Genre Research Blog Activity

 

How is it comedy?

      The genre comedy is one of the most consistently loved categories of them all. Comedy has been around from silent films to modern day films, as comedy evolves the main purpose is to entertain the audience and make them laugh. Directors like Mel Brooks and Woody Allen have helped define comedy throughout the years. 

       The majority of comedy films target adults and teenagers, usually between the ages of 15 and 35, some are geared at families or children. This group most likley will look for humorous entertainment that could mirror their own experiences, whether they be romantic relationships, uncomfortable social settings, or the ridiculousness of daily life. For instance, the 2007 movie Superbad, which made over $170 million, was especially well liked by viewers in high school and college because of its accessible humor and themes of coming of age.

        Comedy works because of things that people aren't aware of. The plots of many comedies are overblown, they are based on relatable emotions or relationships. The most of comedies include a main character or a small cast of characters whose conflicts propel the story along. These characters frequently deal with awkward situations, miscommunications, or self-inflicted mayhem, which makes their responses and problem solving humorous. This shows in Bridesmaids, when the conflict between Annie and Helen turns into a comical burst of insecurity, jealousy, and social sabotage, emotions that everyone has felt or gone through at some point in ones life.

         In many of these comedies, the characters always evolve in a type of way. The humor uses a connection and personal development. For example, the idea of repeatedly reliving the same day in Groundhog Day is used to demonstrate Phil Connor's journey from going to selfishness to self-awareness and goes beyond simple humor. Also, to producing humorous timing, the repetition also produces an emotional arc. The comedy works because, despite its absurd idea, the emotional part is taken seriously.

        In production, the genre relies on timing. A little pause before a punchline or a fast cut to a character's expression, for instance, can greatly increase the humor of a scene. Jim Carrey's expressive face and erratic motions serve as the primary source of laughter in comedies such as Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, which heavily include physical comedy, including Jims exaggerated moves, and visual gags.

        Jokes are also subtly supported by sound and music. Awkward pauses or abrupt score changes are common in comedies to heighten the impact of a joke. The lighthearted tone is reflected in the lighting and set design, which are typically brighter and more colorful than in other genres. Cozy city locations and pleasant tones serve to emphasize the comic and emotional interactions between characters in romantic comedies such as "When Harry Met Sally."

         Commercials sometimes feature humorous actors with exaggerated facial expressions or circumstances. For movies with well-known comedians like Melissa McCarthy or Kevin Hart, their name alone serves as a marketing hook. Posters typically have amusing taglines, lively colors, and informal settings. For instance, Airplane! advertised the show's outrageous, spoof-style humor using ridiculous promotional materials, such as a distorted depiction of an airplane.

         Three men must journey back in time to find the groom when he disappears during a bachelor party in Las Vegas in the comedy "The Hangover". A kid in the closet or a tiger in their hotel room are examples of insane circumstances that provide the humor. The film makes use of exaggerated performances, fast paced, and good comedic timing. Young adults going through wild, unpredictable comedy were the target audience for its frantic teasers and ads depicting the night's aftermath.

          The comedy genre is still very popular because of its wide appeal. Comedy films continue to be a classic form of entertainment due to their varied production styles, marketing, and diversity of subgenres.

   SITES USED:

- https://www.bartleby.com/topics/Film-Genre-Essay

- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filmsite

- https://academic.oup.com/edinburgh-scholarship-online/book/12907