Thinking About Characters: TV Versus Film for Selena Gomez
Thinking about characters is pretty fun, right? Especially when we look at the entertainment world. Selena Gomez approaches TV roles quite differently than film parts. It’s a truly interesting topic, honestly. She’s built a huge name for herself in both places. She shows a distinct way of working in each format. It’s more than just the camera or screen, you know? It’s about building layers and small details over time. These grow from long, serialized stories. They are quite different from quick film narratives.
We can really dive into Gomez’s methods for characters here. We’ll use facts and insights into her own process. We’ll explore how TV and film stories naturally differ. We’ll also touch on how things changed over time. Then we can peek into what’s probably coming next. I am happy to share these insights with you today. It makes you think about acting itself.
How TV and Film Stories Naturally Differ
When we start talking about characters, first let’s think about TV and film structures. TV series usually let stories unfold over much longer periods. They really allow for more detailed narratives. A show might even run for many years. Characters can truly grow and change profoundly over that time. A Pew Research Center survey from 2019 found something important. About 57% of Americans genuinely love binge-watching shows. They choose full series over just watching films. (Pew Research Center, 2019). This points to a big shift in how we consume stories now. People want that long-term engagement.
But here’s the thing. Films are usually only about two hours long. Maybe a little more if you’re lucky. They desperately need efficient storytelling to make their point. This fundamental difference really impacts how characters are created. In films, characters often fit a certain mold or function. They must fit their whole story arc very quickly within that limited time. Take Gomez’s film *Spring Breakers* from 2012. Her character, Faith, starts as a seemingly innocent college student. She rapidly becomes much more complex and morally ambiguous. This fast change fits the film’s need for a quick impact. It had to happen fast.
In stark contrast, *Only Murders in the Building* allows Mabel Mora to breathe. That’s Gomez’s character in that show. We see her many layers peel back slowly over multiple seasons. A study by the American Psychological Association in 2021 noted something cool. Viewers report feeling deeper connections to characters in stories that run a long time. (APA, 2021). This emotional bond is a huge advantage for TV writers. They can explore more complex narratives and character journeys. You really get to know them.
Digging Into Character Depth on Television
Gomez creates her TV characters with lots of genuine depth. She makes them feel truly complex and real. In *Only Murders in the Building*, Mabel Mora is far from simple at all. She shows the very real struggles of being a young adult. She navigates life in a big place like New York City. This specific character really connects with so many viewers. Especially younger folks like Gen Z and millennials. Nielsen’s 2021 report highlighted this point. Audiences aged 18-34 increasingly prefer stories centered around characters. (Nielsen, 2021). It’s quite the notable trend we’re seeing.
Gomez plays Mabel with a great mix of humor and vulnerability. There’s also always a little hint of mystery about her past. The writers get the chance to really explore her background. They dig into her relationships and her core motivations. They do this over many, many episodes. A film would seriously struggle to do this well, you know? It would just feel incredibly rushed and perhaps unbelievable. Mabel’s journey over the series truly shows something special. It highlights how we can explore human experience deeply and patiently.
For example, we watch Mabel confronting her past trauma. She deals with her complicated friendships too. This unfolds little by little, episode by episode. This kind of slow-burn story really lets us connect with her on a personal level. Her struggles feel incredibly real and relatable. Data from Statista back in 2022 showed another interesting fact. 70% of surveyed viewers felt significantly more attached to characters in long series. This was compared to feature films they watched. (Statista, 2022). This suggests TV’s longer, slower approach genuinely works wonders. It builds stronger audience connections over time.
The Power of Working Together in Storytelling
In television production, working together is absolutely key. Writers, actors, and directors truly team up closely. Producers also work hand-in-hand with everyone. They all help shape characters little by little over a long period. Selena Gomez talks a lot about this teamwork being vital. In interviews, she put it quite simply once. She said, “We all have a voice, and that voice is powerful.” You can see this collaboration clearly in *Only Murders in the Building*. She is not just a lead actor there. She also serves as an executive producer.
This collaborative effort in TV allows things to change. It allows for feedback loops. Stories can actually adjust as the seasons go along. If audiences really love a certain character trait, writers might explore it more. This kind of flexibility is far less common in moviemaking. Film scripts are almost always completely finished and fixed before filming even starts. A report from The Hollywood Reporter in 2020 noted something important. TV shows statistically have a 30% higher chance of changing major character arcs. This is often based on real audience reactions or new ideas from the team. Films just don’t do this as much. (Hollywood Reporter, 2020).
I believe this team approach helps characters feel more organic and real. In *Only Murders in the Building*, Mabel’s journey and quirks sometimes change. This is based on ideas from the whole team and even viewer feedback. This helps her character grow and adapt naturally. It really resonates with all of us watching week after week. To be honest, it makes the story feel much more alive and responsive. It’s not just a fixed thing.
A Look Back: How Characters Developed Over Time
To truly grasp Gomez’s approach, we need to take a look back. How did film and TV characters change over history? Historically, films often focused on big, iconic stars. They had grand, sweeping narratives often centered on archetypes. TV, however, started much lighter and simpler. It gradually became a much richer place for complex stories.
