GCSE Media Studies Paper 2008

[Xarea]

I know, some schools don't get the exam paper until Friday - so I thought i'd scan it in for you all - this is higher tier, so expect more help and guidelines if your doing foundation.

The questions are fairly easy - question one will probably involve much discussion of Hancocks Half Hour, upto My Family - the other 3 questions are pretty much self explanitory.

Three hours seems like way too much for this paper, but whatever!

http://images.habboupload.com/1209410347.png

http://images.habboupload.com/1209440699.png

http://images.habboupload.com/1209438241.png

And the storyboard for task four....

http://images.habboupload.com/1209435491.png

Enjoy! Seems like a too easy of an exam, but i'll take my A* please!

[JackBuddy]

Looks like they are dumbing down media studies even more!

[Xarea]

Looks like they are dumbing down media studies even more!

I thought that - reading the past few years papers, I was quite worried, but i'm very confident - especially as I have three weeks to revise my answers!

[Barmi]

And you get a qualification from that? I can't believe you get to prepare it, lol! If only all exams were like that... lucky Ollie and other Media Studies people!! :)

[Throne Sofa]

Thanks. ;)

Task 3 and task 4 are VERY easy I think. Task 2 and Task 1 require a little work but this will be an easy exam I think. Plus 3 hrs to do it all? :eusa_danc:eusa_danc

Also, are you only expected to do the one storyboard sheet?

[Pyroka]

Heh, shame Media studies is going to be axed soon enough. Universities are starting to deny it as it's complete crap. I heard that from my uncle who works as a Project Manager for BP, gave me this huge Guardian article on Universities and requirements. Media studies ain't really gonna be around for much longer.

[Karma]

Hey, Cheers for this :), Too the post lol, Media Studies helps you with a wide range of things along with being fun! Like your English Skills, Production Skills and Common sense lol!

[Throne Sofa]

With the media playin a big part in how we live our lives today Pyroka, I think scrapping the subject would be a bad idea.

[Immenseman]

Nice, I don't get mine til next week so thanks for that! :D

[Xarea]

Thanks. ;)

Task 3 and task 4 are VERY easy I think. Task 2 and Task 1 require a little work but this will be an easy exam I think. Plus 3 hrs to do it all? :eusa_danc:eusa_danc

Also, are you only expected to do the one storyboard sheet?

Thats what I thought - and no, read the front page, you get two sheets (i'm not sure if they ment 4 sides of A4, or 2 sides of A4) of storyboard, and 12-page answer booklet.

I'm guessing that i'll probably have it done by 2 hours, pah.


Heh, shame Media studies is going to be axed soon enough. Universities are starting to deny it as it's complete crap. I heard that from my uncle who works as a Project Manager for BP, gave me this huge Guardian article on Universities and requirements. Media studies ain't really gonna be around for much longer.

I have to disagree, Media Studies is what infulences us all every day, this forum is full of media, this could be even seen as a media institution in a way - it influences us, along with radio, TV, internet, magazines, newspapers, leaflets, films - so anyone who says it's complete crap obviously has never listened to the radio, switched on a TV, used a computer, read a newspaper or seen a film... or their stupid.


Nice, I don't get mine til next week so thanks for that! :D

That's why I posted it, ha!

What are people doing for their sitcom?! I don't want your ideas, just want to see - I have a killer idea ;)!

[Asher]

wow, I didn't even study Media Studies at GCSE and I'm certain I could A* that paper LOL

Talk about giving away a qualification. No wonder Media Studies is always blacklisted for most decent college entry requirements and Universities.

[Xarea]

Not trying to "back it up" - but the past few papers have actually been quite easy, reading them:

http://aqa.org.uk/qual/gcse/qp-ms/AQA-3571H-W-QP-JUN07.PDF
2007 paper

http://aqa.org.uk/qual/gcse/qp-ms/AQA-3571H-W-QP-JUN06.PDF
2006 paper

http://aqa.org.uk/qual/gcse/qp-ms/AQA-3571H-W-QP-JUN05.PDF
2005 paper

http://aqa.org.uk/qual/gcse/qp-ms/AQA-3571H-W-QP-JUN04.PDF
2004 paper

Look how easy they all are - but let me tell you, the coursework is bloody hard LOL.

[Asher]

I'm sure if you have half decent essay writing skills then it'd be fine

[Xarea]

I'm sure if you have half decent essay writing skills then it'd be fine

Yeah, I got A* in my coursework, pah, but it took me a while - considering I got 60/60 in Practical Production for submitting the work I did on ClubHabbo (yes, haha!), I thought I got off pretty easy.

