The input screens for our new database are nearly ready (should be ready to go live late next week) so, contributors, you'll be pleased to hear you'll soon be able to start submitting any guides you've already finished writing directly to our database (and those of you willing to be versatile researchers can finally begin your researching!)
One problem is I've lost my notebook... I'm pretty sure I've missed out some fields I was supposed to be including. I'm hoping some of you can come up with suggestions for what I've missed. Obviously I want to make sure all fields are available before we go live with the input screens otherwise there's going to be a lot of backfilling to do later.
Here's what I've currently got:
- Name and any Alternative Titles
- Year Started / Ended (e.g. 1981 - 1992)
- Channel(s) (e.g. BBC3)
- Episodes / Series / Specials Counts
- Genre (e.g. Sitcom, Panel Show etc)
- Synopsis (Short and Long Versions)
- Production Company or Companies
- Soundtrack Info
- Filming Location(s)
- Related comedies
- -
- Indicators for: Animated, Kids, Radio Transfer
- Filming Style: Live Studio, Studio, Location, Fly on Wall... can anyone classify this better?
- Laugh Track: live audience, via screening, canned, various methods, none
- Main setting (e.g. Office / Pub / Family Home)
- Sitcom Classification: Family, Community or Workplace
- Sitcom Classification: Character Led or Situation Led
- Film: Age Classification
- Film: Box Office Position
Any suggestions on what I'm missing or might be worth recording as well as the above? Is there anything you've needed to know about a comedy in the past but haven't been able to find?
To remind you - this database will initally be for all TV comedies (from sitcoms through to comedy dramas, via panel shows etc); Radio comedies and also comedy films produced in Britain.
Note 1: If you're looking at this list and regretting saying you'd like to become a contributor - don't worry the majority of these fields are just optional!
Note 2: the above is just for the main database table. There's hundreds more fields relating to Cast and Crew, Characters, Episodes, Scenes, Articles, Web Links, External Content, Video Clips, Quotes, Awards, Trivia, Reviews, Merchandise and more in the database too... I've not mentioned them here as I'm pretty sure these areas are comprehensively covered in the new database.
Mark
BSG Editor