Oriana's AICE Media Blog: Comedy Research

“Dearest gentle reader,” - Bridgerton

Today’s objective is to dive into a specific genre that I usually like to watch, however, it will be more based on the research I have done. Such a genre is…comedy!

Genre:

The literal definition of comedy is that it is a drama whose purpose is to amuse individuals. Certainly, its purpose is accurate for the film world too. In film, comedy is described as being a genre that is designed to make audiences laugh. As comedy is one of the most popular genres, according to statistics around 64% of individuals in 23-24 used to watch comedies the most. Additionally, these films are found to be within the areas of light-hearted dramas, entertainment, and enjoyment. Part of the main component of comedy films is the narrative must end well, with the so-called “happy ending”.

In the case of comedies, they gravitate to have a wider range of target audiences depending on the type of comedy that is being created. Films such as animated comedies aim to be targeted at younger children and overall families. On the other hand, overall comedy is more towards the ages of 15-24. As well as romantic comedies known as rom-coms tend to be targeted at women (gender) between the ages of 25-44.

Conventions:

Slapstick is a type of comedy used which is based on a style of humor that involves an exaggerated amount of physical activity compared to the regular physical activity in usual comedy. This convention at times involves intentional violence and props are used to assert the purpose intended.

Ex. Home Alone is an example of the usage of slapstick, as the main character (Kevin) creates multiple traps in the house which cause exaggerated and intentional falls, and hits that lead to the creation of humor.

Irony/Parody is another factor used in different movies as either the base of it or the whole point of the film. Usually, this is a big part of comedies as it is normally expected to be in the movies since ironic situations such as quotes help to create the comedic scene. The process of implementing irony is by including contrasting situations between reality and expectations. Nonetheless, parodies relate to imitating genres or works but add the exaggeration factor which is key all over the board.

Ex. Scary Movie is an example of how comedy parodies are created, in this case, a mix of horror and the comedy factor included.

Production techniques:

Production in comedy films is divided into multiple factors such as lighting, timing, sound effects, and camera techniques. All of these are important to put together a good film.

In regards to lighting, comedies have a distinct way of being produced. These films incorporate bright lighting as well as enthusiastic colors which help to reflect the atmosphere/tone that needs to be conveyed such as lighthearted. It allows viewers to sense the movie as welcoming due to the way it looks.

Timing is another important factor of comedy productions as it helps to convey the message correctly. A small pause or no pause can make a difference in how the audience perceives the pun/joke the actor is trying to deliver. Camera techniques go along with the timing used in the films. Multiple shots are usually used such as long shots and close-ups, long shots reveal the whole picture when showing full-body physical actions. Close-ups are the opposites that show the exaggerated expressions and help with comedic timing.

Sound effects can also help to further develop the way the production is understood. The sound commonly is exaggerated to increase the feeling of the movie; it helps to highlight the physical actions and is mainly used in slapsticks. Just as previously shown, Home Alone is an example of sound effects used to enhance the way the movie is comprehended.

Marketing:

For comedies, the marketing typically changes depending on the type of comedy. For example, rom-coms often use ideas that resonate with younger audiences. Within the topic of younger audiences, companies utilize social media apps in which they create profiles of the movies in which they interact with the audience to promote the movies. The content produced such as posts, posters, and trailers traditionally include bright colors and bigger fonts which help to create a more vivid and catching visual. Frequently the visuals include the actors in their facial expressions or poses that are humorous or exaggerated. Additionally, there might be jokes included or quotes that were seen and popular in the movie, making it a reference from the movie.

Samples:

Film sample #1 - 17 again (2009)

The film 17 again (2009) features Mike O’Donnell who is played by Zac Effron (young Mike) and Matthew Perry (older Mike). The narrative is based around a high school storyline just like the name says “17 again”. Mike begins as older Mike and then his midlife situation is revealed (problems with wife, career, and kids). Later on, a mysterious janitor is found on the way which leads Mike to become his 17-year-old self. This means that it gave him a chance to experience his high school years once again.

This film includes a good representation of comedy due to the concept that was involved. The content itself makes the comedy which includes an entertaining and lighthearted story as the theme of family is presented throughout the film. The comedy is implemented by the contrast of the ages between the 17-year-old self and the older self. This is completed as the story includes moments in the 17-year-old self with his kids who are around the same age, the awkward moments in the schools, and these encounters are the ones that create certain comedic moments.

Within the marketing technique, the poster includes the main character as the younger self seen as the usual “messy” high school boy. Also, the title of the movie is in bolded and the 17 in red which could be to emphasize the important age in the film.

Film sample #2 - Bruce Almighty (2003)

Bruce Almighty (2003) starts with Jim Carrey as the main character Bruce; Bruce is a reporter who has been having frustrations in his life and feels that things are not going quite well. In addition, there are characters like God, Grace Connelly, and Evan Baxter which are a part of what makes the film come together. The main content of the film is the life of Bruce when God gives him powers just like the ones that God has and he starts to experience this other type of life in which he starts making certain decisions that should not be made…

Furthermore, within the production techniques, it uses mise-en-scene techniques regarding lighting as high-key lighting to make the scenes in which God shows up seen as heavenly. For other factors, the reactions presented by Bruce help to embody the genre of comedy and create laughing/funny moments.

The poster shows the main character representing his “silly” side due to his facial expression, while also implementing the “heaven” side of the movie by using the clouds in the background and the almighty being in red/bold to show the most important event in the film.

If you enjoy comedy, here are some recommendations: