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Narrative TV and Feature Films: Kissing Cousins
While news, sports, and reality television differ greatly from feature films, narrative television programs – scripted comedies and dramas – are really much closer in form and process to feature films than to their TV brethren. Just like feature films, narrative TV shows use writers, directors, producers, cinematographers, editors, and other on-set production personnel.

In fact, most working professionals cross back and forth between jobs on feature films and jobs on television projects. Superstar action film producer Jerry Bruckheimer is also executive producer of the hugely successful CSI TV series franchise. Aaron Sorkin created the acclaimed TV series The West Wing, but he also wrote the feature films A Few Good Men and The American President. And the roster of high profile talent who got their start in television includes Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard, Paul Haggis, Sidney Lumet, James L. Brooks, Garry Marshall, Rob Reiner, and dozens of other A-list writers, producers and directors.

So how is episodic TV different from storytelling in feature films? In episodic TV, the storylines are ongoing, which allows for a deeper exploration of character and situation. Where a feature film often takes years or even decades to go from idea to screen, a typical episode of a show like House or 30 Rock can travel the distance from idea to broadcast into millions of homes in just months (or even weeks).

Where the jobs are
But the biggest difference between TV and feature films is this: TV IS WHERE THE JOBS ARE. A recent study by the Writers Guild of America revealed that there are twice as many jobs for writers in TV as there are in feature films. For other job categories – directors, cinematographers, editors and so on – the gap is even more dramatic. You are far more likely to get your first shot at a high end creative position—writer, director or cinematographer—in episodic television than in feature films.

Dodge College students who study narrative television will graduate with all the skills necessary to work in either feature films or episodic TV.

Are you ready for prime time?