Understanding Comedy in Filmmaking

Introduction to Comedy in Film

• Comedy in ancient times: In ancient Rome and Greece, comedy referred to any theatrical work with a happy ending, irrespective of humor.
• Evolution: By the Middle Ages, comedy became explicitly linked to humor.
• Importance in storytelling: Despite its lighthearted nature, comedy is crucial in storytelling.
• Prevalence: Comedic moments exist in various genres like horror and drama.

Comedy Subgenres

• Satire: Uses humor to critique political frameworks, social norms, public figures, etc.
• Romantic Comedy: Humor arises from the experience of finding love.
• Buddy Comedy: Involves two protagonists with complementary or conflicting traits that create humor.
• Farce: Characterized by exaggeration, improbable storylines, and over-the-top characters.
• Black/Dark Comedy: Examines typically unfunny, taboo, or serious topics.
• Blue Comedy: Focuses on vulgar and often sexual subject matter.
• Slapstick: Relies on physical humor, often involving clumsy characters in ridiculous situations.
• Fusion Genres:
  • Action Comedies
  • Horror Comedies
  • Dramatic Comedies (Dramedies)

Creating Comedy Through Writing

• Punch lines: Not just a bunch of punch lines; humor often stems from truth and societal reflections.
• Techniques in writing:
  • Repetition
  • Word Play
  • Verbal Irony
  • Escalation: Taking a real-life observation and exaggerating it to absurdity.
  • Subversion: Creating humor by twisting familiar situations into unexpected outcomes.
  • Meta Comedy: Subverts the form of filmmaking by drawing attention to it.

Visual Comedy Techniques

• Staging Choices: Simple staging can create humor, visible in silent era comedies and beyond.
• Camera Movements: Pans, zooms, and focus shifts reveal new information that can create humor.
• Shot Composition: Can play with expectations or create funny juxtapositions.
• Lighting: Can elevate comedic moments, like strong backlighting for a brawl.
• Production Design: Helps in creating comedic characterizations and gags.

Performance in Comedy

• Types of Performances:
  • Exaggerated: Larger than life characters.
  • Straight Man: Normal person pointing out absurdity.
  • Deadpan: Downplays craziness to highlight humor.

Importance of Editing in Comedy

• Timing: Known as the essence of comedy.
• Techniques:
  • Pregnant Pauses
  • Quick Back-and-Forths
  • Smash Cuts: Creates juxtapositions and funny transitions.
  • Gilligan Cut: Character says something won't happen, but the scene cuts to it happening.

Conclusion

• Subjectivity: Comedy is subjective; what's funny to one may not be to another.
• Create What You Find Funny: The best approach is to create comedy that makes you laugh.
• Studio Binder Tools: Utilize their screenwriting and storyboard software for creating comedy.