The reason why I have researched British and American series from different genres is that I know what genre I am doing as well as the kind of television show (pilot) that I want to present. For example, if I wanted to Americanise my television pilot.
Waterloo Road
Straight away the audience knows that the TV Show is based (set) in a school because of the establishing crane shot that is used. In addition to that, the atmosphere (the feel) of the TV show and the episode before it has started properly, which is troublesome and hectic, to support that statement the head master is shown going ballistic because of stress.
The title sequence is okay but not fancy, which shows that the pilot was probably low budgeted and not as important compared to other things such as Actors. Even though the title is not great , the camerawork was great.
There is already a lot of drama, which is engaging. The means it is filling the proposed genre, also, the way the script is written tells the audience what type of dialect is used (colloquial as well as some illiteracy). All of these things are what makes a good pilot, which is the structure and content that is shown. I think people connect with this because maybe they can relate to different characters situations and the show could help them.
MisFits
The first episode (pilot) present the main characters instantly as well as the drama, introducing each character, their persona (personalities) and reason for doing community service. It tells the audience the basis of the TV show for example, how they get their powers (they are electrocuted by lightning) and what most of their powers are. I feel that the pilot is straight to point which is why it is so good.
Also, you can automatically know what the genres are. A comedy drama with a supernatural qualities. You recognise the comedy aspect of the show through Nathan, and the supernatural aspect through the different powers that each of them acquire, the drama is throughout the episode. In addition to that, the actors look cool, which creates a perception for each character that the audience can think.
After analysing the pilot, I have noticed the different elements that make this pilot good and I think it has broadened my thinking on how I should structure mine.
Tatau
In my opinion, I think that Tatau is an amazing TV drama shown on BBC Three, I felt like an actually movie but broken down into 8 episodes each episode was better than the next. For example, this pilot was amazing, the way that used the concept of a dream versus reality type thing as a base. Also, the storyline for the pilot was amazing two guys go to Hawaii to have a good time, drink a spiritual drink and is now trying to save a girl’s life, fascinating.
I’ve never anything like it. I really like the camerawork done for this first episode and how clear the picture quality I found it to be so clear which is brilliant. This pilot makes you feel sympathy and empathy for him because we know that something is going, he knows something bad is going to happen but the family and people on the island do believe him. I think everything about this first episode is interesting and draws you from the very start. After watching this TV pilot I feel that I have gain more knowledge about how a pilot should be because this is a phenomenal one.
Young Dracula
Straight off the bat you know it’s about vampires, I like the voiceover by young Vadamire and that they are disfunctional and back story that comes with it. I think the set, costume, the fangs and how the house contrasts the outside. I think the dialogue is very good, well scripted and the effects are amazing as well as the camerawork.
This pilot has drama as well as comedic that draws you in. The tone of voice Dracula is mysterious and powerful keeping you eyes glued to the screen, this is an excellent first episode. It makes you want to watch the next one. This is benefit to my project because it the type of pilot that engages you and I would like my first episode to have that similar effect on my audience.
Mandem On The Wall
I like this pilot episode because of the comedic scenarios that it displays plus you receive comedy straight way (from the very time start the video). I like the catchy tune that they have created as well as the subject and the scenarios that are shown.
The scenarios are funny because people remember the riots and the things people stole, I think that it is funny because it is was a hot topic and they may relate to people or just scenarios I have seen when the riots occurred. I think the music compliments the comedy really well.
In my opinion, after watching this pilot I feel that the scenes are well scripted and I like the different camera techniques however, at times I felt like the editing could have been better because honestly it did not bother me or distract me in any way so it’s okay. All of these features make this pilot episode funny and entertaining to watch and title sequence was very good. I have really beneficed from watching this.
Mr Bean
Mr Bean displays comedy through his facial expressions and the actions that he does. Furthermore, music compliments the actions that are being done, which makes the scene funnier and keeps me (the audience) interested.
This comedy show is amazing (legendary). I really enjoyed watching the title sequence for Mr Bean is very simple but interesting, I like this first episode because I think that it connects with many people in school or University how face the struggle of going into an exam reading the paper and end up gob-smacked because you haven’t a clue what the answers are. It is a really good TV pilot to watch because it’s fascinating , a comedy with mostly no word exchanged but still makes you laugh is a great one.
