Take 1 doctor, one or more companions, add location flavourings, a large amount of drama, a pinch of humour, a spicy villain and allow to cook for approx 45 mins until world is saved 
Recipe for general episode?
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Originally Posted by WhovianDK:
“sorry - I thought I posted it
here you go: http://www.superdoomedplanet.com/who/cliches.html”
“sorry - I thought I posted it
here you go: http://www.superdoomedplanet.com/who/cliches.html”
Thanks, that is hilarious.
Originally Posted by GDK:
“If you want to broaden your scope beyond Doctor Who, I recommend J Michael Straczinski's "Complete Book of Scriptwriting". It lays out the structure and format of TV shows and other media. And gives a potted history of each media as well.
The TV stuff is relevant for commercial TV and talks about teasers (usually short pre-credits "hook") and the 3 or 4 act structure to fit the requirements for commercial breaks. For example, you have to structure the narrative to have some sort of hook (or mini cliffhanger) at the end of each part as you head into the advert break, to get the audience to stay with the story and not switch channels.
If you want to broaden even further, there's lots of stuff on the web about how all narratives conform to one of the 7 (sometimes 8) basic story archetypes.
There's also stuff on how much of episodic TV is not really drama, as normally the principle central characters are exactly the same at the end of the story as they were at the beginning. They haven't learned anything, but maybe the guest star of the week has. Of course much modern TV is not like that any more.
Good luck with the thesis!”
“If you want to broaden your scope beyond Doctor Who, I recommend J Michael Straczinski's "Complete Book of Scriptwriting". It lays out the structure and format of TV shows and other media. And gives a potted history of each media as well.
The TV stuff is relevant for commercial TV and talks about teasers (usually short pre-credits "hook") and the 3 or 4 act structure to fit the requirements for commercial breaks. For example, you have to structure the narrative to have some sort of hook (or mini cliffhanger) at the end of each part as you head into the advert break, to get the audience to stay with the story and not switch channels.
If you want to broaden even further, there's lots of stuff on the web about how all narratives conform to one of the 7 (sometimes 8) basic story archetypes.
There's also stuff on how much of episodic TV is not really drama, as normally the principle central characters are exactly the same at the end of the story as they were at the beginning. They haven't learned anything, but maybe the guest star of the week has. Of course much modern TV is not like that any more.
Good luck with the thesis!”
As mentioned above ^^ And basically a start, middle and ending! Maybe a teaser at the end!
Originally Posted by doctor blue box:
“Take 1 doctor, one or more companions, add location flavourings, a large amount of drama, a pinch of humour, a spicy villain and allow to cook for approx 45 mins until world is saved”
“Take 1 doctor, one or more companions, add location flavourings, a large amount of drama, a pinch of humour, a spicy villain and allow to cook for approx 45 mins until world is saved
”
Exactely!
Right now I am going through all the 'new' episodes (from 2005 and forward) - and almost EVERYONE follows "my" recipe..
Its amazing that it can be so good even though it is so repetitive..
This is my currect criterias:
Recipe:
0short intro to previous episodes, to catch up
1a Cliffhanger – intro
1b*Everyday life on the TARDIS.
2*The TARDIS then Materializes somewhere
3*seperation
4*intergalactic hijinks
5* TARDIS malfunctions / is lost
6*Action takes place. There is usually a lot of running involved (through corridors)
7*the Doctor and his companion(s) are reunited just in time to face imminent doom
8*Doctor uses his intelligence to solve the problem. Often the solution is a ‘normal’ human thing/emotion – The Doctor gives the enemy/‘monster’ a chance or at least lectures them.
9*back in TARDIS, on to next adventure
10 teaser for next episode
INV = ‘alien’ invasion
Recipe:
0short intro to previous episodes, to catch up
1a Cliffhanger – intro
1b*Everyday life on the TARDIS.
2*The TARDIS then Materializes somewhere
3*seperation
4*intergalactic hijinks
5* TARDIS malfunctions / is lost
6*Action takes place. There is usually a lot of running involved (through corridors)
7*the Doctor and his companion(s) are reunited just in time to face imminent doom
8*Doctor uses his intelligence to solve the problem. Often the solution is a ‘normal’ human thing/emotion – The Doctor gives the enemy/‘monster’ a chance or at least lectures them.
9*back in TARDIS, on to next adventure
10 teaser for next episode
INV = ‘alien’ invasion
In a conflict between humans/aliens or even aliens/aliens/humans
Both sides will have a rational leader who is interested in peace and a closed minded, easy to anger second in command /military adviser/vice president etc who will baulk at the leader's attempt at peaceful resolution and demand he declares war on the other side immediately.
Then there'll be a brief misunderstanding and either the peaceful leader will wind up killed or perhaps the warmongering 2nd in command will have a wife/son/daughter who is caught in the crossfire, only hardening his views that the enemy is pure evil and must be destroyed.
After a lot of chasing and The Doctor espousing on both sides basic goodness there'll be another sacrifice from the other side later on, changing the 2nd's mind that maybe there is some good in these former enemies after all and perhaps they should give peace a chance.
Standard trope for Silurians, Draconians and all alien species that aren't Daleks or Cybermen tbh
Both sides will have a rational leader who is interested in peace and a closed minded, easy to anger second in command /military adviser/vice president etc who will baulk at the leader's attempt at peaceful resolution and demand he declares war on the other side immediately.
Then there'll be a brief misunderstanding and either the peaceful leader will wind up killed or perhaps the warmongering 2nd in command will have a wife/son/daughter who is caught in the crossfire, only hardening his views that the enemy is pure evil and must be destroyed.
After a lot of chasing and The Doctor espousing on both sides basic goodness there'll be another sacrifice from the other side later on, changing the 2nd's mind that maybe there is some good in these former enemies after all and perhaps they should give peace a chance.
Standard trope for Silurians, Draconians and all alien species that aren't Daleks or Cybermen tbh
formulae = many formula
Whatever happens ensure all alien creatures, despite initial indications to the contrary, adhere to 21st century 1st world views on morality and humour, and early 20th century British views on the subservience of the foreign and the superiority of the wealthy rational. Enid Blyton has a lot to answer for.
Whatever happens ensure all alien creatures, despite initial indications to the contrary, adhere to 21st century 1st world views on morality and humour, and early 20th century British views on the subservience of the foreign and the superiority of the wealthy rational. Enid Blyton has a lot to answer for.
Originally Posted by Face Of Jack:
“As mentioned above ^^ And basically a start, middle and ending! Maybe a teaser at the end!”
“As mentioned above ^^ And basically a start, middle and ending! Maybe a teaser at the end!”
Yeah. These days, because there is often an ongoing story arc, you often get a "Previously on...." before the teaser.
And, as you said, "Next time...." after the end of the story.
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