I've been watching a ton of Columbo lately. It's not always perfect, but it's probably some of the best and most consistent TV writing you can find. Every episode feels fresh, despite its established formula, and one reason for that is that its characters are usually interesting and unique across each story—and they often get some great introductions.Character intros sometimes fall by the wayside as we're writing, if we're not thinking visually or considering what a character's first appearance will tell the audience about them. It's a challenge. How can we convey, in a matter of seconds, as much as the audience needs to know to understand the character and who they are before the story gets rolling again?Since I'm on a Columbo kick, consider his first regular appearance in Episode 1, "Murder by the Book." When Steven Spielberg (yup) directed this episode in 1971, he created one of television's most brilliant character introductions, one that established the template for the entire series.The lieutenant appears behind a recently widowed character at a drinking fountain, almost out of thin air, and is soft-spoken and down-to-earth: "I'm just another cop." He's a little rumpled and awkward, too, and he escorts the other character home, where he cooks for her in her own kitchen. What a cutie.We recently checked out Brandon McNulty's video on strong character introductions, so let's pull his best tips and apply them. - YouTube www.youtube.com Establish an Emotional Connection You have about 30 seconds to make your audience care,...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - 2 days ago