Lessons - Week 3: British Sitcom. Codes, Conventions & Narrative &

LESSON 8

Period4 - 11Media

Aim: To gain a knowledge and understanding of significant British sitcom texts.
Unfortunately I cannot place the presentation on this blog as you will see it in the lesson because it contains video extracts. Therefore I have uploaded the slides and the videos separately!

British Sitcom 1960 - Present ppt.

Here are the the extracts we shall be discussing. Remember you cannot get youtube in school. Mr Moore is in the process of putting all the clips on the school intranet.

 

Think about what these clips suggest about the development of sitcoms. Are the clips still acceptable today? Why/why not? Try to support your opinions. Read the handout 'Cult Comedy' and discuss together as class. What makes a 'classic' or a 'cult' sitcom? 

Homework: Read the handout and make sure there is evidence to show you have read it - I suggest a written summary, bullet points or a post! Remember to submit your files next Wednesday

LESSON 7

Period2 - 11Media

Aim: To recognise similarities in the narratives of sitcoms.

Firstly we shall recap the concept of NARRATIVE which we discussed briefly yesterday. Spend a few minutes thinking about the questions:

• What is narrative?
• How important is it for audiences and institutions?
• Do sitcoms have similar narratives?
  
• What familar narratives do you know?

Feedback and write key points on your sheet.

Recap Taflinger's 3 structures - Dramedy, Domcom, Actcom. Distribute the worksheets. Read the notes and explain the task. Work in pairs to complete the research. Write your findings in the table provided. You will be standing up to explain your findings at the end of the lesson.

Stress the importance of narrative to the sitcom genre. Q&A What other narrative theories do you know/can you remember? Discuss together.

• Basic 5 point structure
• Todorov: Equilibrium, Disruption, New Equilibrium
• Levi-Strauss: Binary Oppositions
• Barthes: Enigma Codes & Action Codes
• Propp: Stock characters

Can you apply your knowledge of narrative to the episode of Hancock we viewed last week?

Each pair is to share and explain their findings.

Homework: Choose any sitcom you know well and apply the narrative theories. Complete the sheet.

Homework: Narrative Table

LESSON 6

Period5 - 11Media
Aim: To understand the codes and conventions of TV sitcom and to recognise some of the problems when attempting to define and explain sitcom.
Distribute the starter activity sheet. In pairs unscrabble the radio shows and match with the date. Clue: We mentioned them last week! Discuss the questions at the bottom. Introduce the aims of today's lesson. Begin the powerpoint presentation - click below:

Sitcom: An Introduction ppt.

You all have a handout so concentrate on listening and writing annotations or helpful comments next to the apporpriate slides. Please ask if you want me to slow down or repeat something. Throughout the ppt there are discussion points so I expect to see you all contributing. Think about:

• Definitions & codes & conventions of sitcoms
• Types of sitcoms - diversity!
• TAFLINGER'S 3 categories: Actcom, Domcom, Dramedy
• Characters and humour
• Basic Stuctures

Explain the homework - the sheet is below:

Homework -Table & Clues

Homework: Choose a sitcom and write about the following:

• Background & context
• Use of generic codes & conventions
• Comic strategies
• Form and structure
• Type of Sitcom

Complete the table if this helps or if you prefer post your response to your blog.

Lessons - Week 2: Origins, Radio Comedy, Hancock & Performance

Lesson 4

Aim: To gain an understanding of the 

origins of Sitcom and the history & development of radio sitcom. 

Explain aims of the lesson. There will be 2 powerpoints used throughout this lesson and some help sheets. You must be ready to work and to listen. You don't need reminding this is your exam topic and you will be leaving in a few weeks. Firsly I will go through the first powerpoint which you can click on below. You will have your own copy of the slides so it is important to listen and to annotate important points. This will establish the expectations of the upcoming lessons.

Teaching TV Sitcom - An Overview

Q&A.Where did sitcom begin? What are the origins of sitcom? Look on the internet and find out. R

emember you need clear de

finitions and it is important that you are aware of where many of the shows we watch today evolved from. Context is really important. The powerpoint is below. We shall go through some of the key dates and texts and then you will be doing your own research. We will only use the first part of this powerpoint today.

Radio & Hancock ppt.

Distribute the task sheets. Read and discuss together. Set the homework task and explain. Students are to visit the link below, read and make notes of the key points/important dates.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sitcom

Feedback and share your findings with the rest of the group.

Homework: There is no doubt that radio comedy had a role in the development of sitcoms as we know them today.

• Do you think radio is still important in the continued development of sitcom? Gives reasons. (TIP: Think about the advent of digital television and investigate BBC7. Use the worksheet to help you plan your response.) This should be posted to your blog by Friday.
  

Visit www.bbc.co.uk/bbc7 for an overview of the programmes on BBC7.

Lesson 5

Aim:  To understand the importance of performance and to develop and awareness of Hancock’s legacy

Due to technical problems yesterday 

I want you to visit:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sitcom

Read and make notes for your file.  Discuss the key points.  Ensure you have them written down.  Recap what was learned yesterday.  Q&A Radio shows etc. Discuss the homework question – How important is radio today in the development of sitcom?  Spend 5 mins logging on to www.cjsitcomblog.blogspot.com and visiting each others blogs to read a range of responses.  Discuss briefly.  Continue with the powerpoint from yesterday.  IntroduceHancock’s Half Hour – considered to be one of the first/best British sitcoms.  W

hy?  Follow the links below to get started.  Find ten facts about the show and Tony Hancock.  Your findings should be posted to your blog.  If you have time upload an image/link/video.

www.televisionheaven.co.uk/hancock.html

www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/hancockshalfhour/

Continue with the powerpoint.  Introduce the term PERFORMANCE. What are Performance Signs?  Distribute the handout and read together.   Why is the Only Fools and Horses scene funny?  Much of the comedy is created from David Jason’s performance as Del Boy.  Does performance help to explain why we enjoy sitcoms, buy the DVDs and watch repeats?  Set Homework.  We will watch an episode of Hancock’s Half Hour.  You are you make notes on aspects of performance: Positioning, Movement, Speech, Timing etc.  Complete the table. Share your findings. 

Homework: Choose your favourite sitcom character/actor.  What do you expect from their performance?  Visit BBC comedy connections website.  Think about:  The actor’s background, influences, appearance etc. Produce a biography on your blog with images and links.  You should not cut and paste information – put in a link instead!

www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/comedyconnections/