As opposed to a movie? It seems very difficult, IMHO. You essentially have 8 to 9 hours to tell your story but you have to sustain the audience's attention to keep on coming back. I appreciate a well-directed and written drama more than a film of the same caliber. I'm not saying that all dramas > films, but holding all things constant, it takes more to sustain my attention through the 10-11 episodes, than just the 2-3 hr sitting for a film. My hats off to the people who make these things. It's amazing.

I agree. I am currently trying to write a script myself. I knew it wasn't going to be easy, and it's taking me a long time to compile enough ideas to make the story run smooth and like you said, keep the attention of the audience for 11 or so episodes. I respect Japanese dramas a lot because of the attention paid to detail; you can really tell the difference if you compare it to dramas from other asian countries. They give the characters solid lines to say, and rarely do you see dialogue that's out of place or awkward. Also, having watched a few dozen Japanese dramas, i have rarely seen one where the story doesn't connect or tie in nicely. I guess I really appreciate J dramas because I have seen too many dramas made by other asian countries to realize and appreciate the difference.

I agree. I am currently trying to write a script myself. I knew it wasn't going to be easy, and it's taking me a long time to compile enough ideas to make the story run smooth and like you said, keep the attention of the audience for 11 or so episodes. I respect Japanese dramas a lot because of the attention paid to detail; you can really tell the difference if you compare it to dramas from other asian countries. They give the characters solid lines to say, and rarely do you see dialogue that's out of place or awkward. Also, having watched a few dozen Japanese dramas, i have rarely seen one where the story doesn't connect or tie in nicely. I guess I really appreciate J dramas because I have seen too many dramas made by other asian countries to realize and appreciate the difference.

i imagine it gets harder as the years go by...since more and more ideas are used up. the writers have to keep thinking of brand new fresh ideas that aren't stale. i mean, you can only make so much dramas about a girl or boy with a terminal illness....though, i guess a lot of it lies in how you can tell the story....

to write A GOOD drama?... well considering that everyone goes and reverts back to 'beautiful life' and 'GTO' as the best drama ever!!! it must be damn hard to writte a good one then.... (nothing againts those dramas... i like them )

on a side note: the diff between the way dramas here and in japan are made... is that for US dramas... a team of writters work on them.. (harvard graduates to boot) and they pump same betrayal eps. after betrayal eps... were as in japan as in anime and manga) one person alone writtes the script, and story, then other ppl help to make it so (sometimes they work in groups to create a story. but rarely... i think that happens more in V-games....)

American Drama's are repetitive and predictable. You'll never see an American Drama about high school boys synchronized swimming team. I beleive it's harder than movies since J Drama's are series and such everything has always have to be new and if you mess up in one episode then sometimes they'd rather not watch it anymore.

I would love to make a script for a J Drama, but it's so hard to think of a good fresh idea after watching so many A Drama's. I don't want to write about a woman who is terminally ill and falls in love with this one guy who is going out with another woman, but decides to break up with the woman and go out with the terminally ill girl.. and blar blar blar

yup its reallllly hard and takes alot of patience..but i think it could be easy if u kno how ur audience are..or most of ur audience!

Kage wrote:

I would love to make a script for a J Drama, but it's so hard to think of a good fresh idea after watching so many A Drama's. I don't want to write about a woman who is terminally ill and falls in love with this one guy who is going out with another woman, but decides to break up with the woman and go out with the terminally ill girl.. and blar blar blar

Sounds like Koibumi

Kage wrote:

American Drama's are repetitive and predictable. You'll never see an American Drama about high school boys synchronized swimming team.

i agree 100%.... the thing is taht american dramas are all about some rich gazillionares... and have money up the wazoo... and they do nothing but just backstab and hate eachother.... i mean i can't relate to that sh!t...... how in world do so manny poor house wifes watch these things?!?

originality is the key. american tv shows are going down the drain with the networks just concerned with the bottom line. Jdoramas were a refreshing change with a much wider scope of ideas and stories to tell (altho there do seem to be way too many school dramas these days)
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Judging by the crap that's been coming out lately, it must be damn near impossible!!!

writing a good storyline is really difficult~
i'm currently trying to come up with a short film :| for the pocket film festival.
anyone doing that too?
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gaijinmark wrote:

Judging by the crap that's been coming out lately, it must be damn near impossible!!!

Maybe it has something to do with the summer heat... Autumn should bring in a better crop...