To understand the formula for a successful TV show is simple. Take a premise and add innovative public preferences, as demonstrated in recent years. The result is a show that fans and critics can not stop talking about it.
For a while ', it seemed, the networks have been gaining ground. But no matter how clever premise of a show, there comes a point where viewers may consider executives or preferences at all. Most of the jump. And the shark. And before you can say "saveCheerleader, Save the World "look with horror, as evidenced by once-popular dive in the standings.
As network execs have a difficult time, it is true, perhaps it is time that someone from the equation work for them long-hand on the table. We Robert McKee to us through the principles of a good story short, we may need a primer for creating a hit show in today's society.
What are the patterns of recent history tell us? What elements seem to indicate resonancewith young and old, Sci-Fi geek and addict like TMZ? What constantly intrigues the audience and ratings of the units wider range of audience?
Perhaps if the manufacturer is no longer churning out shows like 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter, and began following these 8 simple rules for creating a success in prime time, would actually have a better chance of success.
Rule # 1: together an ensemble of 10 + people who have expressed very different in age and ethnicity as well.Everyone should be interesting to see, but no one should be overly attractive. Men should dominate women.
The Cast
In our society, separated, grown in the direction of ensemble cast viewers, because they give a sense of instant community. The public may be forced to a group of people from different backgrounds, not only to interact, to see, but also to work together toward a common goal. This can be as simple as a paper (The Office), or as cosmic as the salvation ofPlanet (Heroes).
Age and ethnicity
The good news is that a large cast of great diversity, the fans what they want, especially if it is possible for age and ethnicity. A group of hot, white 20-somethings can be made on CW. In our global society, we need a show to people from all parts of life and the world. Every race, religion or belief should be represented.
Aspect
Their voices should not be too attractive. The spectators, as stories of people whocan imagine in their world. Each figure should be attractive in a unique way. He or she should be interesting to see, but not so surprising that the average person would distract from it.
If sex appeal is necessary, should be heavily male gender (McDreamy and McSteamy are thinking of Grey's Anatomy). This should not be too difficult, because if "Rule # 1 followed your votes will be composed of more males than females. See where men outnumbered womenlikely to become hits.
Sex
Any woman who votes in a leadership role must be credible (think Teresa Lisbon The Mentalist). If a female is any kind of representation bailiffs have never been too weak to dress or act sexy.
When a character is gay, it should be clear so that the public is not misled (eg, a feeling, "said these two men for men's Monday Night Football ... surprise, are now out!") None appreciated by writers to make a statement.
Rule No 2:The parent must learn to act with the involvement of all votes, the members to overcome their differences, so they can work together to achieve a common purpose or to combat a greater evil.
The plot
In addition to their individual needs and obstacles, the entire group of characters, including face something bigger that come together to have passed.
A team effort
The common goal is that teamwork in the direction must be large enough to bring each character to sacrifice somethingTo achieve (think Sectionals Winning in Glee or escaping Fox River Penitentiary in Prison Break).
Something Insidious
If the group is working toward a common goal, they must combat a greater evil, a force must fight together to be played. This incarnation of evil, the entire range of the devil himself (Supernatural) Nuke terrorists running around LA (24), a bitter cheerleading coach with a secret agenda (Glee) want.
The most mysterious is the greater evil,better. The name of the greater evil is better left ambiguous (the company thinks it's Heroes and Prison Break or the Others on Lost).
Make It catastrophic
Where is the common goal, or most dire consequences or worse, some large, hundreds if not thousands of people affected, the stands will be enthusiastic spectators. Even the flattest Viewer is usually willing to wade through years of character development when there is a potential nuclear apocalypselooming. (This principle works in reverse. Attracted viewer begins to emerge from actual nuclear apocalypse on the horizon, ready to rule, through years of character development ... Wade going anywhere even if it is chock full of bad writing Yep, I'm talking of you Jericho fans! Put down the peanuts.)
Rule No 3: The writer should be under the assumption that the average viewer is actually intelligent. Must sign as people in real life to talk.
TheDialogue
Conversation between characters must be believable. Should not the obvious intelligent, returned on the previous events, the provision of long term exposure or remember what the public should be sufficient to take upon themselves.
One of the oldest axioms for writing scripts is "Show Do not Tell," but the writers to say more. Less is usually more dialogue. For example, what is the fastest way to prove that a male character is actually male? Silence. Real MenHe does not talk much. You think. Watch. Work. They fix things. They play sports. They read. They bury themselves into the hobby. But do not clap over coffee with friends.
