MIDPOINT Series Launch 2022

How do anthology, continuing and limited series work? What are common TV drama genres? Examining the formal structures and common story elements that compose the “DNA” of a series, we will look for the ‘engine’ that powers the storytelling in each series format and genre: the careful interplay of character, theme, arena and plot.

Wherever you’ve come from and wherever you’re going as a screenwriter, one thing is certain: notes will be coming your way and from all angles! Ben will use his experience working on both sides of the table - in development/production and also as a writer - to discuss how to give and take notes in a way that is productive, collegiate and fun.

At the core of each series lies an engine, a central question, a central conflict that, unlike in a movie, must not be solved. Stretching a movie for 8 hours might not be the solution either, for a series is NOT a long film chopped into small pieces. So how do you provide the fuel to go beyond the pilot?What sustains the conflict and makes the audience want to watch the next episode?

While in film, the legendary chicken and egg question of which comes first: the plot or the character remains unanswered, in TV series, CHARACTERS are the way to go: they are the reason we come back to watch the show.

In this lecture, Cyril will study the specifics of series characters. How they have to be approached, how they must be combined and confronted with one another in order to sustain conflict and generate situations and scenes for a long time. He will also discuss how they affect the narrative specifics that are at the core of any series, whether procedurals or serialized, all that good stuff that makes a series – a series.

This lecture is an exploration of deep structure in serialised stories of lasting quality.

What makes some TV series last and get better with each season,
while others start dying after just a few episodes? Why do some
affect us deeply, while others are temporary entertainment? What are the necessary ingredients in a successful long-running series – the kind that does not seem to have an expiration date?

As it turns out, the answers can be found inside an active volcano...

Ms. Murphy will discuss the highlights of the most powerful and critical parts of your script... The beginning and the end. In this market of television where there are hundreds of shows to watch - how can you break out of the clutter. It is critical to hook the audience in the first 10 or 15 pages. This is the heart of your show... the make it or break it. Maggie will screen an assortment of iconic pilot openings and analyze why they keep the audience mesmerized. There will also be discussion on the ending of your pilot and how it must also be equally strong to bring the audience back for more.