[RYANNNNN]

Yeah, I got A* in my coursework, pah, but it took me a while - considering I got 60/60 in Practical Production for submitting the work I did on ClubHabbo (yes, haha!), I thought I got off pretty easy.

We had to do either a health campaign, magazine or short film. I chose health campaign and got 57/60 which is an A* as well.

This is one of 3 posters I created (against drink driving).

http://www.upload44.com/uploads/5713pub_resize1.png

For anyone wondering though, designing posters is only a small part of it. I had to take all the photos myself, loads of analysing and write-ups.

[needhelp]

CANNN SOME 1 PLEASEE TELL ME WHAT TO WRITE FOR TASK 2 IM STUCK
AND I DNT NO WHAT TO DO
MY EXAM IS ON FRIDAY PLEASEEE
HELLPPP
REPLYY ASAP
TELL ME SOME KEY POINT FOR THAT QUESTION

[needhelp]

CANNN SOME 1 PLEASEE TELL ME WHAT TO WRITE FOR TASK 2 IM STUCK
AND I DNT NO WHAT TO DO
MY EXAM IS ON FRIDAY PLEASEEE
HELLPPP
REPLYY ASAP
TELL ME SOME KEY POINT FOR THAT QUESTION


CANNN SOME 1 PLEASEE TELL ME WHAT TO WRITE FOR TASK 2 IM STUCK
AND I DNT NO WHAT TO DO
MY EXAM IS ON FRIDAY PLEASEEE
HELLPPP
REPLYY ASAP
TELL ME SOME KEY POINT FOR THAT QUESTION


CANNN SOME 1 PLEASEE TELL ME WHAT TO WRITE FOR TASK 2 IM STUCK
AND I DNT NO WHAT TO DO
MY EXAM IS ON FRIDAY PLEASEEE
HELLPPP
REPLYY ASAP
TELL ME SOME KEY POINT FOR THAT QUESTION


PLEASEE :S:S:S:S


Edited by ,Jess, (Forum Moderator): Please do not multiple post.

[Xarea]

CANNN SOME 1 PLEASEE TELL ME WHAT TO WRITE FOR TASK 2 IM STUCK
AND I DNT NO WHAT TO DO
MY EXAM IS ON FRIDAY PLEASEEE
HELLPPP
REPLYY ASAP
TELL ME SOME KEY POINT FOR THAT QUESTION

Think about the current genre on television - ie. Reality Television - are Sitcoms becoming more like reality television, ie. with such programs like Moving Wallpaper coincsiding with Echo Beach? Are more cult sitcoms (such as The Office), wiping out the more traditional sitcoms? AQA think it's doing fine, but what do you think?

[needhelp]

pleaseeee some one send me an EMAILLLLLL
ON MY MSN
CUS I DNT REGULARLY COME ON THIS FORUM
AND I URGENTLY NEED THIS
HERE IS MY ADDY
SEND ME IT
VIA EMAIL
PLEASEE
THE BASIC KEY POINTS OT TASK 2
PLEASEE
[email protected]
PLEASEE
URGENT

[needhelp]

WHAT DU U MEAN
I DONT UNDERSTAND
CAN U NOT JUST TELL ME
CLEARLY PLEASEE
INSTEAD OF BEATING ROUND THE BUSHH :eusa_clap:eusa_danc
LOLL
WAT SHALL IN RITEE

[needhelp]

Think about the current genre on television - ie. Reality Television - are Sitcoms becoming more like reality television, ie. with such programs like Moving Wallpaper coincsiding with Echo Beach? Are more cult sitcoms (such as The Office), wiping out the more traditional sitcoms? AQA think it's doing fine, but what do you think?
TELLL ME SUMM MORE POINTS PLEASEEEE
WAT ELSE DU I RITEEE
U VERY HELPFUL BUT BE A BIT MORE OPEN PLEASEE

[needhelp]

Think about the current genre on television - ie. Reality Television - are Sitcoms becoming more like reality television, ie. with such programs like Moving Wallpaper coincsiding with Echo Beach? Are more cult sitcoms (such as The Office), wiping out the more traditional sitcoms? AQA think it's doing fine, but what do you think?
HAV U GOT ANY MORE POINTS THAT CAN FILL ABOUT A PAGE
CUS IVE ONLY GOT THE POINT U JUST TOLSD ME
ANYFNG ELSE


Edited by ,Jess, (Forum Moderator): Please do not multiple post, simply edit your first post.

[needhelp]

OLLLEHH
NYFNG ELSE
PLEASEEEE

[Axel]

Do you have any other papers apart from Media Studies?

[Meanies]

but let me tell you, the coursework is bloody hard LOL.

i liked the coursework. some bits were hard but there were ways around it.

