Thursday 10 April 2008

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.


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: 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.