BFF's
The characters, the friends should talk to friends in real life. Most of the conversations between friends are full of jokes inside. People who have known each other a long time to talk and interact in a way that the unique friendship. If this relationship ismissing in the dialogue, interaction rings false.
The cardinal error
There are certain words and phrases that still plays a television writer who should play to be banned. For example, people simply do not qualify their statements with "Look", or "heard". And if only two people in a room where the person is not likely to pronounce name the person the other's in conversation (for example, "Dan, this is not what I say.") The people do not know phrases preface with the name of the personto speak, unless they have just finished reading How to win friends and influence people.
Rule No 4: The show is interesting to basic issues new questions about the nature of humanity and the meaning of life.
Topics
Despite what could be the junk-media believe the public should be encouraged to think about philosophy, religion, politics, science, literature, sociology and psychology. The recent remake of Battlestar Galactica could not be madeHearing it was void on military and political, not for his running commentary of what it means to be human to be mentioned.
To become a hit, the consignment must be intelligent, stimulating ideas. It 'true that the public should be entertained, but do not want entertainment at the expense of the Enlightenment (even Glenn Beck can say that).
Make 'Em Laugh
If you plan to address the free will vs. determinism, with its standard questions about the fate of man and natureits ability to meet future should not change avoid cliches with caution. The "Battlestar Galactica" writers were in a position that was fun exploring their destiny before the public the opportunity to "Kara Thrace and her special destiny to do? That sounds like a bad cover band." Kara Thrace-
The Big Picture
Just because we denied in a pluralistic society, does not address the fact that, on a subconscious level, we want to explore religious themes. The public has long shownonce again that they gravitate towards plots involved matters of faith, faith, spirituality, morality and ethics. Everyone is always looking for answers to questions about the meaning of life, if you want to admit it or not.
Rule No 5: If a character is a hit with fans, giving him or her more screen time. If the fans as a character, write the characters. The same applies to a particular romantic pairing.
The fan favorite (or not)
This rule, also known as "MichaelEmerson Rule "is a direct result of the Internet age. When Michael Emerson joined the cast of Lost as Henry Gale, was provided only in the show for some episodes. But it was a buzz about his performance on message boards, fansites and podcasts The authors have developed a new role for him and is now one of the most fascinating, complex characters on Lost.
Use em 'or Lose' Em
When a person touches a chord with viewers, you should make good use of this fonteven if they are appointed. On the other hand, if a character is not in tune with the public, you should reduce your screen time.
Write to the creators of Lost In groped a beautiful twenty something couple named Nikki and Paulo on display in the third season, fans called their bluff and writers literally buried alive. Respect for the fans show Lost runners grew and became more loyal because their views count and their voices werelisten.
Abandon Ship
I always skip loaders to develop anything romantic couples, but if you find that a particular pair makes waves negative thinking among the fans, (Gizzy on Grey's Anatomy), the couple should be immediately dissolved. Let them mourn the loss of load, the fans will thank you mentally stable.
Rule Number 6: shock the audience. Do this only rarely. Realize.
The Shockers
This rule is also known as "Dead Teri Bauer Rule, known critic. Nonesaw them coming in the last scene of Season 1 final 24, where Jack Nina Baehr as a trusted companion, the traitor we have never seen his wife murdered in cold blood. It 'was the shot heard' throughout the world and in the early evening, though not without debate, immediately raised the show must-see status. This was the reason, the shock absorbers were invented.
After a TV series is dead and buried, the public will remember, probably only because some scenes from several episodes of visa. ThoseThe scenes are almost always changes the game shock, who had dropped jaw, and people buzzing for weeks afterwards. Therefore, well done Shockers essential components of a hit in prime time.
No Tease Please
Shocking the audience is more effective with limited use. Their impact should be immediate and real. Nobody wants to take around a promo show that, "This week ... listen to one of these four characters will die ..." The element of surprise is essential. The shock must come from nowhere. NotSorry, no promotion. With spoilers lurk behind every click of the mouse now the Internet has made it difficult to keep under lock and key switch of the game, but it is impossible to do. (Although it has lost three alternate endings Taping with three different people in a box of ALA funds). Shockers are only effective if the public does not see coming.
Finally, it estimates the viewer a scene where something happens, the shock, but then ... Surprise! The character wakes up. It was alljust a dream. This is a cheap device for writing and there is rarely a reason to use it.
Rule Number 7: If new characters are introduced after the first season of the show should be integrated in the old group of characters, sketched as a friend of a friend should be incorporated into a hard Super Clique: very slowly and with much of the debate and skepticism.
