Television. The Role of the Director and Writers

Transcription

1 Television The Role of the Director and Writers

2 In television the purpose on a show are primarily to entertain people in order to draw advertising revenues for the network which helps to pay all involved. Without drawing in advertising revenues a show gets cancelled but a successful show gets syndicated. We are going to explore the writers attempt to draw an audience with tools using the plot and characters.

3 The Role of the Writer: Plot The writers of the show use various forms of plot manipulation to create an excitement and pleasure while watching their show Techniques Used Flashback/Flash-forward this allows us to experience their life history and connect with what has happened and will happen that has led to this point in time. Multiple plot lines in order to ensure that the watcher is challenged the writers create more than one plot line around different characters but ensures that all of the plot lines eventually meet. The constant flip between the plots allows the writer to delay simpler plots and extend more complicated ones Suspense the writers also at the end or beginning of each episode create a traumatic event or cliff-hanger in order to appeal to the human instinct of curiosity. We as viewers know that a show is coming to a close when the suspense level increases Twists we as watchers want not only to be entertained but also challenged intellectually so the writers will inject a twist into the plot line to trick us and outwit us which creates this sense of betrayal which we as watchers find enjoyment in

4 Character The Role of the Director: Types of Characters Portrayed The character is the central part of the plot and their development is crucial for the success of the story and of the series. Although the plot is important it relies heavily on the characters to forward the plot in the direction needed. As a watcher there are certain aspects of characters that we cherish, which keeps us coming back for more. Love or Hate when watching a show we find that if we love who the character is and what they stand for then we create an attachment to them and their story. Often they are people that we want to be like or wish that we were. And sometime there are characters that we hate and want to see fail because they represent everything that we are against. Sympathy whether we love or hate a character the writers often needs us to create an attachment to the character so using the plot they try to create sympathy either from something that has happened in their past or something that has happened in the series where it was unfair. This strategy is useful as we need to find a connection with the character and if you empathize with them you are more likely to want to see them succeed Commonalities with character sometimes there are characters on the series that either reminds us of people we know or they remind us of ourselves. This is often the case with sitcom, where the characters are everyday people and we can relate to the situation that they are in. Mysterious throughout any series a writer must continue to spark the interest of the watcher and often keep secrets from the audience about the character. It is usually something in the past that they have done (skeletons in the closet). These mysteries are slowly revealed or the writer gives us a clue that something is not right.

5 Character Psychological Aspects of Character Sanity vs Insanity: sanity is a person who is in their right mind and lives according to the social norms of society. Those who are deemed insane are those that lose touch with reality and no longer play by the rules of social norms (this is an extreme behaviour not just a challenge of authority) Moral vs. Immoral: are the choices that the character makes based on morality. Morality is defined by what is a concerned with the principles of right and wrong behavior and the goodness or badness of human character. If one chooses to go against these principals of right and wrong they are said to be immoral. Genuine vs. Fake: are character is genuine when what they say is matched by their actions while a fake character contradicts their actions and words. Collectivistic vs. Individualistic: in this case a collectivistic person is one that is looking out for the better of the group while an individualistic is one who cares about only themselves.