Summary of narratives
As a group we all focused on one Sitcom each, and from this
we wrote down the narrative of the episode we analysed. We can decode media
through the use of a narrative.
Tzetan Todorov realised a structure in a narrative of a
story, the narrative is split into five sections:
- Equilibrium
- Disruption
- Recognition
- Attempt
to repair
- New/return
to equilibrium
Through analysing 4 sitcoms, we found patterns in each story line.
We felt it was important to research into the narrative of a
Sitcom, as it we help us when creating our own 2 minute clip, which should
follow and look the same as other Sitcoms to portray to the audience the genre
we have chosen, is a Sitcom.
Equilibrium of
each Sitcom:
Might Boosh: The opening
scene begins with the characters in the home , one using a hookah pipe. Two of
them in as they have just come back from their own gig. The two characters then
drive to a further location, negatively discussing the success of their gig.
Inbetweeners: The
programme starts with an introduction to the character of will , and his
everyday life as he walks through the school , which then goes to a clip of the
four boys in the car on the way to sixth form.
The IT Crowd: Roy,
Moss and Jen are all at work having a normal day.
Fresh Meat: The
flat mates are sitting around the table eating breakfast and talking.
The pattern we found was each episode starts with everyday life,
through people getting ready for work or college, or even the characters at
work. Each Sitcom starts of very normal and simple. A state of peace/
normality.
Disruption in each
Sitcom:
Mighty Boosh: Following
the characters terrible gig, with people throwing rubbish into their house ,
the two characters head to the black lake. The characters turn up at pub and
are told to go fishing. Vince then is very successful when catching the fish,
unlike his friend. The friend then tells Vince to go back to the pub and leave
him to go fishing by himself. Vince then begins to tell a ghost story and
states “Black Lake”.
The customers and pub staff then tell Vince that there is ‘ghost’ call ‘old
Gregg’ that comes out when the moon is out on the lake.
Inbetweeners: There
is fashion show being held for charity; however there is not enough models for
the show. Will does not agree with the concept of a fashion show.
The IT Crowd: After
Roy and Moss go for lunch, the way
that they have to go to get work is blocked off, so they decide to have the
rest of the day off. As well as that a secret party has been planned for the IT
department.
Fresh Meat: Vod
learns she is going to be kicked out of uni. JP realises his dad’s funeral is
on the same day as his DJ spot. Josie starts binge drinking and sleeping around
which angers Kingley. Oregon
invites Tony to stay, much to Vod’s annoyance it, the two of them argue about
it. Howard finds an embarrassing video of Paul, which JP sends to everyone.
Kingsley and Josie argue over dinner. JP’s slot is given to someone else, and
Ralph claims that he has paid for the whole night himself.
Therefore in the Disruption part it follows the same pattern,
as a problem or conflict is introduced to the narrative.
Recognition of
Disruption:
Mighty boosh: Howard is abducted by ‘Old Gregg’ while out fishing
on ‘Black Lake’
by himself.
Inbetweeners: Will
is asked by the head master Mr Gilberts to take part in the fashion show, will
refuses to, therefore creating a conflict as the head master makes him take
part. Will and the other characters are also asked to take part in the
modelling in the show, Simon is asked, however Jay is not, even though he is
the only one that wanted too. Will is asked to model with charlotte, Simon
models however has a wardrobe malfunction.
The IT Crowd: Moss
gets too excited and starts to glare at strangers and steal the grand design DVD’s
from the shop in the shopping centre, Roy
realises that it was a bad idea to take Moss out of his usual work environment.
Again this follows the same pattern as the disruption has
been noticed by the protagonists.
Attempt to Repair:
Mighty Boosh: Vince rings up his friend explaining that Howard has
been abducted by a se monster. He therefore gets a submarine into the Lake
with Vince and they begin to search for Howard.
Inbetweeners: Will
agrees to take part in the fashion show by collecting money, to resolve the
conflict. He also models with charlotte; he does this to impress the character
of charlotte, in which he is in love with.
The IT Crowd: Roy
and Moss head out of the shopping centre, and head back to work.
The characters begin to change, and realise what they need
to do to resolve the problem.
New/return to
Equilibrium:
Mighty Boosh: Howard is rescued by Vince and his friend in the
submarine. They are then seen performing in the pub, which turns into a
successful gig. They then drive home discussing their success. However ‘Old
Gregg’ is seen on top of the car.
Inbetweeners:
Goes back to everyday life, as the four boys go home together, with a voice
over of will sum up the days events.
The IT Crowd: The
narrative was shown to be resolved at the end of the episode in text.
Fresh Meat: Vod
appeals her expulsion from uni. They all accompany JP to his dad’s funeral. Oregon
breaks up with Tony. Howard tells everyone the embarrassing video is of him, to
save Paul’s feelings, Vod and Tony make up, Vod tells everyone that JP really
paid for the DJ night, and JP stands up to Ralph.
Summary
Therefore the same codes happen
at the end of each Sitcom, the Narrative comes together as the conflict is
resolved. Leaving the audience happy that everything has worked out fine. This
happens at the end of every Sitcom so that a new narrative can begin next
episode. Our story line must include a Equilibrium, Disruption, Recognition of
Disruption, Attempt to Repair and New/return to Equilibrium. To show the genre
of our programme to be a Sitcom.