Basically putting english and ict skills into another subject.
We didn't get told out final coursework marks ;o Probs 'cos our teacher left at easter.

On task 3, making your own sitcom. I need a title for mine, I can't think of anything decent. Its about a small group of people at college who have various problems. It needs to be catchy and unique ;)

[The Professor]

I'm really poor on making things up, but my knowledge of sitcoms is equal to that of God's knowledge of how to make a planet, so I think I'm safe. This is such a stupid exam though, 3 weeks and 3 hours is so long to prepare an answer...

[JackBuddy]

I can't believe you get a gcse for that.

[Throne Sofa]

On the message by you Jack...

This isn't the whole GCSE, it's only 50% of the gcse. So you don't really get a gcse for just that.

It's harder than it seems on the surface...

[The Professor]

Harder than it seems? I'd disagree :P I'd maybe accept them giving the first two questions a day in advance to get the sitcom idea thinking stage done but 3 weeks in advance and a 3 hour exam is just short of taking the piss out of the exam system

[Jaiisun]

I found both the foundation and higher tier papers online (including storyboard sheets!). So, it'll be better quality in printing.

HIGHER:
http://www.aqa.org.uk/qual/gcse/qp-ms/AQA-3571HM-W-PM-JUN08.PDF

FOUNDATION:
http://www.aqa.org.uk/qual/gcse/qp-ms/AQA-3571FM-W-PM-JUN08.PDF

Hope it helps you all!

Few questions:

What days are your exam on?
Decided on your sitcom? If so, what's so good about it?!
Oh, and, if you can, give hints and tips for others on how to answer the two knowledge questions? (task one and two);].
Jay x

[Xarea]

Few questions:

What days are your exam on?
Decided on your sitcom? If so, what's so good about it?!
Oh, and, if you can, give hints and tips for others on how to answer the two knowledge questions? (task one and two);].
Jay x

i) Thursday 15th May at 9.00am and Tuesday 20th May at 1.30pm

ii) Yeah, it's about a group of kids who all leave school and get a job at a fastfood resturant, and the problems and errands they get into. It's a mix of Hollyoaks and Skins.

iii) Read my earlier post.

[Jaiisun]

Mine is only 6 (and 7) days away!

Monday 12th May at 13:30 and Tuesday 13th May at 13:30

My sitcom is like Skins! But funnier with less detailed storylines.

;].
Jay x

[Xarea]

From seeing the posts on this (and some other forums), it seems that EVERYONE is aiming for the idea of their sitcom to revolve and be into some comparison of Skins. Now is the time i'd consider changing my own, but I don't have the time to re-do all my notes and planning.

Anyone who's not started task three or four yet, i'd probably reccomend laying off a Skins approach.

[needhelp]

does ny1 kniow how to do question 2
i find it really hard
even my teacher does not know how to do it
who ever knows MUST be a GENIUS :eusa_clap
can some 1 pleasee tell mee
thank youu

[Jaiisun]

From seeing the posts on this (and some other forums), it seems that EVERYONE is aiming for the idea of their sitcom to revolve and be into some comparison of Skins. Now is the time i'd consider changing my own, but I don't have the time to re-do all my notes and planning.

Anyone who's not started task three or four yet, i'd probably reccomend laying off a Skins approach.

I'd say that it doesn't really matter how common the sitcoms are, as i'm sure the examiner will realise that teenage boys and girls are more than likely going to create a sitcom for their age range.

However, if you're looking to surprise the examiner and give him something different to look at - then that's when you'll want something other than a new version of Skins.

;].
Jay x

[The Professor]

For comparison's sake, here's my planning for my sitcom. I couldn't care less whether you copy or not, just don't get caught and change the names of the people and the such. I also wouldn't advise it if you live anywhere near me (Nottingham-ish)


The sitcom I have created is based on the adventures and antics of three middle aged men called Reginald Genitalia (or RegGen to friends), Wayne Smartie and Alexis Lexus. The all live on a canal boat on the Erewash Canal in Long Eaton, Derbyshire, England, and this is their primary form of transport with the canal running very close to the playing field on which they play. Their pub is called the “Tiger Inn” and the team is appropriately called the “Tigers.”

The characters take their football extremely seriously, although they often finish bottom of the lowest tier of the English Football League. This often sparks arguments and banter between the men which can serve to set up some one liners or running jokes. They also have lots of very bad taunts for the opposing teams. Leading on from this idea, there could be a running joke in the title squence such as an insult written on the goalpost with marker pen or an amusing message on the back of a T-shirt.

