I do not usually watch serials. Now that I am home most of the time (I do go for classes though, don’t brand me jobless already :P) and afternoon is my ‘free-time’ and I watch a few Indian Mega serials to pass my time without taking a nap.
I observed in many a serials, that like economists, serial directors also make a few fundamental assumptions. These assumptions or rules you can say, are downright hilarious and make you feel like a Total Idiot.
Well, I do not really know about the English Serials but for Indian (North Indian/ South Indian) serials, here are the guidelines for any prospective serial director. 😛
Rule 1 :  The Audience.
- They are a big bunch of fools. They would trust even if you ask a serial actor to do Jackie Chan stunts.
- They are extremely patient as well as jobless.
- THe audience lack common sense.
- Refer to the above.
Rule 2: The Richie-Rich family.
The stories are invariably based on Rich Big Business Magnets and their families. The irony being, the Men in the Joint Family Business would be present home all the time. And yes, You assume that they have work every time they sit with an open laptop that is not switched on or is probably in the screensaver mode.
Rule 3: Reactions Ahoy!
The Cardinal Rule is – For any dialogue or for any expression of laughter, shock, happiness etc, a minimum of 4 angle shots per person ought to be taken before going on to the next person’s reaction. Until then the other person waits to react.
Rule 4: ‘Culture’ & ‘Practices of the Family’
Everyday they (the joint family) have some pooja or some function coming up for no rhyme or reason. If the director has to pass time, or show some sweets and gift on screen, the family will have a Function or Pooja happening.
Else if the director cannot find a reason to create problems, he uses the ‘practices of the family’ as a reason to bring in something in the story. Oops, the daughter-in-law did not adhere to her family’s practices. Jail Her I say!
Rule 5: How about depicting ‘official life’ ?
Use the following terms:
- Office
- Meeting
- Secretary
- Client
- Targets
- Project
- Presentation
- Report
- Files
- HR
- Profits
And there you are! Abracadabra! You have created the required official atmosphere! 😛 The audience will now believe that they have a huge business now in place to support the non-stop flow of funds.
Rule 6: Everyone is always well dressed at any time of the day 😀
I hardly dress up when I’m home. My hair is almost always tied up in a bun.  But those in serials would be so well dressed with matching jewels and accessories even midnight. The best part is they would dress up well and then sit and cry! 😀
Rule 7: Promos. Everyone believes them.
Oh Yea ! Everyone gets carried away by promos. All of them go curious. So mix up dialogues and show them in the promos and stir up the curiosity of the audience.
Rule 8: The Standard video bits.
This rule states that you need to show the house from the exterior to show it is day or night. This is a standard piece of video that you insert every time the need arises.
Rule 9:  The requirement of Ms.Innocent, the Ms.Villain and Mr.Survivor.
Yes, one Lady is the most humblest and most innocent being. She probably is an avatar of Florence Nightingale or Mother Teresa. She would show the other side of  her cheeks when one side is slapped. So calm, loving and senselessly innocent. Maybe this person almost always has only 5 senses. Even the obvious will not reach her dumb head.
The other is the Ms.Villain. She is the most daring woman you would ever come across. She is equally influential and would even hide a crime in minutes. And her target for no reason is Ms.Innocent. Phew! Arent you tired already? I am! 
Of course If Ms.Innocent doesn’t have the brains to think, and Ms.Villain wont stop her hooliganism, there should come a Mr.Saviour right? So there  always comes that white unicorn who was sent to save Ms.Innocent.
Rule 10: Cooking.
If you are watching a South Indian serial, then even churning buttermilk or making a dosa is always spoken high of. Its a himalayan task achieved.
In A North Indian serial on the other hand if you don’t know something as basic as making jalebis, you aren’t fit to be a woman.
Trust me, watching these serials may be an utter waste of time. But these are really hilarious when you look at it from the perspective of these rules. 😛 See you guys with another post soon! 😀
OfWishesNWhines 