An anthology series is a radio, TV, film or video game series that presents a different story and different characters in each episode, season, segment or short. In the history of TV, live anthology dramas were especially popular during the 'golden age of television in the 1950's with series such as, The United States Steel Tour and The Philco television Playhouse.
Conventions:
Theme or Concept:
Identify a unifying theme or concept that ties together each instalment. Whether it's a genre (e.g., horror as in "The Twilight Zone") or a more abstract theme (e.g., technology's impact on society as in "Black Mirror"), having a strong central theme will give your anthology coherence.
Diverse Voices:
Given that each episode or instalment will be its own unique story, it's a chance to bring in different writers, directors, and actors for each. This diversity can provide a richness of perspectives, styles, and voices.
Consistent Tone:
Despite varying stories and possibly varying creators, maintain a consistent tone throughout. This could be achieved through similar pacing, mood, visual aesthetics, or musical choices.
Character Development:
Since each story will be relatively short, characters need to be quickly and effectively established. Dive into the heart of the characters' motivations and conflicts to immediately draw the audience in.
Self-Contained Stories:
Each instalment should be satisfying on its own. While some anthologies might have subtle connections or Easter eggs between episodes, each episode should have a clear beginning, middle, and end.
Varied Storytelling:
One of the joys of an anthology series is the opportunity to experiment. Consider varying the structure, setting, time period, or narrative style from one episode to the next.
Connection to Contemporary Issues:
Many successful anthology series resonate because they tap into current societal fears, hopes, or dilemmas. Think about the larger themes or questions you want to explore and how they relate to the world today.
Satisfying Endings:
Given the standalone nature of each instalment, it's important to provide resolutions that feel both unexpected and earned.
UK Anthology Dramas
Some examples of new, and old, UK anthology dramas consist of : Inside No. 9, the old but hilarious Ripping Yarns and Twisted Tales.
Anthology dramas used to be one of British television’s mainstays. Television was predominantly a multi-camera affair in the postwar years (with some exceptions shot on 16mm film), and various programme formats leaned towards a more theatrical approach, favouring the feel of weekly live performances. One of the most intriguing, and largely forgotten, of these anthology slots was the 30-minute drama; a format whose restrictive running time and low budget forced their cast and crew to innovate.
In series such as Thirty-Minute Theatre (1965-73), Half Hour Story (1967) and Second City Firsts (1973), many cheaper, small-scale dramas were given over to new writers, directors and performers, not only fermenting several generations’ worth of creative talent but also giving new, radical drama a platform that seems almost incomprehensible in today’s climate of boardroom television commissioning.
The anthology TV series is making a comeback. In the days of The Twilight Zone, which originally ran from 1959-1964, these scattergun shows were all the rage. However, when the bankable draw of a serial drama came to the fore, the stand-alone episode format of an anthology show fell by the wayside. Now, however, the success of shows like Inside No. 9, Love, Death & Robots, Roar, Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities and many more are ensuring that the format is making a comeback.
Comments