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Exploring Television Narratives: The Bible for Alias and Character Complexity

In Lecture 8 of "The Bible for Television," Professor Daniel Cutrara explores the essential elements of TV narrative structure, particularly through the lens of J.J. Abrams' series "Alias." The lesson delves into differences between television and film, the packaging of a TV series, and the importance of character development within engaging plots. It discusses how the complex dual life of protagonist Sydney Bristow exemplifies key narrative strategies, including emotional depth and dramatic irony. Insights into successful showrunning and audience engagement further enrich the understanding of modern television storytelling.

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Exploring Television Narratives: The Bible for Alias and Character Complexity

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  1. Lecture 8:The Bible for Television Professor Daniel Cutrara Alias (2001-2006) Created by J.J. Abrams 1

  2. Previous Lesson • Laughter • Types of Comedy • There’s Something about Mary

  3. This Lesson • Intro to TV • The Bible • Alias • Assignments

  4. Introduction to Television Lesson 8: Part I 4

  5. Television vs. Film • Film • Larger than life • Director’s medium • Television • Smaller than life • Writer-producer medium

  6. Narrative Structure for Network Television • ½ Hour Sitcom • 2 Acts with a teaser and a finale • 1 Hour Drama • 4, 5 Acts with a teaser • Webisodes • TV Movie • 7 acts

  7. Fragmentation of Television • Network • Cable • Pay Cable • Internet • Iphone

  8. Network • Delivery system for advertising • 1960’s 51 minutes, now 42 minutes • Nielsen ratings • Drives narrative structure • Commercial demands on development • Series don’t have much time to gain a following

  9. Cable and Pay • Cable • Less dependent on commercials • Niche audience • Pay • Only needs to satisfy select audience • Free to push boundaries

  10. The Bible Lesson 8: Part II

  11. Packaging a TV Series • Creative Concerns • The Characters • The Concept • The World • Commercial Concerns • The Showrunner

  12. The Bible • Series Concept • Character Breakdowns • The Setting/Franchise • A Treatment for the Pilot • Future Episodes

  13. Series Concept • Fresh Insight • Genre recognition • Engaging Conflict • Examples • Lost, Heroes, Grey’s Anatomy • The Office, 30 Rock

  14. The Characters • Engaging • Sympathetic, intriguing • Potential for Change • Areas where we hope they will grow • Situations that create conflict • Desires that will find obstacles The cast from House

  15. Setting/Franchise • Location • Familiar or exotic • Location • Functions as a character • Location • Vegas, Hospital, Space, Courtroom, Police station, Suburbs, High School

  16. The Pilot • Introducing the World of the Series • Lead and continuing characters • Situations typical of the series • Tone and style • Narrative structure • Teaser or cold opening • Four or five acts

  17. Alias Lesson 8: Part III

  18. The Series • Creator- JJ Abrams • Felicity, Alias, Lost, Mission Impossible III, Fringe, Star Trek • Alias ran 5 Seasons

  19. The Pilot • Running Time 1 hour 9 minutes • Establishing Concept • In a world of espionage, Sydney discovers what she believed in was a lie. • Sydney– daddy’s little girl, grad student, yearns for normal life vs. Trained killer

  20. The Intro • Pause the lecture and watch the first clip from Alias. • Where is the story starting? • How does it establish the world? • How does the transition to the University setting twist it?

  21. The Intro: In Media Res • Where is the story starting? • In the middle of things • Establishes frame story • Juxtaposes world of espionage with that of grad school. • Establishes Sydney’s bifurcated life.

  22. Characters • Sydney • Complexity • Skills revealed as pilot narrative unfolds • Emotional depth also revealed • Conflict between her differing desires for emotional connection and spy vocation.

  23. Conflicted Character • Pause the lecture and watch the second clip from Alias. • How does this scene twist the plot? • How does this scene reveal character? • Skills, emotional connections.

  24. Conflicted Character (2) • How does this scene reveal character? • Exposes Sydney’s conflicted relationship with her father. • Reveals her martial skills. • How does this scene twist the plot? • Sydney on the outs with SD-6 • Father reveals they are the bad guys and he’s working for them. • Use of dramatic irony

  25. Supporting Characters • Conflict created through relationships • Men as potential romantic partners: Danny, Will, Michael • Men as father figures: Jack, Sloan • Men as allies: Marcus • Women as friends: Francie

  26. Franchise/Setting • Double Lives • Spy vs Civilian • SD-6 • Double Agent • CIA

  27. Structure • The Tease: • Torture as Frame Story • Act One • Introduction and mission assignment • Return to frame • Act Two • Successful mission but Danny murdered • Return to frame

  28. Structure (Cont’d) • Act Three • Mourning, Questioning, Father saves her reveals they are SD-6. • Return to Frame • Act Four • Does the mission on her own • Caught, catches up to Frame Story • Escapes, returns successfully, goes over to CIA. Father reveals he’s double agent.

  29. The Wrap Up • The Bible • Engaging the audience through Character • The complexity of Alias

  30. Assignments Lesson 8: Part IV

  31. E-Board Post #1 • Approximately 200 words. Pick a tv series and explain why the central character(s) are intriguing. • Comment on two of your peers.

  32. End of Lecture 8 Next Lecture: Stranger than Fiction

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