TV Series as Formal Invention: From Hitchcock to Fincher

This essay by Dork Zabunyan argues that television series are not merely narrative vehicles but also sources of formal invention, especially when directed by filmmakers like Gus Van Sant and David Fincher. The author critiques the tendency to discuss series only in terms of plot and characters, neglecting visual analysis. He notes that series are rarely rewatched, hindering image analysis, and that economic discourse often overshadows aesthetic considerations. Hitchcock's work on Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955-1965) is cited as an early example of formal innovation under commercial constraints. More recently, Van Sant's Boss (2011) and Fincher's House of Cards (2012) demonstrate how filmmakers use series to explore new visual strategies, such as extreme close-ups and night scenes, while critiquing media power. The essay calls for an immanent analysis of series' images, linking them to broader critiques of television and politics.