Reginald Genitalia is a typically upper class character, ala “Lord Melbury” in an episode of Fawlty Towers or “Prince George” from Blackadder the Third. This said, his patronising demeanour often makes him look silly when what he is explaining turns out to be completely wrong. His name is also a source of constant amusement, especially since the word “genitalia” is printed on the back of his shirt during matches. He is also the team captain, which gives him the nickname “Captain Genitalia” from other football teams, although his friends and team mates call him RegGen.

Wayne Smartie is a Wayne Rooney-esque player who has lots of muscle but little brainpower. His main trait that everyone else finds funny is his constant misunderstanding off the offside rule, where he will misinterpret the rule based on the word “offisde”, for example thinking that you can only shoot if you fall of the side of the pitch in the process. In the canal boat setting, he is scarily good at snakes and ladders and other such games, despite having an inability to read the rules.

Alexis Lexus is the intelligent character of the programme, ala Blackadder in seires 2,3 and 4 or Polly in Fawlty Towers. The tongue twister name is a running joke in the programme, as it is mispronounced by almost every other character. He is the only truly skilled footballer on the team, and often shows signs of frustration with his team for being so poor. He is the generic good-guy character who always resolves the problems that arise in the episodes. His humour is mainly dry satire like Basil Fawlty and often uses the technique of “Breaking the fourth wall” (which is talking to the audience directly, or in this case the viewer) to complain about the situation and/or people at the time.

Other sources of humour in the programme are the serious attitude of the team to the game despite losing all the time and clearly having no skill at all, frequently puttng all their results down to bad luck. Their frequent encounters with other canal users and their clashes of personalities can also serve as a basis for one liners.

The name of the sitcom is “Down Like The Titanic.” The reasons for this are twofold: firstly it is a reference to their performance in the football league, showing that they are always proceding down the table and that they do this spectacularly ( like the sinking of the Titanic) and secondly the Titanic was a boat, as is their house. The pessimistic tone of the title also represents the main themes of the sitcom, which are negativity and constant failure.

It will be shown at prime time on Channel 4, I would suggest 10PM as that is when C4 traditionally airs its sitcoms and is therefore likely to get good ratings. I have chosen C4 as opposed to the BBC as it is a slightly surreal situation in a similar vein to The IT Crowd and Peep Show, and is therefore likely to become a cult success as opposed to a mainstream success. However, the fact that is isn't completely surreal and appeals to a wide demographic could make it suitable for BBC3 because that channel typically has the same sort of demographic watching to Channel 4 sitcoms, and it also has the chance of being shown on BBC2 if it becomes a success, like “Gavin and Stacey” has recently. However, because BBC3 has lower viewing figures than C4, I would suggest C4 to give the biggest chance of popularity.

It will be aimed at young adult male audiences, aged 16-30. This is because the young male population of the UK typically has an interest in football, whether it be watching matches on television, going to matches in person or playing for a team themselves. Combined with the fact that there is a large portion of the population in this demographic, it should get high ratings provided it's well made and funny.

It should be able to be made with a relatively low budget, with the only expenses being the hiring of a narrow boat for the shots of the outside of it and construction of the sets. It will not be heavy in terms of CG effects as most of its appeal will be the situations and the humour as opposed to the appeal of the aesthetics. The first few series of Red Dwarf were successful with minimal CG effects, whereas the later series started to lose ratings, which were when all the model shots were switched to CGI, suggesting that expensive effects may actually detract from the effectiveness of a sitcom. Indeed, some went as far as to say the seventh series was more of a comedy-drama than a sitcom because the extravagant CG effects and sets overshadowed the comedy.

[needhelp]

do you know how to do task 2
im really stuck
thanks

[Throne Sofa]

@ needhelp.

Look at hybrid genre's a lot, surrealism in sitcoms, future of sitcoms as well like different types of media we can receive it through now such as the internet and freeview etc. This allows more niche sitcoms. Also bbc3 wanting sitcoms etc.

And for my sitcom... I haven't detailed planned it yet but. It will probably be about a group of women all working in a cafe/resturant and they've got to run the place... etc.. :S

[needhelp]

thanks for that
it really helped

[Xarea]

I must say Prof-A, you seem to have planned really, really well - I really like your write up. My write up is still on the drawing board, seeing as I am going to do Task 1 and 2 this Thursday, then i've got until 1.30 next Tuesday to plan Task 3 and 4.

If you don't mind, i'm going to take a few notes from your essay ;). Nice work, buddy!

[Immenseman]

got my exam tomorrow, yay!!

[Xarea]

got my exam tomorrow, yay!!

Good luck - tell us how it goes! My exam is on Thursday!

[Immenseman]

Thanks. I wish i'd planned it but hey it's too late now. Hopefully i've done enough work. It's beyond me how they can tell apart a storyboard worth 10 marks and one worth 20, how can you make them different?

