'Saved by the Bell' textual analysis

Genre: Sitcom
Created by: Sam Bobrick
Executive producer(s) : Peter Engel
Original run: August 20, 1989 – May 22, 1993 (excluding specials)



Camera, Editing, Sound, Mise-en-scene:

- animation is used predominantly
- begins with the non-diegetic sound of a school bell, suggesting the setting/location of the sitcom
- non-diegetic background music throughout, singing is used, unlike many children's tv drama
- main title appears at the beginning of the title sequence and the end
- bright colours used for the animation to attract attention
- the main characters shown are teenagers, suggesting the target audience
- characters are shown in a 'bubble' over the animation, usually mid shots of the characters and shown for 6/7 seconds each
- they are also shown doing a variety of different things, e.g. talking, playing sport...
- there is a mix of 'geeky' and 'popular' characters which underlines the a range of characters
- three male characters are shown before 3 female characters
- older characters follow after the young characters are shown
- teenage atmosphere - footballs, guitars, sunglasses, fast food etc - hinting towards the narrative
- ends as it began - the main title

Saved By The Bell has a simple title sequence, the only filming used is when the main and supporting characters are introduced, thus showing the audience that the drama is not an animation and institutes the target audience of the piece. Furthermore, the animation also implies the audience and the setting/location of the drama, which is then confirmed through the characters as being located in a school/high school and the non-diegetic sound at the beginning of the title sequence can be recognised as a school bell. Therefore, even though little filming is used for this title sequence, the audience can still recognise the theme, setting and the genre.