The Critical Difference Between Film and TV Structure

[@TiagoCavalcanti-ji6hu]

I'm a simple man. I see a video with Jacob, I give it like already. Cheers !!!

[@Cato229]

It's interesting to see how these styles change and differ based on culture (e.g. K-dramas seem to be structured as soap operas), media type (e.g. 80's cables shows versus modern streaming where missing episodes is rare), or even platform (e.g. Futurama making movies after going from Fox to Comedy Central). I've been watching Star Trek: Enterprise and was really shocked when they transitioned to season 3. Seasons 1 and 2 had some storylines that would thread through episodes, but you could generally watch them in any order. Season 3 in much more like a streaming serial where the conclusion to one story is often the set-up for the next episode. Such a change in structure is jarring. I think folks not even thinking about storytelling would "feel" something is off.

[@BodyTrust]

Always good info. And then there's the "limited series" of 3-8 serial episodes, which are each separated by a cliffhanger. "Episodic" reminds me of Star Trek original show, in which the characters have no arcs, but guest stars often do.

[@BigRedStripe]

Yes. Guest roles are often the ones that have the arc.

[@user-rv4wn5qk7q]

Funny coincidence, I had just finished structuring my TV pilot outline and this pops in.

[@eduardocolella]

Good luck!

[@rexdavidson4028]

I would agree that the first dune felt like an incomplete story, but I still loved both - as did most.

[@PHASES_OFFICIAL]

Great advice love the channel 👍

[@peterbartels1874]

Love your videos Jacob. Interested in your comments on how a “Limited Series” might differ? (Or does it?)

[@geoffhoutman1557]

Overarching “series arc”, plus each ep has its three acts. Your A story doesn’t end til last ep, B and C stories can start and stop per episode.

[@gabesalgado789]

Should have kept mouth shut about Dune. It worked. Both made money and were highly acclaimed; the first was nominated for best picture and the second probably will too.

[@geoffhoutman1557]

Second Dune better than first. That Momoa Moadib scene in the first one! 7 minutes of zero energy nothing happening.

[@QualityVideoService]

You have an A story, B Story, & C story within a TV show.

[@BigRedStripe]

Well... yes and no... that's not always true. Often? Yes. Always? No. And regardless of how many of those stories there are, the "A" story is the story that holds the episode together structurally. The B, C, D... stories typically involve supporting characters and have little to do with how the episode is structured... those scenes can be put anywhere and they often are put in places to help with transitions for the main story that's holding the episode together structurally. Hopefully that helps.

[@QualityVideoService]

@@BigRedStripe Yes, Sir, keep up the great information!

[@juliamaddox4408]

The Dune films didn't do well? Really?

[@gabesalgado789]

Yeah this guy got that wrong. Embarrassing.

[@DexterMorgan-sd4jx]

Can you make a 40 pages screenplay become a 90 minutes movie?

[@thomascrump1165]

👍

[@badgerproductions24]

Someone should send this to Disney marvel

[@keithshaw2416]

Or The Hobbit (thumbs down)