SM4110/SM5318 Understanding Drama in Media Comedy

What is Comedy? We all want fun  drama is fun!  drama can be fun!  Life is tough. We need some outlet!

What is Comedy? “Comedy is tragedy done ten times faster!”  comedy is about timing! Example: A:How’s your gorgeous girl-friend? B:She’s no longer my girl-friend. A:Don’t give up hope. I still see her hanging around with guys a lot. Boy! She’s hot! B:She’s now my wife.

What is Comedy? “Comedy is other people’s tragedy” – William Shakespeare Comedy is not so personal (to audience), not “as real”, not “so serious”  No threat  Still with suspense and tension + great timing

What is Comedy? Comedy is fantasy & surprise  Often start with a crazy idea Principle since ancient Greeks Example: – Modern Times, The Private Eyes ( 半斤八兩 ), Shaolin Soccer ( 少林足球 ), After Hour, Taxi Driver…

Comic Character Comedy is about people who are:  “smaller” than us  “lower” than us  “shorter” than us  “less good” than us  “less human” than us No psychological threat to us  Safe distance

Comic Character Comedy is exaggeration (over / under) Comic action / behaviour:  Walk, talk, look, move…  Often stereotype / anti-stereotype  Gives rise to “slapstick / physical comedy” Example?  Chaplin  許冠文 (Michael Hui)  周星馳 (Chow Sing Chi)  All great comedians…

Comic Plot Comedy is fantasy based on reality  Topping the joke –  add an unexpected ending  “Logical” deduction –  trace an internal logic with a little twist  Example:  If machine can help us work, it can help us eat… – eating machine scene in Modern Times

Comic Plot Comedy is tripping & toppling:  People we want to trip / trick  Bad jokes that don’t hurt much – even if were true  Ways we want to see otherwise Example:  The Great Dictator, King of Comedy ( 喜劇之 王 ), Wedding Banquet ( 喜宴 )

Comic Plot Comedy is attitude & POV  Parody  Wit  Winning with joy  Gives rise to comedy of manners, light comedy…

Comic Plot Comedy is mismatch & mistake:  Mismatch of timing  Mismatch of event  Mismatch of personality / relationship  Mismatch / violation of “normal causality”  Mistake (duality) of meaning Example: Wedding Banquet ( 喜宴 ), Goodbye Girl…

Comic Plot Comedy is about warmth, about love Comedy is release of emotion  Comic release in tragedy  Example?

What is Comedy? What is Comedy? Comedy is hard work & discipline behind laughter! Many comedians are damn serious in real life!

What is Comedy Let’s see!