Sitcom tropes and conventions for creatives
1) It’s Not My Fault In the advert world, characters have problems. Those problems are solved by products or services. The end. In sitcom land, characters have problems. Those problems are NOT solved by products or services. The person still has a problem – themselves. In adverts, flawed people are in trouble. Sensible, happy people …
Continue reading “Help For Frustrated Sitcom Writers: How Sitcoms Are Different to Adverts”
It’s easier to have a character that represents what you DON’T want than what you DO want. Sitcom characters, because they’re flawed and represent an imperfect life, are useful because they’re relatable. We’re all flawed. We’re all a mess. The solution to that flaw in a sitcom (or in real life) is self-awareness. Knowing that …
The case for using a ready-made character from the world of sitcom is given a big boost by a number of adverts using People Just Do Nothing’s street trader entrepreneur ‘Dhal Boy’ Chabuddy G. So we have five episodes: The One With The Nike Trainers The One With The GQ Cover The One With The …
Continue reading “Characters – Off The Shelf or Do It Yourself? 2) Chabuddy G”
I Wish I’d Bought It With Klarna Ok, so this isn’t strictly sitcom territory, but it looks as though it could be, so here goes. Celeste Barber, the Queen of Instagram, famous for recreating Insta poses, has done three one-minute episodes of a spoof consumer-rights show for Swedish bank Klarna. If you didn’t know, and …
Elvie follows the lead of Rick and Morty and Apple and Onion while Sofology’s Owen Wilson is back to doing what he does best… nothing (in the nicest possible way). Tech company Elvie have taken the problem of a leaky bladder head on with their three-episode animated campaign, creating a girl-next-door in Bobo and her …
Continue reading “Two Sitcom Staples: The Odd Couple… And the Sofa (Again)”
Sitcom in Advertising