Episode Length

P

Psychosis

New member
I wanted to create this thread in order to see which episode length format was the most popular with the users on this forum. Please keep in mind, however, that I created this thread with animated comedies in mind, as they are usually the ones that are divided up into smaller stories.

When you watch an episode of an animated program, do you prefer that the episode contains one twenty-two minute story, two eleven minute stories, or three seven minute stories? Also, what do you believe are the pros and cons of each episode length format?
 
If it's a comedy series, then two eleven minute stories are best. If it's an action series, then a full twenty-two minutes are the best. I prefer three seven minute stories if the cartoon is based on a series of theatrical or internet shorts (Looney Tunes, Pucca, etc.).
 
Hmm, that's actually a tough one.

For most cases, I like one episode for 22 minutes case. Mainly because I'm able to get into the story and full enjoy it. IE: South Park, Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends. I'm a plot-freak (Which is why I'm not the biggest fan of Family Guy).

At times, two 11-minute episodes can feel "rushed". The second you start getting into the episode, it ends. But there are shows that have managed to do that properly, IE: Invader ZIM instantly comes to mind.

I think three 7-minute episodes only worked with things like Tom & Jerry and Looney Tunes, mainly because they were more about enjoying the animation and artwork than taking the plot seriously. I don't know how much of "Tom chasing Jerry airplane-styled" I can watch if it were 22-minutes.
 
I think 22-minute stories work best for most TV animation, since it allows the characters to stretch out and develop a bit more. Shows like "The Simpsons", "Futurama", "King of the Hill" and "Family Guy" (in its heyday, at least) use this format very well. In the case of cartoons that are attempting to emulate the style of the theatrical era, like "Tiny Toon Adventures" or "Animaniacs", I generally find that three seven-minute stories work best.

It all depends on the story being told. If it needs the time to expand, then give it that time, by all means. Few things are worse than a story that's rushed or simplified just because it needed to fit a certain time requirement. "Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends" was guilty of this in the three two-story episodes they did, and they don't work nearly as well as the rest of the series does.
 
22 minutes are best if the show had continuaty. If it follows a story, and the results of an episode stays canon.

If it is a show like Billy and Mandy for example in which things automatic resesit back to the statous quo, than 11 minute or 7 minute episodes is fine.

I think 7 minutes should only be for shows in the pilot development and don't have their own series like cartoons from What A Cartoon show, Oh Yeah Cartoons, etc.

If you have your own series and your doing a non cintinuaty comedy show, you should be able to make 11 minute episodes.
 
It actually depends on what the particular story calls for. Generally, most comedy cartoons follow the 2 11-minute shorts format, while most action shows offer 1 22-minute installment.

I've seen examples of some comedy shows which have a single half-hour episode per show, although many of the episodes are 10-minute plots needlessly dragged out to 22 minutes. Lloyd in Space is a prime example of that.

Myself, I prefer 10 minute shorts on the whole, since I have a short attention span. ;)
 
It depends on what type of plot you're dealing with and how big a cast you have. I believe back in the day, ABC actually mandated their shows to have 7-11-22 minute stories. There was something on the Sonic SATAM set about ABC wanting some softer, not so dark 11 minute stories, thus pushing Tail's character growth off the show completely in the 2nd season.

But an action cartoon could theoretically pull off an 11 minute minute adventure if done right. Superfriends: The Legendary Superpowers Show and Superpowers Team: Galactic Guardians are prime examples of pulling off shorter adventures in an action show.
 
I think that 22-minute stories are best for action or "adult" shows, but there are some exceptions. And 11-minute is best for "kids" comedies.
 
Yeah...as I watch Tom & Jerry Tales, I actually find myself liking the three seven-minute stories quite a bit. But, you're right, it probably only works with shows that have a large emphasis on slapstick comedy.
 
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