TV Series Bible is a reference document for writers. It generally includes details about the characters, the general plot of the story and other related elements. In a TV series, which generally continues for a long period, there might be multiple writers. The new writes, refer to the bible to understand the characters in the story and the vision of the previous writer. Hence, the continuity with the previous episodes can be maintained.

In this tip, we will guide the you on how to write a TV series bible.

Step 1:

The concept of the TV series must be explained in about two paragraphs. The most important thing is to mention the main vision behind the series in a short way. The main characters should only be mentioned, and they need not be described. If the story description requires the characterís trait to be mentioned, only in that case, a simple adjective could serve the purpose.

The explanation need not be definitive and produce a resolution. A TV series is generally goes on for a long time. For a cartoon series, it is just the characters and the way they behave and interact that makes episodes. There is no progressiveness in the stories as such. However, certain cartoon series are animated representations of a real story and may have continuity in it. But the amount of continuity is more or less present in all cartoon series.

In case of documentaries, the details of the plot ca not be very vague, but according to the normal convention of documentary script writing, the second script or the editing script is often not decided at the time of writing of the bible. Hence, the latter part of the script happens to be vague due to the uncertainty in the actual content of the script.

The reality shows are a different story altogether. The explanation cannot be exact because its type. Reality shows grow on uncertainties and the plot is decided as things roll on. Hence, this kind of TV series has the greatest amount of vagueness in the introduction part of the bible.

The last type that is an important part of the TV series is entertainment shows, which may vary on genres. The concept of such series is that they are packaged in seasons containing 20 episodes on an average. The bible is written during the first season itself. Although changes are made, and more information is added, the initial introduction remains the same in most cases. Therefore, there is nothing specific about the plot and rather gives a vague idea about the plot.

Step 2:

The location where the series takes place must be mentioned in details. Generally, he success of a series is dependent on the location where it is being shot. It may be an outdoor location, or could be an artificial set in the studios. However, the bible must consist of each and every location where the shots have been taken. The significance of choosing a particular location for a scene must also be noted down in the bible.

In the most likely case, a cartoon series has an imaginary environment of its own. Thus the bible must contain exact details of how things work in the imaginary world where the cartoon series is to be placed. Generally there is a tendency for everything to be analogous to the real world but function differently. Therefore, some basic rules must be set while keeping scope for further additions.
Location description for documentaries is of pivotal importance. Often documentaries are based on historical legends, or geographical areas and many more things that deserve public interest. Generally, location plays a huge role as it brings the sense of authentication and reality in the show. The significance of the location must be maintained in the bible properly.

Reality and entertainment shows are generally based on sets. However certain shows might require outdoor locations, especially the action reality shows. In case of studio location, it is important that the exact details of sets must be logged into the bible, so that in case, the series is resumed after years, the set can be recreated exactly. On the other hand, reality shows on studios have the liberty of changing locations and sets depending upon its popularity and TRP. However, it is important to be having complete record of the set description.

Step 3

The heart and soul of a TV series is the characters. Due to the long tenures of a TV series, the episodes and the action might be of temporary relevance, but if the viewers can relate to the characters, then the series will automatically be a success. However, the characters need to be explained in the bible in the best-detailed fashion.

Cartoon series generally have imaginary characters. Even if the characters are inspired from real life characters, they have a certain amount of cartoons in them. Each cartoon character must be defined very minutely, describing each and every characteristic of them. The best idea to do that is by providing analogy to human behavior. It should be mentioned how the characters react to the activities of the imaginary world in which the series is going to take place.

Documentaries have well-researched characters. If it is based on a personality, there is very little one can add to the character except for what the scriptwriter has researched. However every storyteller has a own way of portraying a character and hence, it may be such that some aspects of the character are highlighted to bring out a particular shade of the character. Hence, it is important to document all these so that in case the series is resumed after a long time, the character can be portrayed in the same way.

In case of reality shows, there isnít much to document about characters. However, one can be definitive about the character portrayal of the anchor or the judges and how to react to different situations that may arise during the show. On the other hand, entertainment shows are fully dependent on the characters. Generally, successful series roll over for seasons, and the main reason being the fact that the people are being able to relate with the characters perfectly. Characters in such series need to be etched out in such a way that it is compatible with the taste and culture of the target audience.

Step 4:

Now that the characters are in place, one needs to describe some events related to the series. It is a progressive section, with events being added as the show progresses. However it is a good practice to describe the events for a few future episodes in one go. However, one must be careful to maintain the continuity without getting too typecast with the way things work.

In cartoon series, events revolve around the characters. In most cases, the environment throws up challenges to the character, and then it is how the protagonist dwell with the challenge makes the episode story. Each episode is more or less conclusive in itself, but however there may be rolling series too. Therefore it is important to make note of challenges that the characters will face every week.

The documentary series bible must contain the episode description of the first few episodes, preferably the first script where the scriptwriterís draft is more or less the final draft with trifle editing. Documentaries are very definitive, and thus the plan for future episodes becomes an absolute necessity for scriptwriters.

It is hard to describe how the reality series is going to take place in the next few episodes. However, one can document the way things are scheduled to happen, without including the minutest details. In case of entertainment shows, it is important that the main conflicts and challenges faced by the characters should be explained episode wise. This is nothing much except for the challenge that arises, and how the main characters deal with them.

Step 5:

A few sample stories must be included to give a real feeling of the series in the bible. It should be contained in paragraphs and it is a good idea to include some dialogues in the story. In case the scriptwriter for the series changes, he/she would be able to understand the way the series was normally narrated previously.

Cartoon series story description should seem to be fun, but is rather hard trying to keep all ends tight in an imaginary world. However, certain stories should be mentioned in the bible within a paragraph or two. Documentaries are supposed to be very strict in terms of variations, and hence the stories are thought off pretty early. It is important to retain the style of storytelling to make the documentary a success. Hence only a written story description can provide you with such reference in the future. Reality shows can only have the planned episodes. It might be the case that the events may not work out the way they happen, and that is why nothing very definite is mentioned in the show description. Finally, for an entertainment show, stories are the way the series progressed. Hence attaching a story or two would not be very difficult.

Make sure you register with the Writers’ Guild.

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