Procedural vs Serialized

Definition

Procedural and serialized refer to two distinct storytelling formats used in television writing. Procedural shows focus on standalone episodes that typically follow a clear structure, often revolving around solving a problem or case, while serialized shows tell a continuous story across multiple episodes or seasons, emphasizing character development and overarching narratives. Understanding these formats is crucial as they influence how stories are crafted and how audiences engage with the content.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Procedural shows are often popular among broadcast networks because they allow for easy entry points for viewers who may not have seen previous episodes.
2. Serialized storytelling fosters deeper character development and complex plots, which can lead to higher viewer investment over time.
3. Many police dramas, legal shows, and medical series are examples of procedural formats, while dramas like 'Breaking Bad' and 'Game of Thrones' exemplify serialized storytelling.
4. Procedurals tend to have predictable structures that make it easier for writers to create episodes on a tight schedule, which is beneficial in a broadcast setting.
5. Serialized shows often require viewers to watch episodes in order to fully understand the plot, which can make them more challenging for networks with fluctuating viewership.

Review Questions

• Compare the audience engagement strategies used in procedural versus serialized television formats.
  • Procedural formats often engage audiences by offering standalone stories that allow viewers to jump in at any episode without feeling lost. This accessibility makes procedural shows appealing for casual viewers. In contrast, serialized formats require ongoing engagement as the story builds over time, creating a loyal fanbase that is invested in character development and plot progression. As a result, while procedurals attract broader audiences with their self-contained episodes, serialized shows foster deeper connections through continuous storytelling.
• Evaluate how broadcast network constraints impact the development of procedural versus serialized TV shows.
  • Broadcast networks typically favor procedural formats due to their self-contained episodes that attract new viewers easily and fit into a fixed scheduling model. These constraints can lead writers to prioritize episodic structures that deliver quick resolutions. On the other hand, serialized formats face challenges in sustaining viewership across multiple episodes and seasons since each installment builds upon previous ones. Thus, network constraints often shape the type of storytelling that can be effectively executed within their programming schedules.
• Analyze the implications of choosing procedural over serialized storytelling on character development and narrative complexity in television writing.
  • Choosing procedural storytelling generally limits character development since characters often reset after each episode, focusing instead on plot-driven narratives. This format tends to prioritize formulaic problem-solving, which can restrict emotional depth. Conversely, serialized storytelling allows for intricate character arcs and complex narratives as characters evolve through challenges and experiences across episodes. This choice impacts not just audience investment but also the potential for thematic exploration within a series, showcasing how essential it is for writers to consider these formats when crafting their stories.

Related terms

Anthology Series: A type of television series where each episode or season features a different story and characters, allowing for varied storytelling within a single series.

Character Arc: The transformation or inner journey of a character over the course of a narrative, especially significant in serialized storytelling.

Cliffhanger: A suspenseful situation at the end of an episode or season that leaves the audience eager to know what happens next, often used in serialized formats.