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What makes for a good tv drama?
I know this really doesn't fit the PDD, but I posted this in the CHill Out Room and got nothing but nonsense back, literally. If it bothers you that I posted this here, than just ignore it.
For those of you that watch some of the quality programming on TV, such as Nip/Tuck, CSI, the Soprano's, etc., what makes for a good tv drama series? How much drama do you like (Let's say Nip/Tuck is a 10, CSI is a 1, more subtle drama not neccessarily boring)? Which type of characters do you identify with the most?
Just curious.
Hmm, I don't really watch a lot of TV, I'm trying to follow a few "quality shows" tho, right now I'm watching Lost and Prison Break, I like them because they are rather well done, at least to be a TV show, and I like it because they both have good actors/good photage/editing. They are both quite predictable tho, which is kinda sad, but I guess they still have some kind of deeper picture than the normal show. I would like to see that kind of show but with more depth in it so you have to think more, like in a movie or something. Oh and of course, a TV drama like that should be really exciting too, so you just have to watch the next episode to see what's going to happen 
Nip/Tuck is an awesome show (albeit this season has gotten off to a pretty fucked up start!). I particularly like the music montages, though that's certainly not the only prerequisite for a good show.
The Shield is another great show--and not much music. It's just really intense. FX has really surprised me with the number of good shows they've put out in the last few years.
I used to follow angel and buffy. I really liked those shows because the script was always better than something from lets say prison break. The actors played thier roles really good and kind of always seemed that each episode was different from the last which is something I liked. Right now I am currently following Supernatural and smallville. I was following battlestar Galatica; but that channel is now gone.
I believe what makes a show a good drama is having charecters that might not be really possible in the human world but what a person can be like. Like all the different personalities coming together and watching them act together that creates good drama.
The reason I like CSI and Nip/Tuck is because the characters have major flaws. This is done especially well in CSI, where these flaws are hinted at subtly. However, I keep comming back to CSI and Nip/Tuck because the two shows are complete opposites, where CSI revolves around subtle character development (more realistic), Nip/Tuck revolves around constant drama (more entertaining). I was curious though what characters people love and love to hate in shows. I have an idea for a tv show, and I want to draw off of what makes other shows successful, so I appreciate the input.
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| Originally posted by kush paintings The reason I like CSI and Nip/Tuck is because the characters have major flaws. This is done especially well in CSI, where these flaws are hinted at subtly. However, I keep comming back to CSI and Nip/Tuck because the two shows are complete opposites, where CSI revolves around subtle character development (more realistic), Nip/Tuck revolves around constant drama (more entertaining). I was curious though what characters people love and love to hate in shows. I have an idea for a tv show, and I want to draw off of what makes other shows successful, so I appreciate the input. |
| quote: |
| Originally posted by kush paintings The reason I like CSI and Nip/Tuck is because the characters have major flaws. This is done especially well in CSI, where these flaws are hinted at subtly. However, I keep comming back to CSI and Nip/Tuck because the two shows are complete opposites, where CSI revolves around subtle character development (more realistic), Nip/Tuck revolves around constant drama (more entertaining). I was curious though what characters people love and love to hate in shows. I have an idea for a tv show, and I want to draw off of what makes other shows successful, so I appreciate the input. |
I'm not saying CSI isn't entertaining, but it isn't the character developments that carry the show, rather the different crimes. My idea for a TV show revolves around the life of expats in Japan, the main character works at a hedge fund. I have noticed that with most TV dramas that are successful, their is a certain amount of stability brought with some sort of job that needs to be done every day/each episode. I am just curious as to what the balance should be between character development and the job action.
I don't watch any TV except for MadTV and other comedy shows like that. I think believability helps a show a lot. The show has to bring the audience in and care about what happens.
the last tv drama i gave a chance to was the OC, and during the course of 3-4 episodes it managed to completely disgust me.
i hated the nonstop drama from every direction, so unrealistic.
but still, that show is a huge success...
