Sitcoms

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Generic Conventions of Sitcoms

Sitcoms include key generic conventions.

Characters

All sitcoms include elements of comedy.
The characters within the series are reoccurring.
The characters are set in a shared environment such as a workplace, home, school etc.

Continuation

Episodes can include standalone or continuous narratives.
- Standalone narratives are concluded at the end of each episode.
- Continuous narratives mean some jokes and information will be carried over to the next episode.

Laughter

The audience’s laughter can be heard in the episode.
- Some sitcoms are filmed in front of a live audience, others will use canned laughter.

Filming

Conventional sitcoms are filmed using a three-camera set up and are filmed on a set.
Most sitcoms are 23-24 minutes long to allow time for advertising breaks.

Uk vs. US Sitcoms

There are key differences between US and UK sitcoms.

Series vs. season

The UK calls the episodes released together a series, whereas the US calls it a season.

Length

The length of series/season.
UK sitcoms normally have 6 episodes per series, whereas US sitcoms usually have 24 episodes per season.

Writers

UK sitcoms have one or two writers only.
US sitcoms have a team of writers.

Budget

UK sitcoms have relatively low budgets.
US sitcoms have high budgets.

Filming

UK sitcoms are often filmed on location with single camera technology.
US sitcoms are often filmed with live audiences watching the recording using multi-camera technology.

Production process

UK production process is straightforward.
US production process requires:
- Ideas being pitched.
- The show being green lighted and picked up by a network.
- Then a range of checks before the show is actually broadcast.

1Overview

1.1Media Language

1.1.1Media Language

1.1.2Media Language 2

1.2Audience

1.2.1Audiences

1.2.2Audiences 2

1.2.3End of Topic Test - Media Language & Audience

1.3Representation

1.3.1Stereotypes

1.3.2Gender

1.3.3Audiences

1.4The Media Industry

1.4.1Media Industries

1.4.2Ownership

1.4.3Funding & Regulation

1.4.4End of Topic Test - Representation/Media Industry

2Component 1: Section A

2.1Magazines

2.1.1Magazines

2.1.2Pride

2.1.3Pride 2

2.2GQ

2.2.1Context

2.2.2Narrative

2.2.3Representation

2.3Advertising & Marketing

2.3.1Advertising & Marketing

2.3.2Analysing Adverts

2.3.3Analysing Adverts 2

2.3.4Theories & Principles

2.3.5End of Topic Test - Magazines & Advertising

2.4Print Advertisements

2.4.1Quality Street

2.4.2This Girl Can

2.5Film Posters (Marketing)

2.5.1Spectre

2.5.2The Man with The Golden Gun

2.5.3The Man with The Golden Gun 2

2.6Newspapers

2.6.1Ownership & Regulation

2.6.2News Selection

2.6.3Media Language

2.6.4Genres

2.6.5Newspaper Conventions

2.6.6Representation

2.6.7Audience

2.6.8Theories

2.6.9End of Topic Test - Newspapers

2.7The Sun

2.7.1Context

2.7.2Narrative

2.7.3Language & Images

2.8The Guardian

2.8.1The Guardian

2.8.2Narrative

2.8.3Language & Images

3Component 1: Section B

3.1Video Games

3.1.1Video Games

3.2Film

3.2.1The Big Six

3.2.2Technology

3.2.3End of Topic Test - Video Games & Films

3.3Radio

3.3.1The Radio Industry

3.3.2Categories of Radio Station

3.3.3Technology & Radio Audiences

3.3.4Theories

3.3.5End of Topic Test - Radio

3.4No Time To Die

3.4.1Context

3.4.2Narrative

3.4.3Representation

4Component 2: Section A

5Component 2: Section B

5.1Music Video

5.1.1Music Videos

5.1.2The Music Industry

5.2Michael Jackson

5.2.1‘Black or White’

5.3Taylor Swift

5.3.1Bad Blood

5.3.2Intertextual References

5.3.3Media Theories

5.3.4Representation

5.3.5Social Media

5.4Bruno Mars

5.4.1Uptown Funk

5.4.2Analysis

5.4.3End of Topic Test - Music Videos

5.5Lizzo

5.5.1Context

5.5.2'Good as Hell'

5.5.3Media Language

5.5.4Representation

5.5.5Audience

5.5.6Industry

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