I also created a table to present my work in a different way:
Summary of Graph:
Patterns and codes. I underlined the key points in each section,
firstly in the equilibrium two of the programmes stared with home and two being
work or school. This shows the pattern of a sitcom starts at home or work ,
therefore our would start at work or school/ college or home depending on the
style of sitcom we decided to do rather ‘work’
sitcom or ‘home’ sitcom. The disruption,
the audience are then made aware of the disruption, however the characters may not,
such as the inbetweeners and characters do not yet know of the disruption. Therefore
in our sitcom the audience could be aware of the problem before the characters
notice it. Recognition: the characters are informed of the problem, either through
a different character or being part of the problem themselves, such as Howard
in the Mighty Boosh as he gives abducted. The most common one is the character realising
and then struggling to come up with a solution. The attempt to repair: this is
a very clear pattern the ‘hero’ of the show comes up with an idea which will
solve the problem and puts it into action. New/return to Equilibrium also
follows the same pattern, the characters resolve the problem and go back to
everyday life, such as the Inbetweeners and Mighty Boosh as they are seen
leaving in car, ready for another episode with a new problem. One thing to
think about is the uses of a voice over such as the Inbetweeners were they use
Will the ‘ hero’ of the sitcom to sum up the days events this might be a good
way to put closure to the episode. The sitcom also ends with a end to the story
, so the audience are felt feeling happy about the outcome , as it’s a light-hearted
way of dealing will issues giving the audience hope when watching , we need to
keep this in mind throughout the whole of our 2 minute video.
Narrative structure
|
Might Boosh
|
Inbetweeners
|
The
I.T Crowd
|
Fresh
Meat
|
Equilibrium
|
The opening scene begins with the characters in
the home , one using a hookah pipe. Two of them in as they have just come back
from their own gig. The two characters then drive to a further location,
negatively discussing the success of their gig.
|
The programme starts with an introduction to the
character of will , and his everyday life as he walks through the school ,
which then goes to a clip of the four boys in the car on the way to sixth
form.
|
Moss and Jen
are all at work having a normal day.
|
The flat mates are sitting at home around the table eating
breakfast and talking.
|
Disruption
|
Following the characters terrible gig, with
people throwing rubbish into their house , the two characters head to the black
lake. The characters turn up at pub and are told to go fishing. Vince then is
very successful when catching the fish, unlike his friend. The friend then
tells Vince to go back to the pub and leave him to go fishing by himself. Vince
then begins to tell a ghost story and states “Black Lake”. The customers and pub staff then tell Vince that
there is ‘ghost’ call ‘old Gregg’ that comes out when the moon is out on the
lake.
|
There is
fashion show being held for charity; however there is not enough models for
the show. Will does not agree with the concept of a fashion show.
|
After Roy and Moss go for lunch, the way that they have to go
to get work is blocked off, so they decide to have the rest of the day off.
As well as that a secret party has been planned for the IT department.
|
Vod learns she is going to be kicked out of uni. JP
realises his dad’s funeral is on the same day as his DJ spot. Josie starts
binge drinking and sleeping around which angers Kingley. Oregon invites Tony to stay, much to Vod’s annoyance it,
the two of them argue about it. Howard finds an embarrassing video of Paul,
which JP sends to everyone. Kingsley and Josie argue over dinner. JP’s slot
is given to someone else, and Ralph claims that he has paid for the whole
night himself.
|
Recognition of Disruption
|
Howard is abducted by ‘Old Gregg’ while out
fishing on ‘Black Lake’ by himself.
|
Will is asked by the head master Mr Gilberts to take
part in the fashion show, will refuses to, therefore creating a conflict as
the head master makes him take part. Will and the other characters are also
asked to take part in the modelling in the show, Simon is asked, however Jay
is not, even though he is the only one that wanted too. Will is asked to
model with charlotte, Simon models however has a wardrobe malfunction.
|
Moss gets too excited and starts to glare at
strangers and steal the grand design DVD’s from the shop in the shopping centre, Roy realises that it was a bad idea to take Moss out of
his usual work environment.
|
|
Attempt to repair Disruption
|
Vince rings up his friend explaining that Howard
has been abducted by a se monster. He therefore gets a submarine into the Lake
with Vince and they begin to search for Howard.
|
Will agrees to take part in the fashion show by
collecting money, to resolve the conflict. He also models with charlotte; he
does this to impress the character of charlotte, in which he is in love with.
|
Roy
and Moss head out of the shopping centre, and head back to work.
|
|
New/return to Equilibrium
|
Howard is rescued by Vince and his friend in the
submarine. They are then seen performing in the pub, which turns into a
successful gig. They then drive home discussing their success. However ‘Old
Gregg’ is seen on top of the car.
|
Goes back to everyday life, as the four boys go home
together, with a voice over of will sum up the days events.
|
The narrative was shown to be resolved at the end of
the episode in text.
|
Vod appeals her expulsion from uni. They all
accompany JP to his dad’s funeral. Oregon breaks up with Tony. Howard tells everyone the
embarrassing video is of him, to save Paul’s feelings, Vod and Tony make up,
Vod tells everyone that JP really paid for the DJ night.
|
