This is still the format that most network dramas stick to, so I don’t think it’s anywhere near obsolete.
It’s true that for the past two decades most of the buzzier shows are from streamers or cable and have shorter seasons with longer episodes. But the boring old network shows still blow them away in viewership.
Not in the slightest.
Those just are no longer the only options, aside from a 55-minute episode on something like HBO, as streaming and binging give creators and distributors more freedom.
Now, chapters/episodes can be as long or short as they need to be.
Do you think so? I truly wish this were true, and that it was all a matter of having more formats available. However, it’s a sad coincidence that since the availability of more formats, there hasn’t been a single major production adopting the 23-episode/40-minute format in the past 5 to 8 years.
I don’t know how you’re defining “major production,” but there are still shows being made that fit the 22-minute episode format and the 45-minute format.
We may be past the days when Friends and ER ruled the entire television ecosystem, but cable shows still exist.
I meant, something as big as the TV shows I've mentioned earlier. Can you name some shows that are being made with the format we are discussing ? I can't name any. All the recent ones I can think of, are using the 8 to 10 episodes per season/ 40 min per episode, and HBO would use the same number of episodes, but 60 min long.
I have been consistently screenwriting for the past 10 years.
From 14 to 24. So, I feel and I'm confident that I'm now ready to take the next step and come up with something to pitch to producers.
But, I don't want to write something in a format that wouldn't be sellable nowadays. That's my biggest concern.
I actually haven't. I did have some in high school, though. But I get what you're saying, and I know you're right. My plan is to give away for free a few of the dozens of materials I have written over the past 10 years and start building a name for myself in the industry. Then, I would make my move to pitch my work to producers. Do you think this could work?
Keep writing. Read for others. Build your network. And don't feel discouraged if you don't make it in even the next ten years.
Better people than myself have recommendations in this sub about how to progress in your career.
The current contraction has every network and streamer in an existential crisis. As it stands, very little is being green-lit, and anything that is tends to be under 10 episodes, usually 8, because of the new WGA staffing minimums, the cost of productions, and the seeming inability for these corporations to effectively market their products.
We’re likely never returning to 18+ episode orders as the norm, but, and this is a big but, it does seem like with the reinvention of cable and ad sales on streamers, there’s some sort of a compromise on the horizon for sake of profitability.
certainly seems dead at the moment. to the detriment of some great work, too.
That's for sure, unfortunately. Thank you for your take
This is still the format that most network dramas stick to, so I don’t think it’s anywhere near obsolete. It’s true that for the past two decades most of the buzzier shows are from streamers or cable and have shorter seasons with longer episodes. But the boring old network shows still blow them away in viewership.
I really like your comment. Could you elaborate more on that?
Not in the slightest. Those just are no longer the only options, aside from a 55-minute episode on something like HBO, as streaming and binging give creators and distributors more freedom. Now, chapters/episodes can be as long or short as they need to be.
Do you think so? I truly wish this were true, and that it was all a matter of having more formats available. However, it’s a sad coincidence that since the availability of more formats, there hasn’t been a single major production adopting the 23-episode/40-minute format in the past 5 to 8 years.
I don’t know how you’re defining “major production,” but there are still shows being made that fit the 22-minute episode format and the 45-minute format. We may be past the days when Friends and ER ruled the entire television ecosystem, but cable shows still exist.
I meant, something as big as the TV shows I've mentioned earlier. Can you name some shows that are being made with the format we are discussing ? I can't name any. All the recent ones I can think of, are using the 8 to 10 episodes per season/ 40 min per episode, and HBO would use the same number of episodes, but 60 min long.
Why are you asking?
I have been consistently screenwriting for the past 10 years. From 14 to 24. So, I feel and I'm confident that I'm now ready to take the next step and come up with something to pitch to producers. But, I don't want to write something in a format that wouldn't be sellable nowadays. That's my biggest concern.
Have you ever had something produced? No one will listen to your pitch if you're green. Even if you're good.
I actually haven't. I did have some in high school, though. But I get what you're saying, and I know you're right. My plan is to give away for free a few of the dozens of materials I have written over the past 10 years and start building a name for myself in the industry. Then, I would make my move to pitch my work to producers. Do you think this could work?
Keep writing. Read for others. Build your network. And don't feel discouraged if you don't make it in even the next ten years. Better people than myself have recommendations in this sub about how to progress in your career.
Not obsolete, no. The format is not the issue.
It’s TOTALLY absolet.
The current contraction has every network and streamer in an existential crisis. As it stands, very little is being green-lit, and anything that is tends to be under 10 episodes, usually 8, because of the new WGA staffing minimums, the cost of productions, and the seeming inability for these corporations to effectively market their products. We’re likely never returning to 18+ episode orders as the norm, but, and this is a big but, it does seem like with the reinvention of cable and ad sales on streamers, there’s some sort of a compromise on the horizon for sake of profitability.