Unit 6 Assessment 4

Friends

Content analysis: Friends is an American television sitcom, created

by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, which aired on NBC from September
22, 1994, to May 6, 2004, lasting ten seasons. With an ensemble
cast starring Jennifer
Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa
Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew
Perry and David Schwimmer, the
show revolves around six 20-30
something friends living
in Manhattan. The series was
produced by Bright/Kauffman/Crane
Productions, in association
with Warner Bros. Television. The original executive producers were Kevin
S. Bright, Marta Kauffman, and David Crane.

Kauffman and Crane began developing Friends under the title Insomnia
Cafe between November and December 1993. They presented the idea to
Bright, and together they pitched a seven-page treatment of the show to
NBC. After several script rewrites and changes, including a title change
to Six of One and Friends Like Us, the series was finally named Friends.

Semiotic analysis: this relates to enigma as it means to work out or

decode a message within the programme or film that the director has put
in for the viewer or fans of the programme or film. They can
director can aim the message towards a certain area of
their target audience to make it more
personal to the viewer.
Structuralism: this style would usually be used
within animation or clay motion as it means to
analyse human movement, nature and culture to
help implement it in to the animation to make it look and feel
more realistic and to make sure that the characters move in a realistic
way. As this sitcom is filmed with real people this style and method does
not apply.
Film: this sitcom has never been made in to a film so this does not apply.
Video: as this sitcom is now quite old but still very popular you can now
find episodes and funny clips from the show that are some of the best and
most loved bit from the show on YouTube in the form of short video clips.
 Audio: as this is a TV programme it is
very audio based and it is key in the
programme as it is comedy so without
the audio the audience couldnt hear
the jokes within the sitcom without
subtitles on. When a joke or something
funny happens within the sitcom there
is a laughter effect that is usually added
in by the creators of the sitcom to make the joke standout ore and also to
make it seem funnier to the viewer.
Print: this does not apply to me as I am talking about a visual sitcom.
Digital/TV: the very popular sitcom friends was designed and first aired
on TV in 1994 on the TV network NBC which is known for airing comical
American sitcoms. The friends sitcom
had quite a long life of 10 years and
accumulated 10 overall series which
were sold as a complete box set of 40
disks. The programme was made in
1994 when the quality of filming
wasnt as good as todays standard
some of the older episodes quality
wasnt as good as the ones in 2004 as digital TV and the technology used
was more up to date and resulted in a better filming and broadcasting
quality.
Cinema: this sitcom was made just for the TV network NBC and was
never made in to a film so cinema does not apply for this sitcom.
Radio: as this sitcom is a TV programme radio does not apply.
Internet: as friends became more popular the ways in which you could
view and watch the programme changed and became easier and more
efficient for viewers and fans, one of these ways was via the internet. This
allowed fans to watch any time they wanted and any episode they wanted
which proved a very popular way of viewing this programme as it is easier
for the viewer.
CD/DVD: at first the sitcom was only aired on TV but once the series
came to a end they created a box set of each series which
many fans bought so they had every episode that
was ever aired on DVD so they could watch it
whenever they want and also as a collectors
item to fans of the show.
IPod: when iPod were first made, their main
purpose was to store and play music, most people chose to
get an iPod if they didnt have a lot of space or memory on their phone to
store music and the first IPod didnt have access to the internet or apps
but the new iPod from apple are a lot like their phones but the user cant
make phone calls from it but still has access to the internet and apps.
Mobile/Devices: Most smart phones today have access to the internet as
well as a whole range of apps that the user can download these apps are
the as the sort of apps other devices such as game consoles can
get to watch and catch up with TV programmes they
have missed or just what episodes to pass time. As
mobile phones are very portable and they are one of the
items most people will always have on them they have
quickly become one of the preferred ways to view a TV
programme as it can be done on the go and it is also easy and fast with
the help of applications and the technology that are now put in to smart
phones.
Home computer: A home computer is another device you can watch TV
programmes on but most of the time computer users
dont use applications for this as they will just use the
internet so go on to websites to watch any
programme they want. There are many apps you can
get for a computer but for the most part it is just
easier to use the internet but on a small device
applications usually load faster and can use less dater
so that is why applications on devices are the prefer choice when it
comes to watching TV on a portable device.
Consoles: there are many ways to watch and view this sitcom with one of
them is by using games consoles that can connect to the internet, this is
consoles such as an Xbox or PlayStation as these are devices
that can all connect to the internet and
also have access to applications such
Netflix and IPlayers which allows
people to watch and catch up with
programmes they have missed and it is
all on demand meaning they can watch them
whenever they want. This proves to be
a very popular way of viewing programmes for
many people as they can choose when they watch them as some people
may miss the programmes when it is aired on TV.
Content: the content of this sitcom can sometimes be emotional but for
the majority of the programmes it is all comedy with some real life
situations the audience can actually relate to as this will make the
situation funnier for the audience and can make it more personal
therefore making it funnier if that person has also been in that situation. A
lot of the content includes situations that many people would encounter
when living around all of their friends this also helps to make the
programmes funnier and more relatable.
Style: the style of this sitcom is a American
comedy, this normally
means that the
programmes will include
remote controlled
laughter to outline the
programmes jokes and
humour and is used to try and make the view laugh
along with it. This is primarily found a lot within American
comedy programmes. The style and the way each character acts is meant
to be all the different types of friends that are found within a friend group,
this will help to make the show more personal and appealing to their
target audience as they will relate it to their friend group and can relate to
some of the situations that come up within the show.
Symbolic: is when the programme uses different people and characters
to get a certain point across to the viewer by varying the people they use
when making a certain point. To not
seem racist most programmes will include
white, black or a disabled child within
the film or programme. This sort of happens within friends as in some
episodes they add in different characters that are of a different race or
religion.
Cultural: cultural is to do with the style of content and also the different
cultures they appeal to by using different people to appeal to a wider
target audience. As the show is based in New York there are always many
different characters and people that come in and out of the show
Technical: as this is a show during the editing stages the editor will add
in technical cuts and transitions to make the show seem smoother and
more fluent to watch for the viewer, it also helps to make the programme
look more professional.
Changing over time: as the show has become more and more popular
with a wider age groups the content and jokes within the sitcom has
changed to suit and appeal all their viewers no matter their
age, so this is why making the content of the sitcom
relatable to real life and the target audience as this is
something anyone can understand and relate to
