'Sabrina The Teenage Witch' textual analysis

Format: Sitcom
Created by: Nell Scovell (based on the characters created by Dan DeCarlo and George Gladir)
Original run: September 27, 1996 – April 24, 2003




Camera, Editing, Sound, Mise-en-scene:
Sabrina The Teenage Witch doesn't use animation or cartoon as the main style for the intro to the programme and throughout the piece, the audience can establish there is theme of 'magic' to the drama.

- non-diegetic background music creates a 'magic-like' atmosphere and no diegetic sound is used
- the title sequence is quite fast paced
- there is a continuous change of setting throughout, reinforcing the use of magic/spells to create the quick change
- Sabrina is the only character seen, the other characters part of the drama are introduced over the shots and as mid-shots only, to keep the focus on Sabrina
- other characters are also shown for a short period of time - 4/5 seconds each
- a teen orientated audience is suggested through the character's age and her clothing; when the location switches to night, Sabrina is wearing a 'going out' dress
- special effects/CGI are used to reinforce the magic, e.g when the location changes and other locations appear
- the camera pans Sabrina as she walks to ensure the focus is kept on her
- many of the shots show more than one Sabrina, which not illustrates her importance, but again, creates the 'magical' feel
- the title sequence ends with the camera zooming slightly into Sabrina and then a change of setting - her bedroom - connecting the audience with the character

Sabrina The Teenage Witch continuously follows the theme of 'magic' in the introduction, which engages the audience as they are able to recognise the type of narrative that this drama will follow. Additionally, the pace and constant change of location allow the audience to engage with the character and the setting of the programme.

Out of all of the other children's TV drama title sequences that I analysed, Sabrina The Teenage Witch has the most filming - rather that using animation or cartoon to engage with the audience and attract attention, the 'real' setting and character(s) have been established.

This title sequence has underlined to me that a theme must be established to allow the audience to recognise the theme of the narrative - in this case 'magic'. Additionally, not a great deal of movement/action is used to keep focus on the character.