Hooks, cliffhangers and pacing
Short-form storytelling basics. · 4 min read
The first ten seconds
Start in the middle of something: a secret, a threat, a surprise. Introduce characters through action, not explanation.
End every episode on a turn
A reveal, a decision, a door opening. Viewers continue to the next episode when they need to know what happens. Free opening episodes work best when the last free episode ends on your strongest turn.
Plan the whole season on one page
Write one sentence per episode. If two episodes have the same sentence, merge them. If one has two sentences, split it.