Britain’s Next Top Model
Women who want to be model strut their stuff and tell the audience about themselves so that the audience can get to know who they are. This is one part of episode one showing the contestants trying to impress the casting crew. This show is a judgemental show, you kind of know what the atmosphere and show is going by like straight away.
As soon as you start watching this pilot episode, you naturally start judging each contender because that is the vibe this pilot evokes. I don’t know this will help my TV pilot conceptually but it has clarified to me about what I do want portray to the audience and what I don’t want to portray to the audience. Good pilot, judgemental show.
Nigella’s Bite
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This sows is perfect for people who like to cook as well as people who like to eat.
I feel that the title sequence could have been done better but I get why it may not seem appealing to me because I have seen better and maybe, because it is the first episode production may not have had a big budget. This show is perfect for people who like to cook as well as people who like to eat, I like she goes start into it.
The tone of voice she used is engaging and I like the different shots used as she was talking this feature also made it engaging. I think it is a good first episode. I will not be doing a cooking show however, the different shots and how it is edited together has expanded my understanding on that. So, I feel that watching this has kind of made me think more about the camera angles that I may use and how I edit my final product.
Big Cook, Little Cook
I enjoyed watching Big Cook, Little Cook. Their enthusiastic tone puts a smile on your face. Also, the contrast in size i likeable. I think that the visual effects are brilliant, the way he flies on his spoon to his location. I like how the episode teaches you, which makes it entertaining plus it’s interactive (he involves you, asking you questions). The music makes him sound even more enthusiastic even though it’s just a voiceover. I like the pieces of footage showing the process of how the peas is distributed it is very interesting and aimed at kids which is probably why I liked it so much. It’s not a Drama but watching it has helped a bit for projects in the future.
American Series
Supernatural
After watching the television show Supernatural’s pilot episode I have found my things that I like. For instance, the back story as to why Sam and Dean hunt or hunted demons, the back story is heart racing and it makes you have sympathy for Sam, Dean and their father. This pilot is exciting because it involves action,drama and demons.
I liked this pilot because it takes me on journey of their lives and gives the audience more of an insight on the characters. In addition, there are other things that make this pilot good such as the camerawork, music, the storyline of the episode. Watching Supernatural has helped me because it involves quite a lot of drama as well as creating suspense, which I think is a good balance that keeps the audience watching. It connects with people who are into supernatural concepts and things similar to it.
The 100
The 100’s first episode is 40 minutes long and is has a lot of drama. I had especially liked the voiceover at the beginning of the episode because it gives you a bit of an insight as to what is going on and why there are happening. I like the contrast of colour and light because in the space shuttle it is dark and uses colour such as grey and black to make it look like a prison rather than a home in comparison to the ground (earth).
The earth is more lighting and vibrant (filled with different colours all light) and the way camera techniques they had used to empathise that it is beautiful and paradise made the scene even better. I think I could use that in my movies somehow, however, I feel that my TV pilot may be more gloomy than bright, but I could use it. Also, I like the concept (storyline) of the first episode because you see who are the enforcer and of are the followers behind them which you have a positive or negative opinion on. In addition to that, I like the next time part on the 100, it makes you want to watch it more, move on to the next episode because the exciting short clip edited together. I would like to have something like that in my TV Pilot because I think that it adds more drama to the episode, which in my opinion it good.
Teen Wolf
Teen wolf is good TV show to watch, involving werewolves and werewolf hunters. I enjoy watching this pilot because it is based on school and it presents the hardships of being a teenager and I think that is why other people connect with the show as well as the supernatural qualities. I think the approach that the writers went for on how the main character turns into werewolf is amazing, the camera and sound techniques they had uses it show off the abilities that he had gained for example, the advances hearing etc. Even though, I would not be able to use these techniques because my character is not a boy turned werewolf or supernatural being, I could use the concept of having my characters live changed in some way (hence the Amnesia). I think that this is a brilliant first episode and I know because I watched quite a lot.