New characters
As new characters are introduced in an exhibition, some members of the original must be clearTo articulate, by word and deed, what the audience already thinking: "But who the hell these people think they are?"
Skeptic
Until new characters to go beyond integration to prove themselves worthy of the original cast have wrapped in a veil of suspicion. Any attempt of a perfect integration into primary votes will not be well received. Viewers do not like change.
A family Random
After the public has spent the time to know a character,And 'insensitive to a "spring surprise on" them (like Meredith Grey's half-sister Lexie Grey's Anatomy or Jack Bauehr evil father and brother to 24).
Never Say Die (if not)
The public can be the death of a primary character through the introduction of a new / replacement follow if and only if certain conditions are met:
1) The death and must be the necessary credibility, not banal or melodramatic.
2) There may be more of a hero's deathper season.
3) The character, not death can become a darling of the public.
4) The public has a couple of episodes of crying before the introduction of new / replacement character will be given.
Rule No 8: romantic stories are acceptable in small doses. The reports should be based on reality.
Lines romance
If viewers want to see relations in constant turmoil, which began their DVR for Days of Our Lives. prime time on romantic relationships are progressingAnxiety and drama. Most viewers identify with the most real, the romance with his feet on the ground, where the identities of people over their sexuality.
Cheaters
Although people seem to fool the great American pastime right up there with golf-it 's not yet a reality for most. In order to show a character struggling with the temptation to cheat is ok, but for every ignorant person is wavering under the weight of sexual temptation.
Most viewers are happy, well adjustedReports that their main battles involving external communication and stresses such as family and money. These struggles to present the relational tension, however, the constant threat of a deal to go far to engage the public in the long term.
Sex Addicts
Although dependence on sex is everywhere these days, writers should keep in mind that, unlike Tiger Woods, most American men would not opt to bed with a girl jumping in VH1's favorite tool Academy. Although an exhibitionCast is dependent sex more than welcome in a token (as Barney Stinson on How I Met Your Mother), the rest of the characters show should compensate that person by the appearance of a healthy, monogamous majority belong.
And speaking of monogamy, as most viewers happily married, humor shows that marriage should be kept as a death sentence, is not original or funny. It is probably best saved for lame sitcom.
Indicates that the route rules
Now that 8 simple rules for creating aPrimetime hit were created, we examine four different shows, the benefits of following the rules as a large and loyal following only later to break the rules and began a dive in the ratings.
Prison Break
Many people have the DVD of Prison Break Season picked up a set because someone has recommended them. The reason everyone loved the first season because the show respect for the rules.
Rules followed
The show began with a large multi-ethnic, mostly maleVotes, which was very different in age and origin. The plot in the first season was ideal because the group, as well as a common goal and to fight a greater evil. They had to escape Fox River Penitentiary, and had to survive the sadistic warden to do so.
Other rules follow:
Or Rule # 5 While T-Bag was an immediate feeling with the fans, the producers used more than him.
Rule # 8 wire or romantic place between Michael and Sarah was marginal.
Rule # 4 or "senseof freedom "theme was clear but not offensive.
Rules broken
The second season was a tough battle to fight from Episode 1. The main characters have already had the common goal of escape Fox River as the primary action, originally brought the audience hooked disappeared without a trace. The writer tried this by creating a new common objectives for the ex-cons: identification of a release of funds under a garage floor on the outskirts Hidden Stash. This objective has not been quite catastrophic, andIt 'was the first in a series of errors.
Half of the second season of the writer began breaking the rules right and left. The money was too early and once again moved the common goal open. As the authors of a new greater evil (the Company in the 3rd season), Prison Break had already lost much of its audience.
Other rules broken:
Rule # 6 The shock or head off Sara was done well ... to ... Oh wait a minute cut, which had not gone to his head.
Rule # 1 If an agent or stereotypical hard-ass named Gretchen was introduced in the third-best, was written too sexy and too fragile to be remotely credible.
Rule # 5 or Gretchen was a terrible way, the viewer intelligent nor the fans (of which there were few) were once Voice Their dislike for her. The producers did not listen, and held under the main cast. There seemed a glimmer of hope when he finally killed herSeason 5, but then turned around and broke Rule # 6 again, because ... Surprise! Gretchen was not really dead. His return was the final nail in the coffin, which was less than 6 meters in length.
Heroes
Heroes will be the saddest example of all the performances, perhaps because almost every rule was firmly in the first season followed. So if you fall from grace, his case was so long and disturbing as the first attempt, Peter Petrelli is in flight.
