Do you prefer cartoons with large casts, or ones with smaller casts? I prefer large casts, but only if all the characters characteristics are defined. That way, you have more opportunities for storytelling, since you can have a story focus on a supporting cast member instead of just relying on the main cast over and over again.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Large Casts vs Small Casts, what do you prefer?
- Thread starter m_one
- Start date
pinkpanther09
New member
Either way is fine. Justice League Unlimited and The Simpsons were great with many characters. Pinky and the Brain and Dexter's Lab didn't need any more than their rather small casts. It's a case by case basis.
Miss_t1983
New member
Indeed, as always. Although I'm more inclined to shows with large casts.
JoeBobWilly
New member
I generally enjoy a wide variety of characters, and so I'd probably say large as opposed to small. However, it's definitely a lot harder to make all the characters interesting and unique when dealing with large casts-- often, some of the characters will be superfluous and unnecessary.
I find it much easier to write for a smaller cast, but a large cast can be more rewarding in the long run, especially if you don't have to feature all the characters all the time.
EDIT:
Just to clarify, when I say I prefer large casts, I mean shows with more then maybe 6 characters. I don't mean to say that I prefer shows like the Simpsons where they have dozens of minor characters. Although they did handle that really well in the classic episodes.
I find it much easier to write for a smaller cast, but a large cast can be more rewarding in the long run, especially if you don't have to feature all the characters all the time.
EDIT:
Just to clarify, when I say I prefer large casts, I mean shows with more then maybe 6 characters. I don't mean to say that I prefer shows like the Simpsons where they have dozens of minor characters. Although they did handle that really well in the classic episodes.
dani the great
New member
For me, it depends on what the show in question calls for, although I generally tend to favor small casts, because that's less characters for me to have to keep track of.
faith flowers
New member
Bascially depends on the show. You could have a town of hundreds like in The Simpsons or a neighborhood of 12 like in Ed, Edd, n' Eddy and be able to entertain either way.
Inspired BIke
New member
Either way is fine with me. But shows with large cast usually run the risk of having some characters breakout leaving others to be underused.
Heather[TBTMK]
New member
Ren and Stimpy's first couple of seasons are probably the best example of a "small cast" show done right.
You have only two central characters, a few recurring characters (Powdered Toast Man, Mr. Horse, The Pipes, George Liquor, et al.) who appear sporadically and the occasional one-shots (Sven Hoek, the Lout Brothers, et al.). Hell, there were several episodes without any major "third-wheel" characters, like Stimpy's Invention and Nurse Stimpy.
Yet the show carried through, largely becuase Ren and Stimpy (in the Spumco and early Games days, anyway) were strong enough characters that they could carry their show almost all by themselves.
You have only two central characters, a few recurring characters (Powdered Toast Man, Mr. Horse, The Pipes, George Liquor, et al.) who appear sporadically and the occasional one-shots (Sven Hoek, the Lout Brothers, et al.). Hell, there were several episodes without any major "third-wheel" characters, like Stimpy's Invention and Nurse Stimpy.
Yet the show carried through, largely becuase Ren and Stimpy (in the Spumco and early Games days, anyway) were strong enough characters that they could carry their show almost all by themselves.