When creating a television series, the pilot episode is the foundation of the entire show. It introduces characters, sets up tone, theme, and genre, and provides a glimpse of the world the audience is about to enter.
The pilot becomes even more critical for a comedy-horror series like Hysteria! (2024) because it has to balance humor with horror elements while establishing a unique narrative voice. So, what can we learn as writers? Let's dive in!
Still from 'Hysteria!'
Background
The 2024 Hysteria! pilot is a skillfully crafted episode that sets the tone for a series steeped in the tension and thrill of the 1980s “Satanic Panic.” As writers on Hysteria! unfold the storyline, they expertly weave elements of teenage rebellion, supernatural themes, and societal paranoia, creating a foundation that captures the viewers' imagination.
The pilot episode explores how an innocent high school band’s embrace of occult imagery as part of their "Satanic" identity spirals out of control, implicating them in a local teen’s disappearance and creating a supernatural frenzy in their town.
Tone and Atmosphere
The show successfully captures the 1980s fear of the occult, a time when rumors of cults and satanic rituals dominated the public’s imagination. It establishes a sense of nostalgia and dread in the setting, anchoring the show’s premise in real social anxieties from that period.
Atmosphere is often linked to darkness, whether in tone or visuals. You rarely hear someone describe a comedy as having a “great atmosphere.”
When people talk about "atmosphere," they often refer to a mix of darkness, striking or highly composed images, precise movement, moments of silence or stillness, and minimal dialogue or sound.
The most compelling atmospheres are created by combining wildly different elements. With Hysteria!—the entire storyline and cinematography that goes with it creates the perfect horror-comedy combo. It makes you think, whoa, anything could happen here. It gives you a feeling that’s hard to define because it’s unfamiliar. That’s the best kind of atmosphere, in my opinion.
Character Development
Hysteria! centers on a group of teenage misfits, each navigating their struggles while becoming central figures in the town's Satanic Panic. The main characters are members of a local heavy metal band who find themselves the accidental villains of the town's Hysteria.
TV series often allow more time for character development, which is closely related to—but not the same as—better character development. Leaving certain things ambiguous can enhance entertainment value, something shorter films often accomplish more easily than extended TV seasons.
More time doesn’t necessarily mean better characters and Hysteria! Understands that.
Because of their episodic format, TV shows frequently end on twists or cliffhangers, making them more plot-driven than many films. This structure often forces characters to act in ways that serve the plot rather than allowing the plot to grow naturally from character development.
This structural issue worsens when TV shows are prolonged beyond their ideal length. Networks often push for additional seasons of popular series, leading writers to manufacture drama and conflict that feel forced and inauthentic. After dozens of hours, the idea that so many intense events happen to the same group of characters can also strain believability.
Plot Structure and Suspense Elements
The pilot episode begins with the disappearance of a popular teenager, a mystery that becomes the central plot point around which the show’s events unfold. The writing reveals how quickly the community’s initial worry turns to suspicion and blame, fueled by local rumors and sensationalism.
It highlights many ways to create suspense, but one of the most effective methods is to give characters a goal they’re desperate to achieve, a strict time limit, and severe consequences if they fail. Another approach is to have them do something they shouldn’t be, with their chances of getting caught increasing every second.
Hitchcock is the master of suspense, but it comes in many forms. It could be as simple as waiting for lottery numbers to be called, the final seconds of a championship game, or needing a restroom at the worst possible moment. The power of suspense lies in what’s at stake–someone’s life, well-being, or dignity. It all depends on the setup.
Symbolism
While Hysteria! is primarily a supernatural thriller, it also serves as a social commentary on the dangers of mass Hysteria. The pilot's writing invites viewers to question how communities can transform minor concerns into moral panics, often targeting individuals or groups who are different or misunderstood.
Remember that the script, especially for a pilot, serves as a blueprint. Its job is to create a sense of the film experience in advance. A script gets greenlit because decision-makers feel they’ve already experienced the film because you've made it easy for them to visualize.
While it's true that a film has more storytelling tools than a script, any elements made redundant by other aspects can be trimmed in the edit.