Every show or movie or drama that you see holds many storytelling tips. Next time you’re looking for something to binge, try these TV Series, written by some of the best!
You probably have a tonne of writing advice articles bookmarked on your browser or read-later apps, as well as stacks of how-to books stored away. While you should unquestionably embrace a learning attitude when it comes to becoming better at storytelling, remember that you can also immerse yourself in a fantastic source that’s probably already sitting right there on your TV, laptop, tablet, and phone: streaming TV Series.
Unlike feature films, which must hasten character growth and conflict, TV Series maintain a steady pace by building tension gradually, introducing recurring themes, and making subtle shifts and teases. Like a good story.
So here are 7 TV Series that you might have binged, but they also have great storytelling lessons!
1. Doctor Who
We’re not talking about “high concept” pitches here; rather, we’re talking about simple, one-sentence summaries of your idea. Your narrative really requires this. You don’t yet know your story well enough if you can’t sum up the essence of it in one or two sentences. Each story must have a unifying theme, such as “Frodo must destroy the One Ring or the world will end.” This guarantees that your story has a purpose and a motivating factor for conflict. This short summary can also be used to assess how original your concept is. Doctor Who manages to share one such story.
2. Lost
One of the most popular and watched television programmes of all time. It is a good illustration of a solid plot and structure. In the broadest sense, the entire series can be viewed as one narrative, where the first two seasons do a remarkable job of establishing both the environment and its people. By Season 3, we are aware of the issues at hand and the values that each character represents. The characters are subsequently driven into greater drama and strife in succeeding seasons, and it isn’t until Season 6 that we start to witness the results of their hardships. Whether the payoff was positive or negative, this series contained all the necessary plot-advancing moments at all the appropriate times. Just like a good story should.
3. The Office
One of the broadest casts ever seen may be found on The Office. There are numerous characters in the series, each with a unique personality. In your story, no two characters should have the same role to play. Character contrasts and differences in The Office lead to countless humorous and dramatic situations that keep the plot interesting. What can you learn from this show? Your characters should contrast as much as possible when it comes to writing. No two conflicts in your own writing will be the same if you keep your characters distinct and unique. This keeps your writing fresh and enlivens the audience’s admiration from scene to scene.
4. Modern Family
Sometimes we feel like a part of this family. It is partly because we can identify with the characters because they open up about their shortcomings and concerns to the viewers. We identify and empathize with them. We believe that if they were real, we would be on their side. We worry about fictional characters when we have a connection to them, as we do with the characters in Modern Family, and we experience the highs and lows of their life with them. This makes us want to read or watch further and see how their stories end.
5. The Walking Dead
A story has to be believable. The fact that it makes the terror of a zombie apocalypse seem genuine is one reason why AMC’s The Walking Dead is so exceptional. Details play a crucial role. That doesn’t entail overwhelming the viewer with a tonne of setting pictures and information. It entails picking the RIGHT details to concentrate on. The directors of The Walking Dead knew which shots to employ with significant elements that emphasize the authenticity of the narrative. Similarly, camera shots can be converted into descriptions and images in writing.
6. Breaking Bad
Your audience wants to know what happens next because of the tension you’ve created. It keeps people enthralled and interested in your work. They simply must know how it ends because they don’t want to put it down. Of course you want this, and Vince Gilligan’s Breaking Bad was renowned for it. The show keeps you wondering what will happen next and poses fresh questions. In Breaking Bad, no two characters get along, and nothing is ever definite.
7, Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones is a show in which almost anything can happen. This is more to do with how it plays off classic stereotypes and the mood established at the end of the first season than it does with the fantasy setting. Since then, the programme has developed a reputation for defying expectations in both pleasant and unpleasant ways. This makes it the riskiest show on television, the complete opposite of dramas featuring a body of the week, and one of the few places where an entire plot can start or finish in a single scene. The unpredictability of your story is a key element in keeping the readers hooked.
There is plenty to be learned from TV writing greats, whether you’re creating books or screenplays. These shows can teach a lot about the nuances of the conflict, drama, tension, and character development – all key ingredients to a good story!
If you liked our blog on storytelling tips from TV Series, check out our blog for more amazing content from the world of storytelling.