[Xarea]

Thanks. I wish i'd planned it but hey it's too late now. Hopefully i've done enough work. It's beyond me how they can tell apart a storyboard worth 10 marks and one worth 20, how can you make them different?

One of the key tips would be remember to make the drawings relate to the type of shot you put - putting an ECU with a full body of a guy will probably make you lose a hell of alot of marks.

[Immenseman]

I see, thanks Olleh :) +rep

[Xarea]

Also, this is AMAZING help - it's how to officially and properly do a storyboard - written by AQA especially for this exam:

http://www.aqa.org.uk/qual/pdf/AQA-3571-EXEMPLAR.PDF

[Immenseman]

Yeah so done all of the 3 hours today. Task 1 and Task 2 went okay like I thought and hoped they would do. I struggled with Task 3 a little bit due to insufficient planning on my behalf. The story board was okay, I was unsure what the diffence is between little things like mid and long shots. Finished in 2 hours and 50 minutes. You get a booklet with 12 pages, filled in 11 a4 pages and i'm hoping it's filled with stuff that they're looking for. Pretty nice exam really, glad it's out the way now though. R.E on wednesday, bring it on! :P

[needhelp]

also
wat was yur sitcom

[Throne Sofa]

Harder than it seems? I'd disagree :P I'd maybe accept them giving the first two questions a day in advance to get the sitcom idea thinking stage done but 3 weeks in advance and a 3 hour exam is just short of taking the piss out of the exam system

How? For each question i'm expected to write 4 pages. It takes around 20 minutes a page and to ensure the quality is there too. 20x4 = 80 minutes. 1h20 and its 1h30 each day. Hardly taking the piss. Thanks Olleh for that storyboard stuff. I've done a plan for number one but I need to do no.2 and no.3plan this week. got my exam next wed and thrus.

[The Professor]

Had the first part of the exam this afternoon, the second one on Thursday. Got really bad writer's cramp from using a biro, I usually use an ink pen which takes half as much effort to use :P For anyone who still hasn't done 1 & 2 for whatever reason:

Question 1:

Sitcoms

The sitcom is a popular style of television programme. It has been adopted by over 100 television in Britain alone, with further sitcoms in all countries that air television programmes. The genre has a loyal fan base,with DVD sales of sitcoms such as Hancock's Half Hour still high several decades after their original airing. Its popularity is also shown, albeit anecdotally, by its status on wikipedia. As with articles on soap operas and long running dramas, articles on sitcoms frequently have to be split into small articles because of the amount of detail fans of the programmes put into the entries, even with smaller, short lived sitcoms. In contrast, short lived programmes of other genres, such as dramas, can often have articles that are a couple of lines in length due to their relative unpopularity.

The format has been in use on British Television since 1956 when Hancock's Half Hour first aired. It ran for 7 series on television and 6 series on radio and starred Tony Hancock as Sid Hancock. It is often regarded as the original sitcom; indeed Wikipedia lists it as “groundbreaking and influential.” Originally the producers questioned its lastability and popularity, wiping several series of the radio series and destroying the original recordings of the episodes from the first, second and third seires to make room in storage and so the tapes could be re-used. However, it has proven its popularity by being released on DVD 50 years on and giving birth to a new genre of television programme.

A year after Hancock's Half Hour finished (having first been renamed to simply “Hancock” and reduced to 25 minutes and then axed altogether), the writers proceeded to write another sitcom: “Steptoe and Son.” This starred Harry Corbert and Wilfrid Brambell and ran for four series originally, then for another four from 1970. During its second run it was adapted into two feature films. Due to its popularity, the two actors found themselves typecast as their characters, preventing them from getting further acting work, confined to only guest roles in films and TV programmes.

The sitcom genre had, by this point, been established and was being used frequently as a sudden surge of sitcoms appeared during the 70s. The formula of a confined location and small cast of characters provided many opportunities for humour, often based on personal differences between the characters but the inability of them to escape the situation prevents them from running away, proved popular with audiences. The cyclical (self-contained) plot lines suited the casual viewer because they weren't required to tune in to every episode of a series to understand it, unlike soap operas or drama series which often follow on from the last episode.

