Formats in Film and Television

Single Drama – This is based in television and is quite rare in this day and age and is designed as a ‘one-off’ story. Single Dramas are mostly based on typical issues, which the producers think is better suited for television than for cinema.

Formats in Film and Television

 

Serial – This format is used for a TV Series that will use the same characters (sometimes the same locations) regularly but each episode is not complete within itself and storylines will continue through to each episode. This is to encourage the audience to watch the next episode and find out what happens. Some Serials can carry many storylines (some up to four or five).

 

Procedural Drama – Procedural Dramas are a series which each episode its own storyline and which will rarely carry over to the next episode. Procedural Dramas are very popular all over the world. Shows such as Castle, CSI: Miami, NCIS, Bones and Hawaii Five-O. Most Procedural Dramas are based around law enforcement agencies, court or law.

 

Series of Films – A Film Series is a collection of related films that succeed each other. Some Film Series are multi-film work. Individual sequels are common but not always successful enough to spawn more sequels. Well known Film Series include Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars, Star Trek, X-Men, Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones and Transformers.