Cable TV arriving in the late 1990s really changed everything fundamentally. Shows like *The Sopranos* came onto the scene. Then there was groundbreaking series like *The Wire*. These shows marked a major turning point. They showed incredibly detailed character journeys. These played out slowly over many, many seasons. They absolutely paved the way for characters like Mabel Mora today. This is where characters can really shine with depth and nuance.
Gomez is genuinely part of this amazing, ongoing journey. Her character in *Wizards of Waverly Place* was an early start. It prepared her for taking on much deeper, more challenging roles later. She went from playing a quirky teen wizard to portraying a complex, smart young detective. This progression shows how TV storytelling itself has matured dramatically. It’s not just kid shows anymore.
Imagine the incredible shift that happened. We went from simple, episode-specific characters who reset each week. Now we have deeply flawed, incredibly relatable people. They navigate life’s difficult grey areas just like we do. This evolution has genuinely opened doors wide open. Actors like Gomez can explore whole new dimensions in the roles they choose. It’s pretty cool to witness, isn’t it?
What’s Next: Future Trends in Character Development
Looking ahead, character development looks incredibly promising. This applies to both TV and film platforms. Streaming services are massively changing the game for everyone involved. They allow for much more diverse stories to be told. They also let characters be explored even more deeply than before. As Gomez continues her career, I think she’ll keep pushing creative boundaries.
A McKinsey & Company report from 2023 made a bold projection. Streaming services globally plan to increase their investment in original content. It’s by a massive 50% in just the next five years. This means lots more character-driven stories are coming our way. (McKinsey, 2023). That means many more chances for characters like Mabel Mora to exist and thrive. Complexity and genuine depth will definitely be top priorities for creators.
And what about things like interactive storytelling? Viewers might eventually influence character choices themselves. This could change character development dramatically in unforeseen ways. Imagine a world where audiences directly impact a character’s story in real-time. What an absolutely wild concept that is! It opens a whole new frontier for narrative possibilities. It could completely redefine how we connect with fictional characters. Honestly, it makes me incredibly excited for the future of storytelling and acting.
Hearing Both Sides: Counterarguments and Criticisms
Of course, not everyone completely agrees with this big shift towards complex, long-form characters. Some critics argue that very character-driven stories can sometimes drag. They worry these shows might lose narrative focus over time. They fear that trying for immense depth can make series lose their tight pacing. Films naturally have this inherent tight structure and pacing.
However, I am happy to argue that the benefits of character depth are much greater overall. Audiences today really crave connection and authenticity. Complex characters make stories much more engaging emotionally. While some films might stick to a predictable formula, evolving character arcs in series offer genuine surprises. They deliver rich emotional payoffs over time, too. This feels much more rewarding to watch unfold. It’s worth the slower pace for that connection.
Tips for Creators: How to Build Your Own Characters
For new writers and creators out there, here are some simple tips. Think carefully about building characters for TV versus film projects.
1. Invest time in backstory. Spend lots of time creating a character’s past life. TV characters really benefit from deep, hidden histories. These can be revealed slowly over many episodes.
2. Embrace genuine collaboration. Work very closely with your entire creative team. Sharing ideas openly always creates richer, more believable characters.
3. Listen to feedback wisely. Pay careful attention to audience reactions. Characters can often grow and evolve based on how viewers connect with them.
4. Focus on relatability fiercely. Make your characters feel genuinely like real people we know. This emotional bond helps viewers invest much more deeply in their stories.
5. Explore real complexity. Don’t shy away from giving characters flaws. Embrace their imperfections fully. This makes them feel far more human and authentic to everyone watching. I am eager to see what you create!
Common Questions: FAQ About Character Development
Q: What is the main, fundamental difference in character development between film and television?
A: It’s mostly about the amount of time you have available. TV allows for slow, steady character growth over many hours. Films typically need quick, efficient character arcs within a short timeframe.
Q: Why is genuine character depth considered so important in modern storytelling?
A: Deep, complex characters create strong emotional bonds with viewers. This makes stories significantly more engaging and memorable. They feel much more real and impactful to the audience watching.
Q: How can feedback from the audience actually influence character development in a show?
A: Audience reactions and discussions can genuinely help writers and creators adjust character journeys or highlight specific traits. This makes sure the characters continue to connect deeply with the viewers following along.
Bringing It All Together: A Concluding Thought
To sum things up, Selena Gomez clearly handles developing characters differently. Her approach for TV roles really stands apart from her film work. This reflects a much bigger, ongoing shift in how we tell stories today. Television definitely offers opportunities for deeper character exploration. It fosters those powerful emotional connections over time. Characters can truly grow and change in ways films often simply cannot manage due to their format.
As we look ahead, character-focused stories seem destined to keep thriving. TV’s collaborative nature strongly helps this. The rapidly changing world of streaming and storytelling platforms also contributes greatly. These forces will likely lead to even richer, more relatable characters appearing on our screens. So, as we watch Gomez and other talented creators, let’s embrace the depth they bring. Let’s truly welcome the complexity they add to our viewing experiences. Imagine the absolutely amazing, complex stories yet to unfold in the years to come!
In the end, creating a great character isn’t just about the script pages. It’s about forging a real connection. It’s about genuine understanding. It’s about reflecting the messy, beautiful human experience we all share. I am excited to see how creators like Gomez continue to shape this narrative landscape in the years to come. We get to witness it all.
