Professional Pre-Production: Schedule & Run Time

In deciding where The Identity best fits on BBC One's time slot, I researched the typical types of programming that are broadcast at certain times and days on the channel. As my series has adult themes, it would need to be post watershed. After conducting research through BBC's schedule page [1], I found that the most appropriate time slot for The Identity is Wednesdays at 9pm. As I found that this is peak time for the channel, airing dramas such as The Missing and Our Girl, both popular drama shows, varying in theme.

Before narrowing down my exact run time lengths, I made sure that they fit with BBC's duration requirements, and made sure to consider opening titles and closing credits within the run time.

Below, BBC's programme duration specifications can be seen [2]...

In regards to the above duration guidelines, The Identity, having three 60 minute time slot episodes, would have a duration of 58 minutes, including the opening titles and closing credits.

As I have created opening titles with a length of 40 seconds, I'm able to incorporate this time into my run time. When considering how long the closing credits would be hypothetically, I found a helpful guide that specifies the typical length of closing credits in relation to programme length and series type [3].

After viewing the above document, I have decided that my hypothetical end credits length is suited to being 30 seconds long. With both credits in mind, this removes an overall 1 minutes and 10 seconds from my run time.

In light of my research, I have created all three episodes' run times below...

Episode One

0 - 40 sec: Opening Titles

40 sec - 10 min: 1989 London; Beginning Julia, Kathleen & Frank Scenes

10 - 20 min: Present Day Philadelphia; Lauren's Life Introduction Scenes

20 - 30 min: Helen's Accident and Hospitalisation Scenes

30 - 40 min: Lauren's Discovery, Talk with Chris, and Preparing to Leave Scenes

40 - 50 min: Lauren's Journey to Airport, Arriving, and Meeting Ethan in Bar Scenes

50 min - 57 min 30 sec: Lauren Boarding the Plane, Ethan Conversation, and Ending Scenes

57 min 30 sec - 58 min: Closing Credits

Episode Two

0 - 40 sec: Opening Titles

40 sec - 10 min: Lauren arriving in London, and Breakfast with Ethan Scenes

10 - 20 min: Library with Ethan, Searching for Family, and Finding Frank Scenes

20 - 30 min: Following Frank, and Revealing His Affair & Daughter Scenes

30 - 40 min: Bar with Ethan, Discovering His Identity, and Sleeping Together Scenes

40 - 50 min: Ethan Left Behind, Lauren Finding Parents' House, and Meeting Amanda Scenes

50 min - 57 min 30 sec: Lauren's Talk with Amanda, Replacement Realisation, and Parents Arrival Scenes

57 min 30 sec - 58 min: Closing Credits

Episode Three

0 - 40 sec: Opening Titles

40 sec - 10 min: Lauren's Talk with Kathleen, Frank & Amanda, and Frank Hitting Lauren Scenes

10 - 20 min: Lauren Leaves, Note from Ethan, and Amanda Drinking Scenes

20 - 30 min: Amanda Finding Lauren, Frank Continuing Affair, and Kathleen Finding Out Scenes

30 - 40 min: Lauren Leaving for Airport, Call from Amanda, Arriving at Amanda's House, and Call from Helen Scenes

40 - 50 min: Lauren Entering Amanda's House, Amanda's Attack, Helen's Entrance, and Amanda & Helen's Deaths Scenes

50 min - 57 min 30 sec: Lauren Leaving, Witnessing Frank & Kathleen Being Told about Amanda, Calling Chris, Calling Ethan, and Ending Meeting Ethan Scenes

57 min 30 sec - 58 min: Closing Credits

I'm very pleased with how the story content plays out in the 58 minute run time of each episode. I think per ten minutes, a lot happens and changes, with story arcs throughout, and cliff hangers at the end of each episode. With an ending that has climactic chaos, emotion and a slightly happy, but uncertain ending.

With a professional, realistic run time, the series feels more ready for hypothetical broadcasting on BBC One and AMC.

References

1. BBC One HD Schedule

2. BBC Commissioning: Programme Duration

3. Durations for End Credits Document