Rules followed
The cast is perhaps the HeroesThe best example of Rule # 1 The cast was brilliant as different as everyone has equal. Better yet, intuition lost due to the nature of regular viewers show in cultures around the world (think family in India, Mohinder, Hiro and Ando households in Asia, etc.). The age of the characters was equally broad, Angela Petrelli and the older generation all the way up to Claire, the cheerleader.
Other rules follow
Rule # 2 O The plot is well designed, becauseas Prison Break, Incorporated is both a common goal (Save the cheerleader) and a greater evil (Sylar). Even better was the common goal, an effect that was catastrophic in nature (Save the World).
Or Rule # 5 After the fans embraced people like Hiro, Ando and HRG were better written into the show.
Rule # 8 or romantic stories have been kept rather low key.
Rules broken
The writers started the second season of Breaking Rule # 7, when they introduced newCharacters in the first scene of the first season. In the same episode broke Rule # 8 with the introduction of a new love interest for Claire. They sat on nearly Break Every Rule during the second season of the show, and now the only reason to watch Heroes is the kind of twisted shit wonder that executives network with producers can get.
During the second season of Heroes was no longer a common goal on a catastrophic scale that was the reason for the entire show growing popularityduring his first season. Combine this with the fact that Sylar, the incarnation of the "greater evil, has been humanized, and was less of a threat. This would be fine if it was still treacherous evil have taken its place, but" society "which apparently was never intended to do just that, she felt really awful. Since HRG, a favorite of fans, was an employee of a company-there was never a strong enough reason to fear them.
Without a pending apocalypse and united front against the evilHeroes' story lines came together to form a web of confusing nonsense. Plot was so stupid that even hardcore fans will not stomach.
Other rules broken:
Or Rule # 4 The subject was terrible fate as brothers Petrelli waxed on the importance of their situation.
See Rule # 3 or above. The dialogue sucked.
Rule # or 7 new cast members were never properly integrated into the show. old people remained on track.
Fan # 5-rule or have been preferredstories bizarre and boring. (Who remembers goofing around Hiro in the past half a season?)
24
The show was epic scope from the outset and have remained strong enough for a couple of seasons with a few exceptions (think Kim Bauer Cougar). The action always involved a potential catastrophic event. Despite the criticism and debate 'on the validity of the format "real-time, spectators were recorded for all 24 hours.
Rules followed
The CTU agents, andRepresentative government has always been involved in a common goal to stop a greater evil. There is no better than a group of people have tried, want to stop a terrorist cell to end the lives of millions of Americans.
Other rules follow:
Or Rule # 6 The 24 authors established the principle of "shock-standard", with the death of Teri Bauer on Season 1 final. They were flawless in their execution. Then in the third season, has managed to make their jaws drop once again, when Jack pulled out a gun and shot his bossRyan Chapelle blank.
Rule # 5 or as a computer geek Chloe Eccentric was a hit with fans, took a more prominent role in the show. Also, after fans complain about the uselessness of the daughter of Jack, Kim, was written in the series.
Rules broken
During the fifth season as a writer does not conform to kill main characters (as defined in Rule # 7) to comply. They killed too many main characters in a very ugly, and so began a battle with snowballsEffects of the rules broken. Before long, Jack Bauer were also trivia buff slip shyly behind the water cooler Tuesday morning.
If the 24 producers announced that the sixth season would be "no greater focus on Jack trying to save the world" but to him, "try those who were closest to him to save," was a CTU agent to recognize that they were inventing a formula for disaster. Viewers do not care if Jack 24 hours, was given to save some lives. He had at least oneNuke to avoid in the Nevada desert just for its detonation in a major U.S. city. Jack fixed it big, not small. This gross misunderstanding of what the public wanted 24 to cause further decline in ratings.
Other rules broken:
Or Rule # 7 When the writer has decided the greater evil in season six of Jack agitation would never mentions his father and brother, the public has his head in disbelief.
Rule # 6 For 24 or the provision have made the shockingOfficials have also broken their own rule, when the dead before Tony Almeida to bring back to life, decided Season Seven
Rule # 5 Despite the falling or above, could not hear the fans a wave of excitement when one of their favorite characters return has been achieved. But after a long season, the writer plays with the emotions of the viewer, (Tony is wrong, Tony is good now is bad, no, he is good), a public exhausted finally threw their hands. If the clear favorite of the fansstrangled good guy FBI agent Larry, fans threw a white flag and surrendered. They realized they were at the mercy of producers and had no control over the design of the show.
