does not focus on Batman trying to capture The Joker. In fact, he even tells Gordon that the Joker is not a big problem. He fight the mob, and act 1 climax with Batman capturing Lau, and Gordon/Dent nailing the mob. Bruce does not concern himself with The Joker until Joker kills the copycat and attack Harveys fundraiser, which happens around 45 minutes into the movie.

[@Denmosocial]

Saving this for later!

[@sibusisoboemah]

Great explanation bro!

[@LaneMaxfield]

I know your focus is more on writing for screens than pure prose, but do you think the same principles apply to a novel vs a book series? Part of me thinks they do, but part of me also thinks that, even in a book series, there needs to be more structure because of how long the audience waits between installments.

[@NighttimeDaydreams]

In my humble and unlearned opinion, I think it depends largely on whether you're writing a standalone novel, or one that you want to make as a series. I think the concept translates pretty well. Like stated in the video; when deciding which you should write, ask yourself which is/should be the major selling point of the story you want to tell, and write thusly.

[@aymen2949]

The fundamental and the real difference between Film and series writing is not mentioned here, also i don't know any series writer who uses the story circle, no one is using it for series, it doesn't work at all, series have a very different structure than film, it's much more complex than the simplistic and "very limited" story circle structure

[@bluedragon1181]

It is still used it just does not follow every point in the story circle. The story circle is not limited at all it can be changed easily depending on the story with all the elements needed for a good structure.

[@HonestArttsEntertain]

I get it. I've seen a lot of movies that are character driven even if uts a. Hour and a half. But you made some great points.

[@diegonaitor0623]

Can you talk about how to introduce a character

[@bluedragon1181]

Introduce a character at their most characterized moment. If a character is a knight introduce him when he's training, if a character is a detective introduce him when he's solving something.

[@user-fm3tr8mo9i]

​@@bluedragon1181yes introduce the character at their most characterized moment but the examples are wrong . Examples you mentioned just say about their profession not character. For example in LA confidential Russel crowe is introduced when he beats up a guy. That scene not only shows that he's a cop but most importantly he's a brute.

[@prezadent1]

Still waiting for the programming tuts.

[@juancarlosguzman8983]

Nice video production and nice I do thanks

[@LightningAdrian]

When is Tyler coming back?

[@TylerMowery]

I never left. 😎

[@LightningAdrian]

Oh, so that means your the one who is controlling the channel and editing the video. By the way I made a character that has the same name as you.

[@LightningAdrian]

Oh, so that means your the one who is controlling the channel and editing the video. By the way I made a character that has the same name as you. It’s taking me a long time to finish my screenplay.

[@josiahskillman8271]

Yeah but what about a Tv Show like Twin peaks: The Return?

[@rahulray9983]

Make a video on RRR

[@ChristopherRolls]

Hmm. Westworld became about survival and human worth. Would say it turned more onto the path of man’s core instinctual survival drive and endurance to push towards their self-preservation, with the aspect of sacrifice, etc. Faced with a superior enemy, somewhat. The biggest fault was the introduction of the new character, more so the reputation of the actor. Seemed as if the studio, show, plot, leaned too much on this aspect. Which it did at the start with Anthony Hopkins. Nevertheless, it went through with the setoff, dived deeper into the core aspects of the two paths, but failed. (has been a while, but that was more of the last few season vibe I got. More of game plotline, do this, do that, this happens, get the key, quest deal and not a proper story with a satisfying resolve, because you knew how it would end. The journey wasn’t a real satisfaction. Wouldn’t say they were great, all over the place, as if the writers hit a wall and couldn’t get over it. Might have needed more time on the scripts, would’ve worked out better.)

[@frankie3010]

I think that the golden age has ended. Or is, at least, dying down. The growing vitriol and disrespect shown towards the fans, coupled with growing political radicalisation of Hollywood have soured people on them. Plus, a lot of it is intentionally terrible(Velma, Witcher, Batwoma)

[@MrArtist1971]

Television arcs with the conclusion after a season is garbage. Give me the old fashion mystery-action-solution PER episode.

[@mrswan667]

No.

[@liamfarnell6638]

No.

[@BryGoose]

"No." Is not an argument people. I really hope you are not writers if that is all you can say in opposition of an opinion. In regards to the OPs opinion, I can understand their point. You can absolutely do contained episodes while progressing an overall story arc.

[@liamfarnell6638]

@@BryGoose 😲 man can't take a little fun

[@BryGoose]

@@liamfarnell6638 cheap cop out to being called out

[@Nerf_Jeez]

I doubt the usefulness of this video