Media Studies Portfolio: Comedy Research Blog-Hailey Goff

Comedy

Genre conventions – content

The setting of a comedy film depends on the specific movie but usually the film takes place in bright places, towns, cities, and well populated areas. Teen comedies are often in high schools or small towns while social comedies take places in bars or a home. Comedies are based on bright colors like blue, green, and yellow. Lighting is usually bright also these films usually go throughout one day or day to night, making it clear to the audience. The character development throughout comedy movies are typically idiots, blonde, clumsy, very social people who talk a lot which creates humor or regular people with sarcastic moments. The makeup that's shown in comedy films is also usually more clean and colourful as opposed to the gritty, darker coloured makeup. This make-up technique is also used to set the tone of the film, making it seem more light hearted and positive. There are often two main characters in which one of them “the sidekick” will add comic relief to the film. The narrative of these films are often multi-strand which is several storylines going on at the same time. Comedy themes are often Gross-out, anarchic comedy, parody, romantic comedy, Screwball comedy, and slapstick. Satire is often used in these film, Satire works to mock and attack another person.

Genre Conventions- production techniques

Production techniques in the comedy genre of films are very specific. To start, the camera angles are close-ups to capture characters expressions, mid shot to capture stance and background, long shots focus on location of the characters which may be of importance to the plot, a zoom between shots can be used in humour, such as long shot to close-up showing a characters responding expression, or a close-up to long shot to reveal odd location or costume. For the editing process, these movies are often made with fast cut editing. Usually no special effects are used because these films typically take place in a real life situation. The sound used in comedy films are upbeat and happy because these movies are made to make the audience happy and laugh. A deliberate wrong choice of music genre for a scene could also be used to create a comedy moment. There may also be some use of slapstick sound effects when someone is injured.

Film/magazine sample #1

21 Jump Street (2012)

The comedy 21 Jump Street created in 2012 directed by Phil Lorde and Chris Miller fully embodies the genre of comedy in every way. The film takes place in a high school which is for age groups around 17-25. The main character has a sidekick in which lightens the mode and brings relief to the film. The editing within the film is fast cut and long shots which focus on the location of the characters. Sarcasm and satire are used throughout the whole movie which brings the laughter from the audience. The film goes from day time to night time making it clear to the audience.

Film/magazine sample #2

Bridesmaids (2011)

The film Bridesmaids was filmed in 2011 and completely embodies the comedy genre. To start the characters are dumb blondes and social people who talk a lot with sarcasm through the film. The film is from day to night and focuses on two different things happening at once. This movie is about a single woman whose own life is a mess, but when she learns that her lifelong best friend, she has no choice but to serve as the maid of honor. Comedy often makes jokes out of a terrible situation which is shown throughout this whole film.

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