When I'm watching or reading a TV pilot, I want to feel that jolt of electricity that makes me beg for more episodes. If you're a writer or director or just a fan, pilot episodes function as an introduction to a world and its characters. They should be indicative of what the series looks like and get people excited about where the show can go. We call this having "legs." We split pilots into two categories: dramas, which are usually an hour long, and comedies, which are usually 30 minutes. Today, I want to go over the ten best TV drama pilots of all time and talk about what makes them special. I'll include a few facts about them as well in case you wanted some trivia to tell people at cocktail parties. Let's dive in. 1. Breaking Bad — "Pilot" (2008)Writer & Director: Vince GilliganCast: Bryan Cranston, Anna Gunn, Aaron Paul, Dean Norris, Betsy BrandtThe Numbers: The pilot drew 1.41 million viewers, with a series episode budget of around $3 million.I think most people have this ranked number one, and I am another one of those basic people who can't deny how exciting and special this show was and still remains today. If you want to study TV writing, read the Breaking Bad pilot. From the iconic cold open—a frantic Walter White in his underwear driving an RV—to the heartbreaking "you've got to.." speech he records for his family, the pilot is a perfect, self-contained tragedy that opened up...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Monday, 10 November