Genre Research Activity #2

Comedy

Genre Conventions- content- I have often realized that in most cases in comedic films, the humor is at the expense of usually one specific character. Making jokes only toward one person or group of people and not as much of an “equal playing field” in regards to who executes and who receives the jokes and comedic situations. Great script writing is very critical in moving the story through and still appealing to audiences and keeping them laughing even in slow quiet scenes meant to be serious to relieve a strong comedic tension.

Genre Conventions- production- Usually comedies are low budget as they main sell to the audience isn't the production design or stunts, etc. but it's rather the jokes and script that sell the film. Also, having common name comedians (Adam Sandler, Will Farrell, and Zac Galifianakis), occurring in many comedies in a year or within a few years is very common practice. In marketing and promoting comedy films, it is normal to see the main characters of the film on the cover to promote the film to a large audience who a majority may like the popular main character.


Film sample #1 – Blazing Saddles (1974)-Since first watching “Blazing Saddles” it has been set as my favorite comedy film of all time by far, and possibly one of my favorite films in general. Having big name comedic actors such as Gene Wilder and Cleavon Little and Mel Brooks star in the film really attracts to their target audience and having those actors appear on the film poster also helps to quickly share with the viewers, that all these comedy stars are in one film. I believe that the endless jokes whether bold or subtle are key components of how the film flows from scene to scene. This film was released in the 1970s just after the Civil-Rights movement and Vietnam, and director Mel Brooks is known for making bold statements in unorthodox ways. The film was of a strong interracial friendship and Brooks makes sure all groups and characters receive jokes and nobody and no one is left out.


Film sample #2 – Airplane! (1980)- I am personally a strong fan of witty comedy and those films who quietly mock other films; both Blazing Saddles and Airplane! are examples of these. I can easily see intermittent parts of other genres of films put into “Airplane!” such as melodramas, and other disaster films, or other common airplane dramas. One of the stars of Airplane Leslie Nealson is a popular comedic and parody actor who is the star of The Naked Gun series. There are other household names who appeared in the film such as NBA start Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. This film had a surprisingly low budget of $3.5 million with no elaborate set but rather focusing on the actors, and story. “Airplane!” was written and directed by three friends from the University of Wisconsin, David Zucker, Jim Abrahams and, Jerry Zucker. The story for the film is based on “Zero Hour” which shares a similar plot and message but is a parody to make fun of similar movies. In my opinion, this film works to reference all different genres and subjects and tries to make jokes and parody them with great writing and actors and actresses.


List of 5-7 other film examples within the genre-


)Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgandy (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0357413/?ref_=nv_sr_

Animal House (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077975/?ref_=kw_li_tt )

Hangover (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1119646/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 )

Dumb and Dumber (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109686/?ref_=nv_sr_1 )

Get Smart (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0425061/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1)

Caddyshack (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080487/?ref_=nv_sr_1)