Because the genre was established, the producers of sitcoms had to play around with the formula to keep their programmes unique and give the audiences a reason to watch. A good example of this is The Black Adder, known as Blackadder II, Blackadder the Third and Blackadder goes Forth in later series. It was produced from 1983 to 1989, with specials being produced up until 2002 and speculation constantly being printed in publications about a possible fifth series. Each series and special was set in a different time period, but there were recurring characters throughout each series with remarkably similar personalities and names. For example, the character of Edmund (played by Rowan Atkinson) appears as a different person but bearing the same characteristics. The series has since established itself as a classic among sitcom fans, with frequent repeats on digital channels. This can be attributed to the fact that the series is set in the past, rather than in the time it was filmed, which prevents an ageing process from taking place. However, the format wasn't originally a success, with the first series receiving less than favourable reviews and low viewing figures. It is interesting to note that the character of Edmund was quite slow and unintelligent while his servant Baldrick (Tony Robinson) was the witty character who often came up with the solution to problems. The roles were reversed from the second series onwards with a focus on Edmund's sarcasm and quick wit, which proved hugely popular.

It can be argued that the sitcom which breaks the traditional “sitcom formula” the most was Red Dwarf, which aired from 1988 – 1999. The crew were killed by a radiation leak while Lister (Craig Charles) was in suspended animation, resulting in him surviving. Rimmer (Chris Barrie) was brought back as a hologram by Holly (Norman Lovett), the ship's computer, to keep him sane. The Cat (simply known as Cat [Danny John-Jules]) was safely sealed in the ship's hold and had evolved into a humanoid creature (known as felix-sapians). Kryten (played by David Ross and later Robert Llewellyn) was discovered aboard the Nova 5 which has crashed into a moon. It is best known for being the first sci-fi/sitcom hybrid.

Originally, Red Dwarf stuck with the classic formula, having a confined location (Red Dwarf), a small cast of five and cyclical plot lines. However, in the second series the crew members gained use of the spacecraft known as Blue Midget, which allowed them to access outside locations and explore. Despite being 3 million years away from earth, the crew often met other characters via sci-fi means such as time travel and wormholes and original concepts such as interactable slides (where you can walk into the picture and all actions you do affect the current reality) and time holes, which transport you to a different location where time works differently (I.e. It runs backwards). The idea of cyclical plot lines was used more infrequently towards the end of Red Dwarf's run, with episodes in series 6, 7 and 8 following on from each other (“Back in the Red” in series 8 had 3 parts for example). Indeed, the last episode of series 6 and the first episode of series 7 directly followed on, despite there being a three year gap between airings due to the actors' other commitments.

If a sitcom starts out breaking conventions in the manner that Red Dwarf did in it's later series, it is likely to either be a small cult hit or a complete failure. A new sitcom has to establish a fan base before it can start to break rules. For example Hyperdrive, shown currently on BBC2, tried to use the same concepts as the later series of Red Dwarf by having an extensive number of main characters and frequently moving outside their locations. This was met with poor viewing figures, as could be expected.

However, sitcoms don't have to play with the conventions to have a unique selling point. Peep Show, which currently airs on Channel 4, has proved to be a hit in the five seasons it has been shown. Starring David Mitchell and Robert Webb, it has self-contained episodes, a trapped location and situation (dead end jobs and a small flat), few characters (recurring characters such as girlfriends and fiancés are often used) and use of traditional laddish humour. However, the whole programme is filmed from the perspective of one of the characters. For example, Mark (David Mitchell) could be walking through his workplace, with the camera looking around as if it was Mark's eyes. This also allows the use of thought tracking with sarcastic comments often thought, audible because the camera is “inside the head” of the character.

Question 2:

Death of the sitcom

In my opinion, the sitcom genre is not 'dead', but it is evolving. The sofa-and-two-chairs style of sitcom ala The Royle Family has been used to the point that they are no longer interesting to people. Modern sitcoms often introduce other elements of other genres of television programme to keep the appealing; sitcoms such as Hyperdrive and The Mighty Boosh use surrealist and sci-fi elements to keep them new and exciting.

The view that the sitcom is “dying” was probably born from the established format that the traditional sitcom created. The first television sitcom, “Hancock's Half Hour,” was set in a normal environment with down-to-earth characters with situations that weren't too far from what the audience were likely to experience at some point in their lives. The audience could relate to the situations as well as the characters, which made the humour more effective and therefore made the programme more appealing and popular. The sitcoms that followed, such as Steptoe and Son, Are You Being Served? and Last of the Summer Wine also used believable characters in realistic situations which would appeal to casual viewers.

However, the situations were often viewed as boring and repetitave after the 1980s, leading to producers of sitcoms to come up with more inventive ways to keep sitcoms appealing. Typically, throughout the mid 70s through the 80s, this included making the characters more flamboyant and out-of-the-ordinary. Fawlty Towers (1975 & 1979) used the exaggerated characters of Basil and Manuel to give the programme an edge over other sitcoms. Basil was sarcastic and negative about all situations, which is extremely uncommon for people in real life, and Manuel often made errors that even spanish people who don't know much english are unlikely to make.

