A Fan Favorite: Comedy

Comedy

The genre of comedy is widely utilized as a form of enjoyment, bringing together families and friends for a gasp of fresh air, allowing the viewer to forget all their worries and let loose. Not only do comedy productions elicit relief and relaxation, but also is an attempt to help us forget our issues we are dealing with in reality, an escape for a period of time where we can enjoy the light heartedness that many comedy films present. 

Typically comedy appeals almost equally to both males and females, but more specifically, the age group of 15-24 year olds. This being said, comedy still greatly appeals to those in older age groups, just the vast majority of viewers are 15-24 years old. 

The content of comedy films and productions are almost all similar in their conventional ways of the type of people they include, the setting in which they are filming, and the props they use. All of these are vital to producing comedy content as they shape the way it is presented to the audience. There are a certain type of people that are usually in comedy content and are typically what makes the film the comic relief that it is. For instance, Robin Williams or Steve Carrel are two famous actors who act in a plethora of comedy shows. Foolish and silly people are usually used in contrast to how “normal” people are. This contrast in characteristics between the two different kinds of characters exemplifies how ridiculous the foolish characters are. There are also instances, such as in The Big Bang Theory, where comedy is exemplified by smarter, more intelligent people. This type of humor is essential to include these above average people as it adds to the overall comic relief. The props used in comedy content are also essential in how their typical functions aid in eliciting humor. To be specific, objects such as a tennis ball that could hit an actor on the head, causing pain, overall add to the humor of the scene. Props also add something to a perhaps otherwise boring scene, allowing the characters to express themselves in a different way other than speaking. The setting of a film in the comedy genre is typically in bright, vibrant, lively places that the viewers may be familiar with. Many times similar locations are used in various films, all depending on the content of the film that you are trying to achieve.

The production techniques used in comedy films such as lighting, camerawork, and sound all play an impactful role in the atmosphere of the scene. In terms of lighting, for the content that the viewer is watching to be more relatable and life like, the area will likely be brightly lit. Natural lighting is one of the most common ways to achieve a natural and relatable atmosphere. Techniques such as low key lighting would not work for comedy content as the vibe being given off is less light and cheerful and more serious and intense. The camerawork typically is more natural, composed of more mid-shots and two-shots and less intense shots and angles such as the dutch angle or the extreme close-up shot. The camera movement is typically more fluid and less precise as it is in other genres. Another major production technique used is diegetic sound, where dialogue and typical environment sounds are incorporated largely into the film. Sound from the narrative world is the typical route producers use in comedy production. 

Comedy, being one of the most popular and high in demand genres, it has to also be marketed correctly and to the right audience. Comedy productions are usually marketed through their previews that entail a character doing a comedic action or saying something humorous. By including these phrases and actions in the previews of the films, people are instantly drawn to it through curiosity. Mostly it is people wondering “What happens to him? How did he end up in such a weird situation?”. For instance, Hollywood typically includes aspects of the film that are the funniest and that people watching can relate to most, therefore inclining them to view the film.

A strikingly important aspect to the institutional conventions of how comedy is marketed is through the actors in the films. There are standard actors that you solely associate comedy with. Specifically actors like Adam Sandler, Will Ferrell, Jim Carey, Ben Stiller, or Edie Murphy, and the list goes on… When the film poster for a comedy movie is released, there will typically be something crazy going on that intrigues the viewer or actors that are easily associated with comedy that will draw the viewer in. For instance, when you see Adam Sandler on a movie poster, there is a characteristic that is imposed on him of comedy and funny. This is what Hollywood and other producers do purposefully knowing what their audience likes to see and who they like to see act those specific roles. Here are three different comedy movies that Adam Sandler has acted in. Clearly each film poster is of an unusual and intriguing action that Adam Sandler is doing, fully drawing the audience in.

Embodying The Genre: 

Daddy’s Home (2015), starring Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg is a classic comedy movie that is also relatable. Will Ferrell plays the role of a stepfather to two children who he adores and tries to make the perfect life for. When their real dad, played by Mark Wahlberg, Dusty, shows up, he attempts to take over the household again through his machismo attitude and “bad-guy” status. The movies plot develops as we see the “normal” man, played by Will Ferrel constantly make a fool of himself to the “manly” man Dusty. Will makes a fool of himself constantly, eliciting the comedy in the movie, as well as his attempt to match Dusty’s standards of a cool dad. The two guys end up being good friends and neighbors. Throughout the film, there was no heavy artificial lighting nor no nondiegetic sounds. The dialogue and actions of the actors carried the majority of the film, displaying the comedic genre perfectly.

Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), starring Robin Williams and Sally field captivated the essence of a light hearted comedy film. Robin Williams, arguably one of the most influential actors in the comedy field played himself as Daniel and also Mrs. Doubtfire, the housekeeper that his ex-wife would eventually hire. Through this role he played in the movie, he was able to still see his kids on a regular basis without the mother knowing. In this movie, props were vital in creating the character of Mrs. Doubtfire. The old dresses and the blonde wig she wore soon became part of her character. Also, the idea that Robin Williams was going to play a female role was an extra intriguing factor. Multiple scenes such as the pool scene where Mrs. Doubtfire pelted a fruit at his ex-wife’s boyfriend’s head created the humor the movie is best known for. The idea itself of Miranda, played by Sally Field, talking to and becoming close with a lady whom little did she know was actually her ex-husband also added to the humor. The audience knew something about the situation at most times that actors in the movie did not know of.

I strongly recommend these films as well: