Problem of the week
Also called: weekly problem
ELI5
A repeatable episode structure built around a new problem that is largely addressed within the episode.
Used in conversation
“Let’s track the problem of the week through the outline before rewriting scenes.”
Definition
A repeatable episode structure built around a new problem that is substantially addressed within the episode.
Here “Problem of the week” means: A repeatable episode structure built around a new problem that is substantially addressed within the episode.
Pitch context
You may encounter “Problem of the week” in story, structure & screenplay conversations or materials.
Why it matters: Helps describe how a story works on the page and how its dramatic parts fit together.
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See how pitch.dog can helpSources & evidence · 4
Supporting source families. This entry is an editorial synthesis rather than a quotation from one canonical glossary.
- Screen Australia — What is a Synopsis? An Outline? A Treatment?Supporting source family · institutional · checked 2026-08-14
- Screen Australia — Story Documents: DramaSupporting source family · institutional · checked 2026-08-14
- ScreenSkills — Online Learning Glossary and Job ProfilesSupporting source family · institutional · checked 2026-08-14
- pitch.dog — Pitch Dictionary Deep Research SynthesisSupporting source family · practitioner · checked 2026-08-14