1.2 A, B, and C storylines

Television pilots rely on A, B, and C storylines to create engaging narratives. These interconnected plot threads serve different purposes, from driving the main conflict to providing character development and comic relief.

Understanding how to craft and balance these storylines is crucial for writers. By mastering the art of weaving multiple narratives, you can create rich, compelling pilots that hook viewers and set up long-running series.

Types of storylines

• A, B, and C storylines are the main narrative threads that run through a television episode or series
• Each type of storyline serves a different purpose in advancing the plot, developing characters, and exploring themes
• Understanding the distinctions between these storylines is crucial for crafting a well-structured and engaging television pilot

A storylines

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• The primary plot that drives the main conflict and character development in an episode or series
• Focuses on the protagonist's central goal, challenges, and emotional journey
• Receives the most screen time and narrative emphasis compared to B and C storylines
• Example: In a medical drama, the A storyline might follow the lead doctor's efforts to save a patient's life while confronting personal issues

B storylines

• Secondary plots that complement and intersect with the A storyline, often involving supporting characters
• Explores subplots and character arcs that add depth and complexity to the overall narrative
• Receives less screen time than the A storyline but still plays a significant role in the episode or series
• Example: In a sitcom, the B storyline might follow a character's romantic relationship or career challenges

C storylines

• Tertiary plots that provide additional texture, comic relief, or minor character development
• Often shorter and more self-contained than A and B storylines, serving as a break from the main action
• Can introduce new characters, set up future plotlines, or tie up loose ends from previous episodes
• Example: In a crime procedural, the C storyline might involve a humorous subplot with the detectives' personal lives

Characteristics of A storylines

• The central narrative thread that propels the main conflict and character development forward
• Focuses on the protagonist's primary goal, challenges, and emotional journey throughout the episode or series
• Receives the most screen time, narrative emphasis, and resolution compared to B and C storylines

Main plot focus

• Revolves around the primary conflict or problem that the protagonist must overcome
• Drives the main action and decision-making throughout the episode or series
• Often ties into the central theme or message of the story
• Example: In a legal drama, the main plot might focus on a high-stakes court case that challenges the protagonist's values and skills

Protagonist's journey

• Follows the emotional and psychological development of the main character as they navigate the central conflict
• Includes key turning points, obstacles, and revelations that shape the protagonist's arc
• Often involves a transformation or growth in the character's perspective, relationships, or abilities
• Example: In a coming-of-age story, the protagonist's journey might involve learning to stand up for themselves and find their place in the world

Central conflict

• The primary obstacle, antagonist, or problem that the protagonist must confront and resolve
• Can be external (e.g., a physical threat or societal pressure) or internal (e.g., a moral dilemma or personal flaw)
• Raises the stakes and creates tension that propels the story forward
• Example: In a dystopian sci-fi series, the central conflict might be a rebellion against an oppressive government regime

Characteristics of B storylines

• Secondary plots that run parallel to and intersect with the A storyline, adding depth and complexity to the narrative
• Often involve supporting characters and their subplots, relationships, or personal challenges
• Receive less screen time and emphasis than the A storyline but still play a significant role in the overall story

Secondary plot focus

• Explores a subplot that complements or contrasts with the main plot, often involving a different set of characters or conflicts
• Can provide a different perspective on the central theme or message of the story
• May intersect with or influence the A storyline at key moments, creating a more intricate narrative web
• Example: In a political drama, a B storyline might follow a journalist's investigation into a scandal that ties into the main plot's power struggle

Supporting character development

• Focuses on the arcs and growth of characters who play a significant role in the story but are not the main protagonist
• Allows for a more well-rounded and diverse cast of characters with their own motivations, flaws, and relationships
• Can provide a mirror or foil for the protagonist's journey, highlighting different aspects of the central theme or conflict
• Example: In a superhero series, a B storyline might explore a sidekick's struggle to step out of the hero's shadow and find their own identity

Thematic connections to A storyline

• Reinforces or expands upon the central themes and messages of the main plot through parallel or contrasting narratives
• Can provide a different lens or context for understanding the protagonist's journey and the story's overall meaning
• May offer a resolution or commentary on the A storyline's conflicts or moral dilemmas
• Example: In a family drama, a B storyline about a sibling rivalry might echo the main plot's themes of loyalty, forgiveness, and the bonds of family

