Week 13: Short-Format Online Video

Today we checked out some great online video at Channel 101NY (formerly Channel 102). We discussed techniques for cramming an entire show's worth of story and character development into just five minutes — not an easy job! Yet these episodes manage to deliver a complete story infused with struggle, rising tension, and resolution.

Remember also that pilot episodes have a special job to do, on top of delivering a story: they introduce the viewer to your story universe. The audience will be meeting your characters for the first time, so every action and every line of dialogue should really express who they are.

The shows we watched were:

• Puppet Rapist Episodes 1 and 2
• 28 Day Slater Episode 1
• Defenders of Stan Episode 1

I strongly recommend that you check out the Channel 101NY home page and also Channel 101 and watch this month's winners; Majestic Dragon and Stop It have been favorites in my other classes. Also take a look in the archives of both sites; all past shows are stored there. Two of my favorites are Yacht Rock and House of Cosbys.

If you know of other shows that people should watch, feel free to post a comment to today's class blog entry with your recommendations!

HOMEWORK:
Write the script for the pilot episode of an original online series. Your episode should be 5 minutes (10-page script, format same as sitcom). Remember to proofread on paper, not on the screen! We'll workshop the scripts next week, so they don't have to be perfect, but they must be complete (beginning, middle and end). I will collect this version along with the final version later.