Film Genre: Comedy Entertainment consisting of jokes and sketches, intended to make an audience laugh. It often depicts amusing people or incidents, in which the characters ultimately triumph over adversity or we feel triumphant over them.

Superiority Theory Comedy is often about freedom and status. Laughter can occur when: The audience feels superior to a character A character gains dominance over its superior

Audience Superiority to a Character https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_J8XM1_rOTg

Task Working in pairs, find an example of a modern-day ‘clown’ or ‘jester’ in contemporary TV/cinema Why is this character considered funny? How do the narratives and situations in which the character exists support comedy? What is their relationship with other character? How has the film maker enhanced the comedy? Can you find an appropriate clip to share?

The Clown https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkBQ5IX-XQQ&t=55s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQUgM-iNQAg

Power over our Superiors

Power Over our Superiors

Power Over our Superiors

Power Over our Superiors

Power Over our Superiors https://vimeo.com/55183323 https://vimeo.com/55183323

Power Over our Superiors

Escalation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_QQgz74qpo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulwUkaKjgY0

Task Working in groups of three, create a simple tagline for a comedy situation. Who are the characters? Which character has the authority (or what is the authority)? Conceive a situation in which the authoritative character/system is challenged and brought down the same level authority or lower. Ensure that the situation is not vulgar or violent.

Production Methods for Comedy Camera shots Establishing shot introducing characters, location and scenario Over the shoulder shot to establish direction of dialogue Multiple wide shots and close ups to establish reactions from all characters Wide shots to capture comical event Cut-away shots can be used to capture reactions or events to emphasis comedy. Hi and low angle shots used to demonstrate authority https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQQd6s5gYhk

Production Methods for Comedy Editing Quick editing can exaggerate the chaos of a situation Edit between characters and events to capture the full scenario Ensure audiences have time to react (understand/absorb/laugh) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9RWVEAQeC0

Production Methods for Comedy Mockumentary Allows for a fluid movement that can capture all characters and events Allows audience to feel part of the scenario Cut-away shots can be used to capture reactions or events to emphasis comedy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1PHpkdvNOs

Task Surreal Slapstick Satirical Alternative Black Comedy Observational Parody Sketch Produce a written report on your blogs analysing a genre of comedy. Explain the history of the genre Use examples to describe the conventions of that genre Explain how and why the comedy works Use comparison to further explain Min 500 words Deadline Thursday 9th February