Characteristics of C storylines

• Tertiary plots that provide additional texture, levity, or minor character moments within an episode or series
• Often shorter, more self-contained, and less crucial to the main narrative than A and B storylines
• Can serve various functions, such as comic relief, world-building, or setting up future plotlines

Tertiary plot focus

• Explores minor subplots or character arcs that add depth and variety to the story world
• May involve peripheral characters or one-off situations that do not significantly impact the main plot
• Can provide a break or contrast from the intensity of the A and B storylines, allowing for a more diverse narrative pace
• Example: In a medical drama, a C storyline might follow a patient with an unusual or humorous ailment that challenges the doctors' problem-solving skills

Minor character arcs

• Focuses on the development or backstory of characters who play a small but memorable role in the overall narrative
• Can provide insight into the story world's social dynamics, history, or culture through the lens of a specific character's experience
• May set up potential future plotlines or character relationships that can be explored in later episodes or seasons
• Example: In a crime procedural, a C storyline might delve into a recurring character's personal life or past, hinting at a deeper mystery or trauma

Comic relief vs dramatic tension

• C storylines can serve to lighten the mood and provide humorous moments that balance out the more serious or dramatic elements of the A and B plots
• Alternatively, they can introduce a smaller-scale source of tension or conflict that adds to the overall sense of stakes or urgency in the episode
• The tone and function of C storylines can vary depending on the genre, style, and needs of the specific story being told
• Example: In a sitcom, a C storyline might involve a character's ridiculous attempts to impress a love interest, providing laughs and cringe-worthy moments

Interweaving storylines

• The art of balancing and connecting multiple plotlines within an episode or series to create a cohesive and engaging narrative
• Involves careful pacing, thematic resonance, and strategic intersection points between the A, B, and C storylines
• Requires consideration of each storyline's relative importance, screen time, and emotional impact on the overall story

Balancing screen time

• Allocating appropriate amounts of attention and development to each storyline based on its significance to the main plot and characters
• Ensuring that the A storyline receives the most focus and resolution, while B and C storylines are given enough space to enhance the narrative without overshadowing the main arc
• Finding a rhythm and structure that allows each storyline to progress and intersect in a way that feels natural and purposeful
• Example: In an ensemble cast drama, the writers might allocate more scenes to the A storyline's central conflict while weaving in shorter B and C storylines that spotlight different characters' perspectives

Pacing and progression

• Managing the timing and escalation of each storyline's key events, revelations, and turning points to create a sense of momentum and anticipation
• Ensuring that each storyline has its own mini-arc within the episode while also contributing to the larger narrative arc of the season or series
• Using cliffhangers, parallels, and callbacks to create a sense of continuity and stakes across all storylines
• Example: In a mystery series, the pacing might involve gradually uncovering clues and suspects in the A storyline while introducing red herrings or subplots in the B and C storylines

Thematic resonance

• Ensuring that each storyline explores or reflects the central themes, messages, or conflicts of the overall narrative in its own unique way
• Creating parallels, contrasts, or echoes between storylines that deepen the audience's understanding and emotional investment in the characters and their journeys
• Using motifs, symbols, or recurring elements to tie storylines together and create a sense of cohesion and meaning
• Example: In a coming-of-age series, the A, B, and C storylines might all explore different facets of growing up, such as first love, family dynamics, and self-discovery

Resolving storylines

• The process of bringing each storyline to a satisfying and meaningful conclusion within an episode or season
• Involves providing closure, consequences, or new questions for the characters and conflicts introduced in each plot thread
• Requires consideration of the different levels of resolution needed for A, B, and C storylines based on their relative importance and impact on the overall narrative

Climax of A storyline

• The highest point of tension, stakes, and emotional intensity in the main plot, where the protagonist faces their greatest challenge or choice
• Often involves a confrontation with the central antagonist, a critical revelation, or a major turning point in the character's arc
• Provides the most significant sense of resolution or change in the status quo, setting up new conflicts or directions for future episodes or seasons
• Example: In a superhero series, the A storyline climax might involve the hero's final battle with the villain, resulting in a city-wide catastrophe and the loss of a loved one

Resolution of B storyline

• The conclusion or consequences of the secondary plot threads, often intersecting with or reflecting the themes of the A storyline's resolution
• Provides a sense of closure or progress for the supporting characters' arcs and relationships while leaving room for future development
• Can offer a different perspective or commentary on the main plot's outcome, highlighting the complexity and nuance of the story's central conflicts
• Example: In a political drama, the resolution of a B storyline might involve a journalist exposing a scandal that forces the resignation of a key figure in the main plot's power struggle

