Comedy

Light hearted dramas to provoke enjoyment. Purpose is to entertain and provoke enjoyment.  Comedies often exaggerate the situation, language, action, and characters.

Comedies are usually taken place in light, bright places that are usually for social gatherings.

Many two people, mid shots, long shots, and close ups to demonstrate conversation and reactions. Not much high angles or low angles that are usually used to establish dominance.

Also, multiple establishing shots to show a change in location, new themes, and/or characters.

Diegetic sound. Dialogue needs to be clear to get a response from the audience. Non diegetic sounds can also be used to emphasize certain events.

Natural and bright light to give it a realistic environment. Most but not all the time in daylight, atmospheric lighting ( i.e low key lighting)

Props can be used to add to certain elements of humor. Props very popular in slapstick comedy, mostly because they are used to hurt someone.

Many comedies have similar plot line and end in a teaser for a sequel. Almost always more than one protagonist, as they all go through the story together. Comedies usually contain a wide range of characters such as:

Idiotic Character: very stupid, dopey, accident prone

Smart/Social character: talks most of time

Regular People: makes sarcastic comments

Common Themes:

• Good vs Bad
• Idiocy
• Drugs
• Drinking
• Violence
• Friendship
• Conflict

Types of Comedy:

Slapstick: a lot of physical movements and gestures. Influenced by clowning.

Dark Humor: Disturbing subjects like death, drugs, terrorism, rape, and war

Wit/ Word Play: more intellectual. Based on clever, subtle manipulation of language.  

21 Jump street

Has many of conventional comedy characteristics. For starters, it’s mainly taken place at a high school ( a crowded, social gathering place ). Includes many two person mid shots, especially with the two main characters. No fancy lighting techniques are used. All the lights seems natural based on the setting and environment of that scene. Many props are used such as guns, drugs, and knives.The idiotic character in this case would be Jenko, while the smart, know-it-all would be Schmidt. They also have a person in charge, a person whose orders they follow. The two main protagonist are Jenko and Schmidt as they both go undercover for a case.  The ending of the film is the captain telling the protagonist that they’re going to college. This leaves the audience with a teaser of a second movie.

Mean Girls

A very light-hearted drama, very entertaining. Taken place at a high school, or any social gatherings in relation to that age group of high schoolers such as the mall, parties, and competitions. Only natural lightings, nothing too fancy to establish mood or certain themes. If they were in the cafeteria or mall, it would be presented with natural light, if it were a party it would be much dimmer. Every scene had appropriate, natural lighting based on the setting of the current scene. Not as much props were used, mostly clothing. Used lots of pink to symbolize the majority of the character’s femininity. The idiotic character was Karen and Gretchen Wieners, the know-it-all was Janis and Damian. The main protagonist was Cady Herron and main antagonist was Regina George. The film also has many “regular people” characters that add onto the humor and entertainment. Although the ending did not leave room for a sequel, a Mean Girls 2 was released. However, was not as popular and did not live up to the first one.

Other Comedies: