Plotline Arcs in Television Series

[B5JMS Poster]

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
From: Sydney Carton <reidj at iocc.com>
Date: 23 May 1998 15:48:26 -0600
Lines: 12

One of the main reasons I have watched Babylon 5 rigorously is the
knowledge that the series has a predetermined arc.  The novel-like
format gives the show an added sense of purpose and meaning, and allows
for a much better story to be told.  It amazes me that this technique
was not used before Babylon 5.  Now that Babylon 5 has used the
plot-arc, and has shown that it can be done quite successfully, have any
other shows currently in production begun to use a predetermined arc?
One example may be Earth: Final Conflict; it definitely has an arc in
its development, but is the storyline for the series predetermined like
Babylon 5's?

Sydney Carton

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
From: jmsatb5 at aol.com (Jms at B5)
Date: 24 May 1998 11:24:11 -0600
Lines: 19

>Now that Babylon 5 has used the
>plot-arc, and has shown that it can be done quite successfully, have any
>other shows currently in production begun to use a predetermined arc?
>One example may be Earth: Final Conflict; it definitely has an arc in
>its development, but is the storyline for the series predetermined like
>Babylon 5's?
>
>
Dark Skies was announced as using a five-year arc, and in a recent interview
with the producers (Starburst? TV zone?  one of those) of the Stargate series,
they've said they're trying to do a B5 arc approach, though not quite as
intensive.  I think it's great; the more we can add new tools, the more
diversity we get as viewers.

 jms

(jmsatb5 at aol.com)
B5 Official Fan Club at:
http://www.thestation.com
-***
-*** B5JMS SUBSCRIBERS: Replies to messages go to the list maintainer,
-*** <b5jms-owner at cs.columbia.edu>.  If you want to reply elsewhere, adjust
-*** the "To" field.  See http://www.cs.columbia.edu/~ezk/b5jms/ for all
-*** other information about this list.