In scripted video, everything starts with story structure. Just like there are multiple ways to build a house or car, there are multiple ways to build a story. Most films and television series use a version of the “hero’s journey” to create their story structure; what makes an artist unique is how they put their own spin on it.
At GBA, we harness a similar type of storytelling to have a deep impact on our viewers and inspire action through a commitment to clients and creative excellence. As a video production agency, it is a special opportunity to draw upon our collective human experiences and expertise in the film industry, digital media, and marketing, to create rich story arcs that retain viewers’ attention and evoke emotional responses.
What We’re Watching and Why You Like It is our new blog series where we take our favorite shows and bring in our storytelling expertise as a multi-award winning video production agency to break down the writer’s approach to their work. These breakdowns serve as an opportunity to dissect different trends in the industry and learn how they interact within scripted video.
In this edition we’re tackling America’s new favorite work-place comedy: Abbott Elementary.
Abbott Elementary (streaming on ABC and Hulu) follows Janine Teagues, a young dreamer turned 2nd grade teacher, as she fights to make a difference in the lives of her students and co-workers. The series takes an optimistic yet realistic look at our education system and the brave women and men that keep it moving. Every week Janine stares directly into the face of her challenges and earnestly tries to overcome them. While it’s never a swift victory, Janine learns along the way that change rarely looks the way we imagine it, but it’s worth pursuing nonetheless..
Let’s look at a breakdown of Season One – Episode Two where we examine the story structure of this scripted video series.
Episode Example: Season 1 Episode 2 “Light Bulb”
Beat One: Cold Open
Definition: Each episode begins on an average day in the life of our teachers. We’re thrown into their world and get a glimpse of how they manage to keep things light and funny.
Episode Example: The staff gather round to watch the hottest morning news show in Philadelphia on the hottest day of the year.
Beat Two: There is a problem and Janine must solve it!
Definition: Janine discovers a flaw or shortcoming at the school. When met with either indifference or deterrence, she decides to strike out on her own and solve the issue.
Episode Example: Frustrated with people in her life putting things off, she decides to try and fix a broken light bulb herself.
Beat Three: Introduction of the B-story.
Definition: Our central plot, containing our main protagonist, is known as our A-story. Our B-story usually takes place between two or more supporting characters and tends to embody a theme similar to the lesson being taught in the A-story.
Episode Example: Gregory is uncomfortable with confronting a parent who is routinely bringing their child in late.
Beat Four: Her attempt to fix things only makes it worse.
Definition: The consequences Janine is warned of come true upon her first attempt to improve the situation.
Episode Example: Trying to fix the light herself, Janine manages to cause a partial power outage in the school.
Beat Five: B-story character attempts to make a change or gain a skill.
Definition: Supporting characters in the B-story make their first attempts at solving their own problems. This almost always requires them to make a small change or gain a new skill.
Episode Example: After enlisting Barbara’s help, Gregory is tricked into being in the same nail shop as the parent he’s trying to avoid. This forces him to finally speak up.
Beat Six: Janine is given counsel she neglects to listen to.
Definition: Once again, Janine is warned about the consequences of trying to make things better and she ignores them. Here we see her bright idealism in stark contrast to the realities of her world.
Episode Example: Janine ignores her colleagues and tries to fix the lights again, managing to completely shut down the building’s power, especially the AC unit.
Beat Seven: B-Story character tests their new skill or change.
Definition: Unlike our main protagonist, the characters in the b-story tend to successfully get the thing they desire while learning a lesson along the way.
Episode Example: Gregory’s talk with the parent works and she begins to bring her son to school on time.
Beat Eight: She has a reckoning with herself and accepts her limitations while changing what she can.
Definition: Unable to get exactly what she wanted, Janine pivots her focus to the little things she can control by understanding that progress is a slow burning process.
Episode Example: Janine is unsuccessful at fixing the lights but learns that being a teacher is a marathon, not a sprint, and sometimes you have to accept things as they are to keep from burning out. Both her and Greg learn the power of allowing themselves to be uncomfortable.
Our Take:
A writer’s approach to the “Hero’s Journey” speaks volumes to the philosophy of the show. Typically, our protagonist grapples with a challenge, learns a lesson, and transforms into a new being. With Brunson’s story structure, we see a quixotic teacher up against the perils of the inner city education system. Through Janine’s trials and tribulations we anticipate the long road ahead for providing any meaningful changes in the school system. Nonetheless, this show pleads with us to never give up because even the smallest changes can make the biggest differences in the lives of Janine’s students and colleagues.
Overarchingly, Quinta Brunson’s debut effort as a Show Creator in this scripted video series is drenched in her quirky semi-serious style. She brings characters to life with narrative arcs that show us the powers and limitations of teachers within our current system. Over the course of 22 minutes we are shown the pain and problems of this system, but more than anything we’re given a reason to hope. We hope, despite the challenges, because teachers like Janine Teagues do exist.
As the credits come to a close, what do you think? Is Abbott Elementary a fresh spin on the hero’s journey, or is it just another primetime sit-com that’s here today and gone tomorrow? Let us know your thoughts on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter and tell us which writer, creator, or show you’d like us to cover next! We’ll see you here next edition, and in the meantime just keep creating.