The Changing Paradigm of Storytelling in Contemporary Horror Series
Abstract
Since the broadcast of the series The Sopranos (1999–2007), a new stage in the history of cinematography can be observed, popularly known as the “golden age of television.” Its main feature is a narratively complex series. The authors of these works use new stylistic means and experiment with narrative patterns that have been established since the beginning of television. The author of the presented article deals with the subject of horror series, which are precisely the production of narrative complexes. Based on the example of selected seasons of popular American horror series: Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003), The Walking Dead (2010–), American Horror Story (2011–) and Channel Zero (2016–2018) and the American-English series Penny Dreadful (2014–2016), the issue of changes in the narrative strategies of these series is discussed. The answers to the following questions were sought: have contemporary horror series undergone a similar metamorphosis as quality dramas, and what does this change involve? Are there postmodern collages and distortions in the temporal layer of narrative lines? Do the authors weave innovative solutions, following the thought of Russian formalists, into narrative structures? Is it finally possible to talk about a new type of horror series, or are these only duplicated patterns that previously appeared in horror series?
Keywords:
contemporary drama series, narrative complexity, postmodernism, quality series, quality televisionReferences
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Filmografia
Seriale telewizyjne
American Horror Story. 2011–. Twórcy: Ryan Murphy i Brad Falchuk. Horror, thriller, dramat, slasher. USA: 20th Century Fox Television i in.
Breaking Bad. 2008–2013. Twórca: Vince Gilligan. Kryminalny, dramat, czarna komedia, thriller. USA: High Bridge Entertainment i in.
Buffy, postrach wampirów (Buffy the Vampire Slayer). 1997–2003. Twórca: Joss Whedon. Horror, komedia fantasy. USA: 20th Century Fox i in.
Channel Zero. 2016–2018. Twórca: Nick Antosca. Horror, thriller, dramat fantasy. USA: Universal Cable Production i in.
Czysta krew (True Blood). 2008–2014. Twórca: Alan Ball. Horror, dramat, dark fantasy. USA: Your Face Goes Here Entertainment i HBO Entertainment.
Dom grozy (Penny Dreadful). 2014–2016. Twórca: John Logan. Horror, thriller, dramat, darkfantasy. USA – Wielka Brytania: Desert Wolf Productions i in.
Lights Out. 1946–1952. Reż. Fred Coe. Horror, thriller. USA: Admiral Corporation i in.
Mad Men. 2007–2015. Twórca: Matthew Weiner. Dramat. USA: American Movie Classics i in.
Nie z tego świata (Supernatural). 2005–2020. Twórca: Eric Kripke. Dramat, horror, thriller, darkfantasy, urban fantasy. USA: Warner Bros. Television i in.
Opowieści z ciemnej strony (Tales from the Darkside). 1983–1988. Reż. George A. Romero. Horror, fantasy. USA: Laurel Entertainment Inc. i in.
Opowieści z krypty (Tales from the Crypt). 1989–1996. Twórcy: William Gaines i Steven Dodd. Horror, czarna komedia, dark fantasy. USA: Tales from the Crypt Holdings i HBO.
Posterunek przy Hill Street (Hill Street Blues). 1981–1987. Twórcy: Steven Bochco i Michael Post. Dramat kryminalny, policyjny. USA: MTM Enterprises.
Prawo ulicy (The Wire). 2002–2008. Twórca: David Simon. Kryminalny, dramat. USA: Blown Deadline Productions i HBO Entertainment.
Rodzina Soprano (The Sopranos). 1999–2007. Twórca: David Chase. Kryminalny, dramat. USA: HBO Entertainment.
St. Elsewhere. 1982–1988. Twórcy: Joshua Brand i John Falsey. Dramat medyczny. USA: MTM Enterprises.
Stranger Things. 2016–. Twórcy: Matt i Ross Dufferowie. Horror, science fiction, dramat. USA: 21 Laps Entertainment i Monkey Massacre.
Strefa mroku (The Twilight Zone). 1959–1964, 1985–1989, 2002–2003, 2019–). Twórcy: Rod Serling i in. Horror, science fiction, fantasy, dystopia, thriller psychologiczny, czarna komedia. USA: CBS Productions i in.
Tales of Tomorrow. 1951–1953. Twórcy: Mel Goldberg i Mann Rubin. Science fiction, dramat, horror, thriller. USA: George F. Foley.
Żywe trupy (The Walking Dead). 2010–. Twórcy: Frank Darabont i Robert Kirkman. Horror, dramat, zombie apokalipsa. USA: American Movie Classics, Idiot Box Productions i in.