Royal Crush
I like this online TV Pilot (Royal Crush), it’s 6 and a half minutes long, but very intriguing. I like how a few minutes in romance sparkles and I think that the camera quality is amazing. Additionally, I think the acting is excellent and the concept is interesting and romantic, the script is great and I like the text graphic involved. The romantic triangle is engaging and it makes you want to watch more and I like that the dialogue kind of foreshadows further events. I think that features like these make a good Pilot, furthermore, I think like high key lighting that has been you adds something to each shot. I could use the romantic aspect of this pilot depending on what I want to do, also, it’s 6 and a half minutes which will help me because I want my TV Pilot to be 10 minutes but still interesting.
Hannah Montana
Everything is very vibrant for example, the set, the clothing etc. It present to you the concept of the whole show, plus it involves the drama of high school for example, talking to cute boys and dealing with peers that you don’t get along with. Also, I think everything shown attracts the female audience e.g. the walk in closet with loads of clothes and shoes, that is a paradise which draws them in.
In addition to that, I think people can relate to having an annoying older brother so looks out for you and a best friend that you tell almost everything to. After watching this pilot I think the concept is great, I think that the acting is good which makes the episode more engaging. I think it would benefit me because I could the relationship between Miley and Lily in my TV Pilot, I’m not sure but it has made me ponder which is brilliant.
Phineas and Ferb
I like the concept of this pilot and the show in general, it keeps you keen. I think the colours used I feel has a modern theme and I think music compliments the episode perfectly, it creates more of an impact and makes it more exciting. I like that fact that even though Ferb does not say anything he still has the cool factor about him, plus he is the creator so it makes him even cooler.
I like this first episode because it is creative and I don’t think I have seen anything like it before. I like how it presents the concept straight away, they properly have to done that because it is a kids cartoon show. I am not sure how I could use some of the concept but if I ever do animation in the future, it has definitely benefited me in that sense.
American Idol
I think that showing clips before the actually auditioning had begun is really good, it makes you want to continue watching because you only have a snippet of what terrible and good singing is coming rather than the whole thing. I like the introducing showing the different judges and how Simon Cowell keeps it real about what the show is about and what he is about. I think that the show really connects with the audience of how honest he is and thee content of the show, in my opinion I think some people watch it just see the bad singers get humiliated and there are some people who have people on their that they want to see e.g. A relate, friends etc.
This show is very judgement both on the judges side and the audience’s side. The show is about dreams coming true but dreams have to be smashed in order to do so, which I think is unappealing. So, I think that I’m definitely not doing a Television that have theses qualities but camera techniques e.g. the zooms, the close-ups, I like how the cut from the person they had auditioned to the different judges which looks good. I also like the voiceovers that they use (the commentary) over the videos and I really like the title logo and title sequence. It is a good pilot episode but I dislike the humiliation it displays.
Hells Kitchen
I really like the title sequence, I think that the red and the fire link very well to the them (Hell) and I like the smoke, it is really cool and unique which a TV show should have one way or another. I like this show because it shows the realism of being a chef as well as working in Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant. I think that the voiceover telling you about Gordon Ramsay, England and what this show all about using a deep movies voiceover voice which gets your adrenaline pumping and heart racing.
This keeps me and I think other people engaged and that is just one positive aspect of this pilot and the show. In addition to that, I like he tells about what they have to do rather than making us guess because some people may know things about the show, it is like a commentary diary. I think that people connect with the audience but Gordon Ramsay is hard with them as well as the swearing. Overall, I feel that this pilot is really good and maybe I could use some of the aspects shown in this pilot.
Guy’s Big Bites
Straight away I like the title sequence, I think it a graphical and really cool, the music is amazing as well. I think the closeup shot of the food makes you want to eat it, that feature makes you want to make it. I like how they have a conversation which includes that fact about them and make jokes. As they are cooking they explain what they doing and much of one thing they need. I enjoyed that they are making conversation as well as making jokes and using an enthusiastic tone of voice, I think that it excites you and makes it more engaging.
In addition to that, I think that making them both shown and putting them both in centre of the screen, tells the audience that they are both equality important. I think that the set is good but it looks modern and their clothing implies that they are regular guys which I think appeals to the audience who are watching this pilot episode. I enjoyed watch this TV Pilot of the show and I like that it is very good, plus I think that the panning and zooming techniques could be useful to my project as well as some other techniques.
Stephanie Corr-Amajor 