Series
Series is where each episode of a TV show connects to each other and is broadcasted regularly. If it’s a TV show, then it’ll be split into seasons. Usually, each season of a show would consist of 6-8 episodes (usually in the UK) or 20-22 episodes long (usually in the US) and would last for approximately 20-40 minutes long.
An example of a show that is a series show is Game of Thrones because each episode in Game of Thrones because this show is split into 7 seasons (as of 2018) and across the 7 seasons, they contribute towards the main plot of the entire show.
Another example of a film that is a series film is the Marvel film. Most of the Marvel films (especially the Avengers as they are a direct sequel) connects to each other. The audience would understand the plot better if they started with the first Avengers film (or Iron Man as it is the first ever Marvel film).
In my opinion, I think this format is not effective overall because some audiences would start in the middle of the show/movie and would not understand the prequel. For example, (in my personal experience) I’ve started watching the Marvel Infinity War first then, had caught up on watching the other Marvel films before the event of Infinity War in order to understand the character's backstory and the actions leading up to this event (Infinity War). When watching Infinity War before the other Marvel films, it made me confused as to which character’s which. However, what makes this format effective is how the plot of the story in the TV show/film sequel builds a story which keeps the audiences interested at the show/film and will want to watch the next episode/film to find out more about what happens.
Single Drama
Single drama is opposite to series where TV shows last for 45 minutes to 1 hour, After that, there is no sequel and has a closed ending; basically single drama is stand-alones. Meaning, each of the episodes in a single drama show does not relate to each other.
Another example of a single drama is a TV show called American Horror Story. Each season of the show have different settings and horror story and each season does not relate to each other (genre aside). The plot of the show in each season are also based on real life and the ending at the end of each season is closed.
An example of a single drama TV show is Black Mirror. Each of the episodes in Black Mirror is has a completely different plot while the concept of the each of the episodes is similar and at the end of each episode, there is a closed ending.
In my opinion, I think this format is effective overall because as the single drama has closed endings, audience’s would not expect any sequel after watching a TV show/film that is single drama. Another reason why this format is effective because of the closed ending of the TV show/films has, it leaves the audience’s to remember a scene from the single drama show making the show memorable. For example, Black Mirror has been popular since 2011 and still is popular today because of the dystopian ending each episode had. However, what doesn’t make this format effective is the time limit, the film does not have enough time to explore the show as would a TV show have.
Serial
Serial is where the episodes are continuous and individual storylines in each TV episodes but built up of a wider narrative of the show or season. The characters and location are usually the same throughout the show. Sometimes a serial show is based on a real-life event or a book.
Another example of a serial TV show is Family Guy. The show has been running since 1998 and the plot of each episode is completely different and does not relate to each other besides the characters. As the show has been running since 1998, the show is run continuously for a set number of episodes then it’s next season.
An example of a serial TV show is Friends. The setting of the plot throughout the 10 seasons aired is usually the same where it features the 6 main characters located in the coffee shop or apartment.
In my opinion, I think the format of a serial is not effective overall because as the plot of each episode is different, audiences may want the storyline line to be touch upon again. Another reason as to why I don’t think this format is not effective is the fact that the storyline in the in the TV episodes are not long enough and may felt a bit rushed, using the examples I used, both TV shows run for 20-30 minutes long which does not seem enough (however in Friends sometimes, there is a part 1 and part 2) which dissatisfy audiences. However, what makes this format effective is the fact that 20-30 minutes is the best episode duration as audiences think that episodes lasting 20-30 minutes is not too long and not too short. Given that serial shows are continuous, audiences would binge-watch episodes; therefore, it is good because viewers are not going to decrease dramatically.
Genres (and subgenres)
A genre is a way to group types of films depending on the style of the film. There are many main types of genres in film, and there are subgenres. Subgenres are genres within a genre.
Main kinds include:
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Comedy
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Action
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Crime
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Adventure
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Science fiction (sci-fi)
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Romance
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Horror
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Drama
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Fantasy
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and Animation.
Another example of a TV show that has a sub-genre is How I Met Your Mother; they are mainly classed as a sitcom show. Sitcom show (short for situation comedy) is a type of comedy just the How I Met Your Mother. Although the sitcom show is comedies, not all comedy show is sitcoms, however, all sitcom shows are comedies. Another example of a sitcom show is Friends. The narrative structure between those two shows are similar both shows have the same fixed set of main characters, and the plot of each episode is similar.
An example of a sub-genre film is the X-Men franchise shows. Because their main genre is superheroes, a superhero is a subgenre of fantasy, action and sci-fi. For example, most of the characters in the X-Men films (known as “mutants”) have powers which meet the genre of fantasy, they work together in fighting the bad mutants to save the world which fits the genre of action, and there are some scenes where people study their power which meets the genre of sci-fi. Classifying all of those genres together makes a superhero sub-genre.
In my opinion, I think the format of a genre is effective overall because it helps group types of films depending on the style and helps audiences identify what type of films they liked based on its genre. However, I think the format of subgenre is not as effective because they can be confusing at times to the audiences which subgenre belongs to the genre. However, genres can help audiences specifically to narrow down on the type of films they liked.