*shrugs shoulders*
Kush your idea for a show sucks; why dont you elaborate some more.
I defintely like the quality shows: Writing, Actors, Film.
My favorite shows in order this season are:
Rome (HBO... I was a Classic Minor and a big Roman buff. They have done the best repersentation of roman society I've ever seen. All the same while ensuring that it is entertaining. Very good developed characters).
Lost - great character development and plot.
Battlestar Glactica - best scifi since Star Trek Next Generation imo. The plot and characters carries this one. Acting sux.
Scrubs - best network comedy. Good actors, nice plots, engaging characters.
Arrested Development - this show has a good plot and good actors. However, the character development is (parodical) bad which brings to its enjoyment. I think one of the most rewarding shows to watch from the begining due to its use of "inside jokes" throughout.
I also watch Apprentice (Trump) - my only reality show, but it is wanning on me.
The trend I observe in all shows I like is that I have watched every episode from the begining. If you had not watched the series in such away (perhaps aside from Scrubs and Apprentice) it simply would take a great deal away from its enjoyment.
Aside from those shows I don't watch any TV (I don't have a TV for that matter.. I get all my TV shows from the internet)
I read a book recently about a Princeton grad who was recruited for a hedge firm in Japan in the early 90's. At the time there was a relatively low level of regulation on what a hedge fund can and cannot do, compared to the wall street firms. Naturally, the action at such a hedge fund is pretty exciting. Basically, this group sits around and thinks of different ways to come up with high returns for investors, who are required to invest large sums of money. So the show would revolve around different schemes the fund comes up with. Conflict is provided by competiting hedge funds, the Yakuza gang (the most powerful gang in Tokyo with connections that run deep), and on the side is the story of one American expat in Hong Kong who single handedly crashed the market. The show would be centered on a similar character to the book, fresh college grad, and his mentor the hedge fun head, who is sort of a mysterious character, he is rich beyond imagination and yet his personal life is much rumored about, in addition his intentions with our main character are not always clear as he attempts to control him. That's basically the idea of the show. If you think it sucks tell me why instead of just saying that it sucks.
The formula for a good television drama are the same as the formula for any good drama, be it theatre or film or print.
There needs to be a story and characters that hook you in some fashion.
The problem with any television show in the US is the length of the season. It takes a lot of work to make a good story continue over the span of twenty-two 35 minute (that is about how long the episodes are sans commercials) episodes.
This long season is why you will find more foreign shows that are more engrossing as a whole. There is less filler to draw out the plotlines, so the show hits more consistently in the vein it is intended to.
An original idea will take you far as well. That is the hard part though, virtually nothing on non premium channels in the US is a recycled storyline if not title.
(old and jaded)
MrS
Ok the way you put it now sounds good and something I might actually watch. Reasons as to why it might suck? Hmmm well I shall tell you. Hollywood, being hollywood, would make you put crappy actors who can't even act and that would create a sucky show because the actors have to be able to convince the audiance at the role they are playing. I mean do you remember that show fox had; Marti Noxton was the producer and writer, however, her show went nowhere due to bad actors. The idea of the show was good and the show would have lasted more than one season but bad actors will never make the show return. I seriously believe if you want to create this show you are going to have good actors rather than models playing all the parts; which is one of the reasons as to why I watched the show. I cannot remember the name but that is not important.
Also a problem might be you. What do you intend on doing on the show? Not only be a producer but maybe write and direct some episodes? But anyway as good as an idea it is it might not work; due to how much competition there is.
However how do you intend on making this show, it is a good idea by the way; like who do you intend on going to, to get this show started? btw I said elaborate I was not neccessarily saying it sucked so sorry if I offended you, Matt?.
I'd seperate all the key sources of "conflict" that might arise in the environment that you propose so that you can source them for story ideas. Like, Yakuza, Coworkers, Clients, The City, Culture, Weather etc.
