Portfolio Project Genre #1

This blog post marks the very first post that directly relates to my portfolio project! I am very excited to be starting this project and am looking forward to what I can create. Starting off this project thought, I must research some genre conventions, so that, when I create my portfolio, I can match the conventions to make a product that everyone can relate to.

 The first film genre I wanted to research was Comedy, which I have taken an interest in when researching for this project.

 Comedy is a incredibly variable genre when it comes to who the genre actually targets. There are also many different types of comedy that target a large range of age demographics. For example, Dark Comedy may be targetted more towards teens or young adults, while slapstick humor may be more targetted towards younger audiences. The truth is, comedy is found within our everyday lives, so, the genre as a whole can be enjoyed by those of every demographic.

Many Comedy films use High School as a basic setting

 Many films about comedy are very similar when it comes to their content. Many comedies take place in everyday life, like bars or high school. By being in everyday locations, the audience can better empathise with the films and relate more to the characters, which increases viewer involvement, causing the humor to be funnier. Also, the content of everyday life is always prone to have comedic moments, so, by having a setting in commonplaces of life, writing comedic moments becomes easier. Many props
also appear throughout the comedy genre like alcoholic beverages, guns, and more, especially in comedic films geared more towards adults. These items make it easier to display comedy because the objects can be considered obscene, which opens the door to a multitude of comedic moments. The primary goal of comedy is to make the audience laugh or smile by highlighting the moments in our lives that may be funny and ridiculous.

A few shots from comedy films that showcase symetrical framing

 Many films about comedy are also very similar when it comes to the various filming techniques they use. Many films typically have similar editing techniques, where cuts are performed at the perfect time to maxmize the comedic effect. Shots are also designed to enhance the comedy through symmetrical
framing, wide-angle lenses, and more. It all depends on the type of comedy the film is striving for, and that dictates what type of filming techniques the director decides to use.

 The Comedy genre also is distinct about their conventional marketing. The marketing ensures a specific narrative image for viewers interested in viewing the film. Typically, marketing includes the use of social media and the use of funny advertisements that resonates with viewers. The type of marketing differs based on the promoted film, yet, they all still follow a similar structure when marketing their films.

  Here are some examples of some films with the Comedy Genre:

                                                                       Superbad(2007)

This comedy film follows two high schoolers who try to sneak alcohol into a party as they try to live the best lives they can before heading off to college. Directed by Greg Mottola, with famous actors, Micheal Cera, Jonah Hill, Emma Stone, and Bill Hader, the film received praise for its raunchy comedy and the formances by Micheal Cera and Jonah Hill during the 2008 awards show season.

 

                                                                Dumb & Dumber(1994)

This comedy film follows two friends who set out on a cross-country trip to return a briefcase to a Women who lost it. But, by the end of the trip, the duo realize that, through their dumb actions, they have much bigger problems than a lost briefcase. The film released in 1994 and was directed by Peter and Bobby Farralley. The film stars Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels, who won the best on-screen duo at the MTV Movie awards in 1995. The film received immense praise and has become a cult classic for many who enjoy comedic films.

Sources:

 Catling, R. (2023, April 10). Conventions of the comedy genre. Robin Catling: Write On. https://robincatling.com/conventions-of-the-comedy-genre

 Farley, J. (2014, January 30). Comedy genre conventions [Slide lecture]. SlideShare. https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/comedy-genre-conventions/31073230

Mottola, G. (Director). (2007). Superbad [Film]. Columbia Pictures; The Apatow Company.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0829482/

Farrelly, P. (Director). (1994). Dumb and dumber [Film]. New Line Cinema; Motion Picture Corporation of America

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109686/?ref_=ttawd_ov_bk