Here's the deal - not every story is meant to fill a two-hour movie, and some are too colossal for anything less than a TV series. Let's face it; some narratives aren't even cut out for that, they're so streamlined and targeted, they'd make a perfect short film. It all boils down to the scope and depth of your story.
If your first draft is coming up too short or too long, use this comparison chart to assess whether you’ve possibly chosen the wrong format to begin with.
| Feature | 1hr TV Pilot | Half-Hour TV Pilot | Short Film |
Length | Typically 90-120 mins | 55-65 mins | 25-35 mins | Under 45 mins |
Story Complexity | Self-contained story with clear three-act structure | Can handle complex narratives with ongoing subplots | Less complex than 1hr TV show, often with a single or a couple of related storylines | Single, focused narrative, typically with a simple structure |
Character Development | Limited by film length, characters often follow a clear and concise arc | Allows for deep, long-term character development | Characters can develop over time, though at a typically faster pace than in 1hr TV show | Often focuses on one or two main characters, limited development |
Visual Elements | Cinematic, big visuals. Emphasis on show, don't tell | Visual storytelling important, but episodic nature allows for more dialogue and character development | Often more dialogue-driven due to shorter length, but visual humor/style important in comedies | Depends on genre, but usually highly visual due to short length |
Pacing | Steady pace with climactic points at the end of each act | Slower pacing with cliffhangers at the end of each episode to keep viewers coming back | Faster pacing, usually with a focus on efficient storytelling | Typically very fast-paced due to time constraints |
Audience Appeal | Broad audience appeal, often genre-specific | Can target a more niche audience due to episodic format | Often comedy-oriented, appealing to a wide demographic | Can target very specific audiences; often used as a stepping stone into the industry |
Production Resources | Requires substantial funding and a large team | High budget but stretched over multiple episodes | Less costly than a 1hr pilot, but still requires significant resources | Can often be produced on a smaller budget, with fewer resources |
Career Goals | Good for those aiming for a career in film industry | Great for long-term employment and consistent work | Good for writers interested in sitcoms and comedic storytelling | Ideal for beginners seeking recognition in film festivals and competitions |
Hopefully, you now have a clearer understanding of which format is going to work best with your idea, but that doesn’t mean it’s set in stone that you have to use that format. Read on to discover how to flesh out or trim back your concept to suit the format you want to write in.
