Always Sunny in Philadelphia Episode 5, Series 1 Gun Fever- Narrative/Genre

• Watch complete episode of Always Sunny in Philadelphia Episode 5, Series 1 Gun Fever
• Make notes on narrative / genre

Key terms:

Black Comedy -  style that makes light of subjects that are generally considered serious or taboo.

Task 1:Narrative – Make detailed notes on the narrative events and the order in which they are presented. Make note of what appear to be the most dramatic or significant moments in the narrative. Also make note of how each programme begins and ends (equilibrium).

Task 2: Narrative Characters – Make detailed notes on the main characters (who they are, what part they play in the plot etc) and notes on the function of minor characters also, in the plot.

Task 3:. Genre – Make detailed notes on the codes and conventions of the genre. Additionally look for where the genre has been treated in an unconventional way. 

You should show that you understand how Drama works but research and make notes first,

Genre: Black Comedy in Media

Black comedy or dark comedy is a comic style that makes light of subjects that are generally considered serious or taboo

Conventions of black comedy:

• ·         Race
• ·         Taboo issues
• ·         Contrapuntal music
• ·         Shot from a hand held camera
• ·         Low production budget

Issues dealt with in black comedy:

• ·         violence (murder, abuse, domestic violence, rape, torture, war, genocide, terrorism, corruption),
• ·         discrimination (chauvinism, racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia),
• ·         disease
• ·         anxiety, depression, suicide
• ·         drug abuse,
• ·         disability, terminal illness,
• ·         sexuality
• ·         religion

Sitcom Conventions