there for making the content of the show suitable
and funny to their whole audience. This is an
example of adapting overtime to keep up with the
change in your target audience and viewers.
Audience: every product that is made whether that is a physical object or
a programme/film all have a target audience they are aimed at, it is better
to aim for a certain target audience
because then you can focus on
the product and how to market it
towards that target audience, I
feel like the target audience for
friends is 15-30 years old which is
a very wide target audience but
the comedy within the sitcom is
very light hearted and is relatable and this is why so many people like the
programme. Because of the wide target audience, the content of the
programme and the way in which it is advertised has to suit and appeal to
this wide range of people.
Ideological Shifts: An ideology is a set of opinions or beliefs of a group
or an individual. Very often ideology refers to a set of political beliefs or a
set of ideas that characterize a particular culture. Capitalism, communism,
socialism, and Marxism are ideologies
Re-definition: this means to redefine a certain thing that has already
come up or been pointed out within a film or show and it is then reinforced
to prove that point the show and director is trying to make and get across
to the viewer and target audience as it may be a vital part to a storyline
so they make sure that the viewer knows what is going in within the show.
Obsolescence: Obsolescence is the state of being which occurs when an
object, service, or practice is no longer wanted even though it may still be
in good working order. Obsolescence frequently occurs because a
replacement has become available that has, in sum, more advantages
compared to the disadvantages incurred by maintaining or repairing the
original. Obsolete refers to something that is already disused or discarded,
or antiquated. Typically, obsolescence is preceded by a gradual decline in
popularity.
Spoof/Parody: A parody or spoof programme or film is basically a
remake of a already made programme or film where the actors turn it in to
a comedy by taking the mick out of the original films content. As this is a
sitcom it hasnt been turned in to a spoof or parody so this doesnt really
apply to my sitcom as it isnt a remake of any programme or film that has
previously been made.
Pastiche: this is a certain style or genre of film making that depends on
lighting and camera angles and it is a way in which film creators can copy
another directors work and get away with it, this is unlike a spoof as the
work that is copied is done more out of respect as the other director
admires the work of another director and tries to implement their style in
to their work.
Narrative: the narrative is the
storyline of the film or programmes,
the storyline doesnt have to follow
on to a previous episode or film but
can be an argument as the viewer
watches it unfold. As this is a sitcom there isnt really a proper storyline
that follows on between each episode as there is always something new
happening and different situations the group of friends face but there is a
situations that does follow on between some episodes.
Single Strand: single stand is a very conventional way of film of film
making as the film will start off with everything okay and then half way
through something then will be fine again at the end, this is a very
conventional way of creating films and there is usually a very moral or a
certain point to get across to the viewer and this is clearly pointed out to
the viewer from start to finish as the storyline develops. Creating a film by
using single strand can leave the films content being predicable in some
cases.
Multi-strand: multi strand can often help to create a more diverse and
interesting storyline to the film or programme as it means that more than
one story can be told at once and con often overlap or meet each other
during the film. Directors usually like to include a voice over during these
style of films to help outline certain parts of the storyline and can help to
make it more easily understandable.
Closed: a closed narrative doesnt follow a conventional film or
programme storyline as it doesnt stick to the beginning, middle and an
end style of film making but will start in the middle of the action and
will result in an ending where everything is fine and how it
should be. This style of film can create a more dramatic
storyline and can be more entertaining to watch for the
viewer as they have to pick the storyline up fast
therefore making more time for a more action packed
film, they will also include flash backs to feed the viewer
information. Friends does not have a proper structure to
it so it wouldnt be classed as a closed narrative.
Open: open narrative basically means that there isnt
really a structure to the storyline and the film or
programmes end is never really concluded and can be left on a cliff
hanger. As friends is a sitcom and is part of a series a lot of the time the
show is left on a joke and doesnt really have an ending or climax to the
show, this can leave the viewer wanting more therefore will return to
watch another episode to see what happens with the characters next.
Linear/Non-linear: the difference between linear and non linear is the
way in which the films storyline is told as linear follows the conventional
way which is a beginning, middle and end. Non linear means it doesnt
follow this conventional storyline and will start in the middle of the film
therefore getting the viewer straight in to the action of the film or
programme and will usually have a
climax and ending that will end with
everything as it should be.
Alternative: alternative is when the film
or programme doesnt follow either the
linear or non linear storyline layout and
just takes its own why in telling the story,
this can sort of relate to friends as the
show doesnt have a proper storyline to each episode as it is meant to be
like you are just watching a group of friends in real life.
Enigma: Enigma is a puzzle or hidden message that has to be worked out
or decoded by the reader or viewer, this can make the content of the
programme or film more interesting to watch as it includes the viewer and
makes them pay close attention to the content of the programme or film.
Theres isnt really any hidden messages or puzzles within the sitcom as
the show relies on its comedy to get and keep the viewers attention.
Climax: climax is a ending to the programme or film as most films or
programmes will come to a conclusion but this doesnt really apply to this
sitcom as it is always continued and the show
normally ends on a joke and rarely on a serious
note. The climax can also be to do with the
highlight or the main part of the show or episode as
the whole episode will revolved around this one
thing and will build up to it throughout the show,
the climax of the show will usually in the middle of the show so there can
be a build-up to in and an end as the characters resolve the situation.
Equilibrium: this when the director sets out to tell a story usually starting
with a different situation but it will usually be resolved by the end of the
film or shows episode, this is sort of like linear as it means there is a
conclusion or result to the ending and any problems that have happened
get solved by the end. Friends sort of works like this as in some episodes
there will be a situation the characters face and have to deal with but by
the end of the episode that problem or situation will have been resolved.
Negative/Positive: negative and positive is to do with the ending to the
climax of the show or film as well as the content throughout the show, this
could be like a marriage or relationship breaking
down and there is both negative and positive parts
within friends as there is breakups and relationships.
Social group: there are different social groups that the sitcom
might target as they could be their target audience and they
will include jokes about different social groups but
they have to make sure not to offend anyone as this could cause problems
and issues for the creators of the popular sitcom
Social issues: within the sitcom they will try and take the mick out of
social issues by using light hearted comedy and this is a way they can
make episodes more relatable to their target audience and can turn bad
situations in to funny ones. As well as this they need to make sure that
they dont upset any viewers by taking the mick out of sensitive issues
that could offend someone.