“Del Boy” (David Jason) in the popular, long running “Only Fools and Horses” is another good example of a character with an exaggerated personality. Often when presented with simple problems, he would find the most difficult solution and follow it through, with other characters' objections being a large source of material for retaliations and therefore humour. His character is emphasised further when placed next to Rodney, who was down-to-earth and logical.

Other sitcoms evolved by making their settings extravagant and unusual. Perhaps the most prominent example of this is Blackadder, which used a different time period for each series. Edmund Blackadder was (with the exception of series one), while still witty and sarcastic, more down to earth than Fawlty or Delboy, but the situation and time period made the series popular and gave it a unique selling point.

Another good example is Red Dwarf, which is set in space. While deviating greatly from the traditional sitcom formula, it gave scope for exploration and more surreal and extravagant plot lines which would grip the viewer as much as a drama series would, but still prominently features jokes as its main form of entertainment. But the later series, which were produced in 1998 and 1999 when CG technology was becoming widespread, gave so much room for a complicated plot line that the programme was referred to as a “comedy drama” rather than a sitcom, whereas there was no doubt that the earlier series were a sitcom.

Red Dwarf is the perfect encapsulation of the “death of the sitcom” theory. It started off deviating from the traditional sitcom conventions by frequently meeting other characters and allowing exploration and, as a result from the constant stretching of the definition of sitcom, was thought of as a comedy drama, thus the sitcom element had been “killed off.”

However, despite the traditional sitcom style no longer appealing to people, the newer style of sitcoms can be equally as successful. For example, the format of The Office is a mockumentory but is still considered one of the greatest sitcoms of all time. My Hero, starring Ardal O'Hanlon, featured a superhero as the main character but still ran for 6 series from 2000 – 2006. Peep Show takes the point of view of the characters in the programme and has become a cult success. Despite the traditional sitcom having all but “died,” the newer, more inventive sitcoms will continue to captivate audiences as much as the traditional sitcoms did decades ago.

And of course, for people who are die hard fans of traditional sitcoms, programmes such as The IT Crowd, My Family and Gavin and Stacey still remain in production, and stick to all the conventions that the early sitcoms set down, although they are fewer and far between these days.

[alexxxxx]

Thanks Alex for what you wrote, but i disagree with a few of your points. Peep Show doesnt have contained episodes, the storyline develops throught the series. And I think you need to say some things about technical codes...

[mangle]

Alex, (Wezzy B one!) Do you do Media?

[Xarea]

Wow Prof - you seem to have written almost intirely different things to me... your essay seems really different to me. You seem to dive into loads and loads of information, and not say some of the key features - ie. the length (23-24 minutes on commerical television, 28-20 on the BBC), what actually a sitcom properly is, what comic strategies are used etc.

I think you've done a great job, but I think me and you are on totally different lines! My essay is broken down into 8 sections for Task One:

i. Introduction (Core information, length, Hancock's Half Hour etc.)
ii. Characters, Setting & Design
iii. Problems and Stereotypes
iv. Being Trapped and Comic Strategies
v. Titles
vi. Extensions of the Comedian in the Past
vii. Minority Groups
viii. Millennium Cult Sitcoms & Conclusion

[missdelaney]

[quote=Professor-Alex;4729257]Had the first part of the exam this afternoon, the second one on Thursday. Got really bad writer's cramp from using a biro, I usually use an ink pen which takes half as much effort to use :P For anyone who still hasn't done 1 & 2 for whatever reason:

You seem really good. I had mine today, my mind went blank throughout question two, but managed to get 6 pages for 1. I hope to finish two tomorrow, although I'm guessing i'm going to run out of time as I have the other two questions .. damn.

[missdelaney]

I seem to have done mine entirly different to you also. I broke mine down in terms of "Key Concepts" and "Conventions", (for question 1) and throughout it, quoted examples and characters and went through the history.. For question 2 however I have written about reality television, americanisation, timeless sitcoms, bad attempts, failure, alternative channels and being able to relate.

[The Professor]

;4729398']Thanks Alex for what you wrote, but i disagree with a few of your points. Peep Show doesnt have contained episodes, the storyline develops throught the series. And I think you need to say some things about technical codes...

No idea what a technical code is :P I can sort of only write about what I know!


Wow Prof - you seem to have written almost intirely different things to me... your essay seems really different to me. You seem to dive into loads and loads of information, and not say some of the key features - ie. the length (23-24 minutes on commerical television, 28-20 on the BBC), what actually a sitcom properly is, what comic strategies are used etc.

