Thursday 3 April 2008

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.
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.
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.

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/


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