Open-ended C storyline

• The tertiary plot threads may not always require a definitive conclusion within the episode, serving instead to set up future storylines or character moments
• Can provide a sense of ongoing life and change within the story world, hinting at new directions or challenges for the characters beyond the main plot's resolution
• May offer a final moment of levity, ambiguity, or curiosity that lingers with the audience and invites speculation or anticipation for future episodes
• Example: In a medical drama, a C storyline might end with a minor character receiving a mysterious diagnosis or job offer, planting the seeds for a larger plot in the next episode or season

Storylines in different genres

• The way A, B, and C storylines are structured, paced, and resolved can vary significantly depending on the genre and format of the television series
• Different genres have different conventions, expectations, and priorities when it comes to balancing character development, plot progression, and thematic exploration across multiple storylines
• Understanding how storylines function within specific genres can help writers craft more effective and engaging television pilots that resonate with their intended audience

Drama vs comedy

• In a drama series, A storylines often focus on high-stakes conflicts, intense emotions, and complex character arcs, while B and C storylines provide additional depth, nuance, and thematic resonance
• Comedies tend to prioritize humor, irony, and character-based jokes across all storylines, using A plots to establish the main situation or problem and B and C plots to explore different facets of the characters' personalities and relationships
• Example: In a family drama, the A storyline might follow a parent's struggle with addiction, while the B storyline explores a sibling rivalry and the C storyline adds moments of warmth and levity

Procedural vs serialized

• Procedural series, such as crime dramas or medical shows, often focus on self-contained episodic plots in the A storyline, with B and C storylines providing character development and season-long arcs
• Serialized series prioritize ongoing, interconnected storylines across all plot threads, using A storylines to drive the main conflict and B and C storylines to explore different aspects of the overarching mystery or theme
• Example: In a procedural legal drama, each episode's A storyline might focus on a different court case, while the B storyline follows a character's personal life and the C storyline adds humor or social commentary

Ensemble vs single protagonist

• Ensemble series, such as workplace comedies or sprawling dramas, often give equal weight to multiple A, B, and C storylines focusing on different characters' perspectives and conflicts
• Series with a single protagonist tend to prioritize that character's journey in the A storyline, using B and C storylines to provide supporting character development and thematic depth
• Example: In an ensemble sitcom, each episode might feature three equally important A, B, and C storylines following different characters' romantic misadventures or workplace shenanigans

Crafting effective storylines

• The process of planning, structuring, and executing compelling A, B, and C storylines that engage the audience and serve the overall goals of the television series
• Involves a combination of creative instincts, writing craft, and an understanding of the specific needs and expectations of the genre, format, and intended audience
• Requires ongoing refinement, revision, and adaptation based on feedback, production realities, and the evolving vision for the series as a whole

Outlining techniques

• Breaking down each episode or season into a clear, detailed outline that maps out the key events, turning points, and emotional beats of each storyline
• Using techniques such as index cards, flowcharts, or software to visualize the connections, parallels, and progression of multiple plot threads
• Collaborating with other writers, producers, and story editors to ensure that all storylines are cohesive, compelling, and true to the characters and themes of the series
• Example: A writer might use a color-coded outline to track the A, B, and C storylines across a season, ensuring that each plot thread has a clear arc and resolution

Character-driven vs plot-driven

• Character-driven storylines prioritize the internal conflicts, growth, and relationships of the characters as the main engine of the narrative, using external events to catalyze and complicate their personal journeys
• Plot-driven storylines focus on the external conflicts, mysteries, and obstacles that the characters must navigate, using their actions and reactions to propel the story forward
• Most effective storylines involve a balance of both character and plot, ensuring that the audience is invested in both the emotional stakes and the narrative twists and turns
• Example: In a character-driven drama, the A storyline might follow a protagonist's internal struggle with guilt, while the plot-driven B storyline involves a legal case that challenges their values

Planting and payoff

• The art of setting up narrative elements, character moments, or thematic ideas early in the storyline and then providing a satisfying resolution or revelation later on
• Involves careful foreshadowing, misdirection, and pacing to create a sense of anticipation, surprise, or inevitability for the audience
• Requires a keen understanding of the larger arc and themes of the series, ensuring that each setup and payoff feels organic, meaningful, and true to the characters and world
• Example: In a mystery series, the writers might plant clues and red herrings across all storylines, building up to a final revelation in the A storyline that recontextualizes earlier events in the B and C plots