I think you've done a great job, but I think me and you are on totally different lines! My essay is broken down into 8 sections for Task One:

i. Introduction (Core information, length, Hancock's Half Hour etc.)
ii. Characters, Setting & Design
iii. Problems and Stereotypes
iv. Being Trapped and Comic Strategies
v. Titles
vi. Extensions of the Comedian in the Past
vii. Minority Groups
viii. Millennium Cult Sitcoms & Conclusion

Completely different approach, will probably get more marks tbh :P I think I might have focused on the "how they've changed over time" a bit much by giving a sort of timeline thing, but I sort of included the key points of a sitcom and all that in the detail. I think :P Its such an open ended question though, "show us what you know about sitcoms" can literally cover anything...




You seem really good. I had mine today, my mind went blank throughout question two, but managed to get 6 pages for 1. I hope to finish two tomorrow, although I'm guessing i'm going to run out of time as I have the other two questions .. damn.

Thanks :) Yeah, I'd suggest only giving yourself 10 mins max or so to finish question 2 or you'll run out of time. The storyboard looks a bit time consuming...

Second part of the exam tomorrow! I can't draw, so thats 25 marks gone on the storyboard thing :P

[missdelaney]

Don't worry, I was listening to a Podcast on the Colins website. Artistic mesures don't get you marks, it's more of the angle you write, matching the image you draw. i.e; if you draw a close up, don't write long shot. Second part of mine tomorrow also, working on it at the minute haha.

[Xarea]

Stick men are perfectly fine - allowed, but you need to put facial expression on them.

[JackBuddy]

why don't you spend more time revising a more important subject lol >.>

[leah]

Omg how did you manage to scan it?
your school must be slack? :S

[missdelaney]

Heh, I asked my Media Studies teacher earlier when I finished the second piece of my exam, he mentioned nothing about "facial expression" although he did say to write it all in the box provided. How can you draw a facial expression in a box so small if its a long shot.

[Xarea]

Omg how did you manage to scan it?
your school must be slack? :S

Haha, I have my ways :p


why don't you spend more time revising a more important subject lol >.>

Uhm, what do you mean LOL? ;p

And I did the first half of the paper today, I found it quite easy I guess, I only wrote like 3 pages for Task Two - Task One was pretty easy, however.

[Throne Sofa]

Hmm for question one isn't it more about the history of sitcoms? Taking it from when it was first on Radio to where it is now and following it through the decades? This is the main structure of mine, and by giving examples in each I can show them i know about the main conventions in sitcoms etc.

I prefer my introductions as well with bold and standout comments, something to get the examiner engaged.

[The Professor]

Stick men are perfectly fine - allowed, but you need to put facial expression on them.

WHAAAT? We were told not to draw them under any circumstances :'( Although I did always hate my english teacher for being incompetant......


Hmm for question one isn't it more about the history of sitcoms? Taking it from when it was first on Radio to where it is now and following it through the decades? This is the main structure of mine, and by giving examples in each I can show them i know about the main conventions in sitcoms etc.

Phew, someone else who did the same as me :P

[Throne Sofa]

:)
Alex, for your second one it seems similar to the first question? They're asking for the 'current state' rather than how it developed to its current state?

[jccjcc]

i've done **** in my first exam and i'm probably going to do **** tomorrow in my second!

[Grindle-lad]

Well I had my Task 1 & 2 Exam on Tuesday and it seemed to go pretty well. Wrote about 5 sides for task 1 and 3 for task 2, I hope it contained what they were looking for!

Anyway, got my task 3 & 4 tomorrow, just doing some last minute preperation and trying to memorise my notes!

Good Luck if your still to do yours.

[Grindle-lad]

P.S , Does your storyboard have to fit all 10 frames to get the top marks? I've only got 8 and struggling to find 2 more to fit in...

[Throne Sofa]

Grindle, in the exam you get 20 little boxes.

[Grindle-lad]

You are right.

I had the 2nd half of my exam today, went very well :D

As for the storyboard, it's only supposed to last 30 seconds so i can't imagine many people are using the full 20 slides! I used 10 on mine.

[The Professor]

The exam question says to use 10, you lose marks if you use more/less

[Throne Sofa]

I used 13 as I thought you were suppose to do 20. I thought on the whole I did ok I should get a/b. My drawings were so crap though, storyboard I mucked up a lot. My **** stickmen.

[Karma]

Hey I had my Media exams on Thursday and Friday! I finished Task 1,2,3 to my best capability and then Task 4 came and I was short on time, so I just did 6shots and labelled it all without colouring them in! :(

I wish I had more time

Amit

[Throne Sofa]

I didn't colour mine in, and don't they scan them too? So the colour wouldn't really show?