MEDIA STUDIESMEDIA STUDIES

‘‘The Controlled Test’The Controlled Test’

May 2008May 2008

What is the controlled What is the controlled test?test?

A series of tasks, worth 120 marks in A series of tasks, worth 120 marks in total, about TV Sitcomstotal, about TV Sitcoms

You will be prepared for the test over You will be prepared for the test over the next three monthsthe next three months

I will receive the actual tasks in AprilI will receive the actual tasks in April You will undertake the tasks in May, You will undertake the tasks in May,

over 3 hours (two sessions) – these are over 3 hours (two sessions) – these are in exam conditionsin exam conditions

You cannot take your notes in with youYou cannot take your notes in with you

Get creative:Get creative:

So much has been done already – So much has been done already – can you be original?can you be original?

Think of a situation/ location for a Think of a situation/ location for a new GB or US sitcomnew GB or US sitcom

‘‘Pitch’ it to us, explaining why a TV Pitch’ it to us, explaining why a TV channel/ network should ‘back it’channel/ network should ‘back it’

What makes it unique?What makes it unique? You will also need to think carefully You will also need to think carefully

about ‘audience’…about ‘audience’…

Independent Independent research:research:A great web site:A great web site:

www.sitcom.co.uk/british_sitcwww.sitcom.co.uk/british_sitcom.shtmlom.shtml

For the US For the US context:context:

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

Today:Today:

‘‘CHARACTERS’CHARACTERS’

Character:Character:

Choose a character from the Choose a character from the sitcom(s) you researched last lessonsitcom(s) you researched last lesson

Tell me as much as you can about Tell me as much as you can about themthem

Main character? Supporting Main character? Supporting character? Values? Relationships? character? Values? Relationships? Stereotype? Do they change? Stereotype? Do they change? Realistic or caricature? Can we Realistic or caricature? Can we identify with them? What else?identify with them? What else?

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