Stereotyping: within friends they do have

some stereotyping, for example the girls: a
cook, a compulsive cleaner, essentially the
housewife (Monica), an avid shopper,
emotional, (Rachel), the ditzy, promiscuous
blonde (Phoebe).

The boys: a misogynistic, chauvinist who is

somewhat lazy (Joey), the funny one, who uses
humour as a shield (Chandler) and a nerd with a love for
science (Ross). Plus the objectification of women.

They have to make sure that when they create these stereotypes that they
dont offend anyone or say something that could be deemed offensive as this
could get the show in to trouble and this could lose their fans.

Presence and absence: presence and absence is to do with whether a

character is in that episode more not as some viewers can get attached to
a certain character and also depending on their characters input in to the
show and how they act it can totally
change the way in which the show
plays out and feels with that
character in that episode and if they
arent, for example joey is the sort of
gormless guy character buy offers a
lot of comedy to the show with his
stupidity, witty humour and
comebacks in different situations. If
joey suddenly left the show then a some of the shows comedy value
would go and I feel that he would be missed by many fans of the show.
There are some characters that are only in the show for a few episodes,
these are people like some of the characters parents or people they are in
a relationship with, but as these characters dont play a massive role and
dont appear in every episode many fans dont get as attached to these
characters so their absence doesnt effect the shows content that much.