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SimplyScripts Screenwriting Discussion Board  /  Screenwriting Class  /  Introducing Characters in a Series
Posted by: Zack, September 28th, 2013, 12:17pm
When writing a series, do I need to reintroduce characters with every new episode?

~Zack~
Posted by: Breanne Mattson, September 28th, 2013, 12:38pm; Reply: 1
I've seen a principal character show up in dialogue without even being introduced in the description. Other times, I've seen the characters' names capped with their first appearance while there was no description given. I don't think I've seen a character fully introduced the way they are in the pilot, though.

I think it really depends on the series creator. The creator sets the trend.
Posted by: oJOHNNYoNUTSo, September 28th, 2013, 12:47pm; Reply: 2
Not sure of the formal answer, but why not?  Maybe not a bunch of adjective clauses filled with a list of visual specs, but something that connects our memory with character.

I've seen a character sheet after the title, but I think that's lame.
Posted by: Bogey, September 28th, 2013, 12:47pm; Reply: 3
I've seen TV scripts that only introduce the characters by description in the Pilot script, and others that have a one-pager with character descriptions with each script.

I think the TV format is far more flexible than the movie format.

-Rich


Posted by: Leegion, September 28th, 2013, 1:21pm; Reply: 4
No, you don't have to.

Introduce them when they first appear in the first episode, then just write them as you would if it was a feature.  

No need for multiple introductions, as the "pilot" will tell us who these characters are, and if someone didn't read the "pilot" then they will likely not read the second, third or fourth scripts.

Hope that helps.

Lee
Posted by: Zack, September 29th, 2013, 10:04am; Reply: 5
Thanks guys. Appreciate the help.

~Zack~
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