Grey's Anatomy
The Meredith Grey VoiceOver has not always been so cringe-worthy as it is today. The heyday of Grey's Anatomy seasons 1 and 2, people could not stop buzzing about the show doctors that overshadowed all other hospital dramas. So the rules were broken, and the show began the slow but steady slide,never fully recover.
Rules followed
From the beginning, followed by Grey's Anatomy rules # 1 and # 3 to a nearly perfect final. Seriously. The cast was brilliant, varied and interesting to watch. Males and females much sex appeal weighed heavily on the male gender. Add to all these authors understand the dialogue well written and it is no wonder Grey's had a balance of worship as after only half a season.
Other rules follow:
Rule # 5 or as a signAs Bailey, Callie and Addison were the fan favorites, were more airtime. If a couple poor romantic (Gizzy) fans that want to vomit, have been put on ice.
Or Rule # 6 Several Shockers incredible holding spectators spellbound. Vision of an attack a man in a million TV sets is a time, most will not soon forget. And the fans who have been with the show, even after his fall hard finally rewarded for their loyalty with the George-always-hit-by-scandal-BUS-putend of last season.
Rules broken
Season 3 marked a difficult transition for Grey's Rule # 7, when broken with taste. New character Lexie Grey as the sister of Meredith and the prosaic plot reveals accumulated with the family drama and conflict boring.
Other rules broken:
Rule # 1 or gay characters were poorly written. Nobody wanted to see fan favorite Callie discuss their fears "do the deed" with the doctor Mann.
Rule # 5 When Meredith or more, and tearsrepulsive needed to have less air time. But this has not happened. And although fans of the pair of Cristina and Burke, network executives gave Isaiah Washington to keep the boat in order, adored their GLBT-friendly image. This should be a compelling narrative where we have trumped political correctness.
Rule # 8 or Everyone on Grey's Anatomy has started operation of sex addicts. McSteamy being sexy, a bitch, might be acceptable if all other in SeattleGrace had not been followed. More doctors all seemed interested in one and only one, more like a soap opera the show won best youth plausible to CW.
Success
There is only one show in prime time on television at this time, gained both critical acclaim and an obsessive fan. Lost is an international success, that something truly amazing is the loyalty of fans around the world have reachedThe highs and lows of five seasons. Millions of viewers will experience the depth of the title of the series is aired after the series finale in 2010.
So how has lost a feat achieved rarely seen on television in prime time? Under the rules, of course.
Rule # 1 or The Lost cast is tremendously more than 30 characters at last count. These characters in the field is very old (from Walt to Locke) and ethnicity (Iraqi soldier Sayid torture specialists Charlie PaceUK heroin addict rock star). Men are women.
Rule # 2 O Every season has a new common purpose and a new, larger more insidious evil than the last. More and more layers are back, as light and dark sides pulled unveiled.
Rule # 3 or The Lost writers rarely write a line of dialogue foreigners. interactions are almost always believable characters. If not, talk to fans.
Rule # 4 or creators of the show have, like Jacob, is a brilliant tapestry wovenThemes together to form the fabric of the series. Travel time from science, philosophy of John Locke's theories of BF Skinner, fans, a mythology that includes a full buffet of fascinating knowledge worthy to be addressed by further research.
Or Rule # 5 As mentioned, the producers of Lost practically wrote the rule on the fan favorites. Whether you play a new role for the character of Ben Linus or kill Nikki and Paulo, whoconsistently point when it comes to the use of fan-favorite in the series comes, even taking into account fan favorite romantic couples like Juliet and Sawyer.
Or Rule # 6 If the public probably only remember the moments of shocking in every show, Lost has given something good. Who can forget the time we all realized that they were actually watching a flash forward, instead of a flashback during the final scene of season 3? ("We must go back, Kate!") Or how aboutWhen we saw the island disappear into the sea? Or when Locke reveals that he wanted to kill Jacob?
Rule # 7 or Lost show runners have excelled even this rule. Every time they introduced new characters (for example the other team freighter Charles Widmore, etc.) show newcomers with great skepticism, considering the emotions of the public.
# 8 During the rule or square Jack-Kate-Sawyer-Juliet can get a bit 'disgusting, the authorsstruck a balance when it comes to romance. For viewers, that is somewhat related to be repaired, they get it, but never at the expense of good stories.
Summary
Now you know the 8 Simple Rules for creating a success in prime time, and only as a spectacle by the following rules, it failed only in the short term, but throughout the series (almost). Maybe in 2010, Leadership Network is finally taken into account the will of the people who are developing new shows. Viewers knowwhat they want and talk as loud as a cloud of black smoke swirling in the middle of a jungle island. It 's time for
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