One vision, four walls: A qualitative view on a writers’ room model in Finnish serial content creation
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School of Arts, Design and Architecture |
Bachelor's thesis
Ask about the availability of the thesis by sending email to the Aalto University Learning Centre oppimiskeskus@aalto.fi
Authors
Date
2020
Department
Major/Subject
Elokuva- ja televisiotuotanto
Mcode
Degree programme
Taiteiden ja suunnittelun kandidaattiohjelma
Language
en
Pages
25
Series
Abstract
Recent years have witnessed a phenomenal global boom of TV series; it has largely become a norm to consume audiovisual entertainment (through online services) in larger portions than a single ep- isode allows. The trend for creating other-than-English-language TV drama has been boosted by the phenomena; audiences around the world are nowadays more accepting than ever towards consum- ing entertainment in other languages. All this has resulted in a sort of baby boom of serial drama production also in Finland. In TV drama production writers’ room is a screenwriting model used for serial drama creation; essentially it means setting up a framework within which more than two writers are able to work on with the same story. The model has traditionally been used in comedy and continuing, so called soap opera, series. The origins of the model lie in the US but are now being applied to also in Europe. This study mirrors how the writers’ room model is being used in the industry in Finland today. TV drama success cannot unfortunately be measured by how much effort and resources have been put into it. Large success in the industry is usually insecure and often rarely achieved. However, there are measures that can largely affect the success of Finnish series. Firstly, more resources should be put into concept developing phase of a series. Currently this phase is usually financed by and carried out at the creators’ own risk; a more institutionalized system could benefit the amount and quality of concepts conceived. Secondly screenwriters are being utilized in the shooting phase to a very little extent. Considering the fast pace of a TV drama shoot, writers could bring in much needed support for the directors. Lastly there seems to be a skills gap developing in the Finnish industry and this should be tackled by the educating bodies with a structured approach to TV drama creation.Description
Supervisor
Haavisto, MiiaThesis advisor
Heiskanen, AnnaKeywords
writers’ room, showrunner, television, TV writing, TV drama, TV series