I'd also recommend you watch the movie Boiler Room to get an idea of how this kind of story can be told visually.
One good thing is that people have longer attention spans these days (shows like Survivor, 24, Lost have freed people from the idea that most stories have to be told in a single hour)
I've not read the book, but i'm curious what the main source of tension for the main character is? i.e. in the average chapter where is most of his stress coming from?
Subey, metal, appreciate the suggestions. I have seen Boiler Room, Wall Street, etc. My dad was a stock trader, and Im doing a business econ major, so if it doesnt work out for me in hollywood writing shit than I will be a slave to the street, so I do know a thing or two about the topic that's why I want to do a show on it, plus I think its a job-oriented show which hasnt been touched at all on TV.
I'm still a sophmore in school, so as soon as I get out I plan on going to a studio, this show seems like something F/X or TNT might carry. Then again, I know very little of the industry.
Metal, I would plan on writing and producing it, as I plan to minor in English with a number of creative writing courses. I would want to direct eventually, but I just dont know enough from a technical side, I know camera angles and what not but not much else. Oh, and my name is Adam, not Matt if you were curious.
Subey, the main characters source of tension is his competitive drive, so much so it is a flaw. This provides conflict with his mentor/ hedge fund head. Of course, this flaw could provide some very entertaining other conflicts, like if the guy begins to liek a girlfriend of a yakuza gangster, and naturally has to have her. Anyways, I need to think more about the characters, so if you guys have any ideas or would like to keep sharing what you like about tv shows I would greatly appreciate it.
Lost is currently the best show on television. Period.
Shock value. More shock = more attentive audience. Hence why Nip/Tuck has such a huge following. My theory, if I'm throwing my hands in front of my face and muttering "ooooh goddddd that's fucking disgusting..." it was a good episode. It's like a sick obsession. I watch it religiously. I actually battled someone in the basement last week because she didn't want to give me the TV. She wanted to watch Gilmore Girls... 
The O.C. Now THAT is a show I am addicted to. I think it's because they try to make a TV drama that most can relate to. A lot of people that watch the O.C. actually believe that they KNOW the characters... as if they are actually friends. We all have that one geeky friend, the one shopaholic who's a bitch, the one who just chooses all the wrong paths, and the one who used to be kind of hard edge and violent. And although we can't relate to the money factor (most of us), we can associate ourselves with the tight-nit small group of friends that have shit luck and insane drama. Probably none of us have any of those situations, but we have fantasy lives... and as awful as some of the situations are, they seem fabulous because of the attractive characters. I'm sure the show would flop if everyone on it were ugly. They casted the characters broadly, so as to appeal to most of the tastes of audiences.
Desperate Housewives... showing the other side of suburban life. Four hot women + sarcasm + hilarious situations = hit drama. Plus the men used... just as hot.
| quote: |
| Originally posted by Shakka Lost is currently the best show on television. Period. |
| quote: |
| Originally posted by St_Andrew I think I have to agree. And it's actually a lot deeper than I first thought! See that black thing? Apperently it is there everytime something goes bad (such as when the high school teacher was blown in the air), it's also the same thing that was hunting Locke in the woods! |
A combination of good writing and acting.
For instance, when the writers of Buffy changed to Angel you could really tell.
Luckily their was enough interia left in Buffy to keep it going but had it gone another season, I might has bailed.
CSI Las Vegas is definately another big one for me.
But, being that I work for Alliance Atlantis, I could very well be a little biased...
Firestarter, what do you do for them?
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| Originally posted by kush paintings Firestarter, what do you do for them? |
) atm which I hope to write before Christmas. I have the old MCSE NT behind me and oodles of 2000/XP support so for the most part, this is just a LOT of reading... 
Oh that is nothing for a moment there I thought you were a writer or something of that importance. I mean where you are now is pretty important but it would have been impressive if you were like a writer or director for buffy and angel. Anyways I am guessing names today fi3starter is your name John??
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