Conventions of Comedy

Use the resources below to help you confidently discuss which specific codes and convention of comedy and/or a sub genre of comedy  you have successful produced. However, much of your K&U of your genre should be drawn from the results of your own research. 


                              

      

Genre and conventions of comedy

Setting: The setting is always dependant on the type of comedy that you want to use. The most common places for a comedy sketch to occur are in bright places, towns and cities that have a welcoming atmosphere. Teen comedies usually occur in high schools and small towns, whereas social comedy usually takes place in people’s houses, pubs and bars.
Camerawork/shots: The camerawork is very natural within comedies as all of the characters are at the same social status and no-one is better than any other character (with certain exceptions). Mid-shots, close-ups and two-shots are used commonly to show the relationship between each character, the reactions to jokes and the main focal point of the story line. With the exception of slapstick comedy which would use long shots and extreme shots to capture the psychical comedy within the text.

Sound: Sound is very important within the comedy genre. Diegetic sound such as dialogue has to be very clear and well presented to make sure that the audience can hear and laugh at the dialogue. Non diegetic sound is also very important, edited sound that is added helps emphasise the event on screen, this induces more laughter, and most common usage of sound within the comedy genre is studio laughter and sound effects (especially in slapstick).

Lighting: The lighting in comedies is commonly quite bright, natural light. This emphasises the reality of the programme or film and makes the audience more intrigued by the characters and setting and creates a more realistic environment. Bright and happy colours are used commonly to show that the scene is happy, such as blue and yellow. The scenes are usually set in daylight.

Props: Props are vital within comedy; footballs, golf clubs and other instruments that may inflict pain on a character in a comedic sense. Props are used most within slapstick comedy because it concentrates mainly on the physical side of comedy.

Character Types: Idiotic people are usually used in contrast with a group of “normal” people, this shows the contrast of the personalities and emphasises the stupidity of the folly character. Also, above average intelligent people are used (such as Big Bang Theory), the comedy is emphasised because they are smart but very socially awkward and unaware of social boundaries with “normal” people. A common attribute within characters is sarcasm.

Type of comedy	Description
Slapstick	This form of comedy uses physical movement and gestures. Physical comedy is often influenced by clowning.
Dark Humour	Deals with disturbing subjects such as death, drugs, terrorism, rape, and war.
Wit/Wordplay	More intellectual forms of comedy based on clever, often subtle manipulation of language (though puns can be crude and farcical).

Sketch Shows

Sketch shows are made up from a series of un-connected short comedy scenes (aka 'sketches' / 'skits'). These shows are normally performed by a small group of actors who play multiple roles. The emphasis is very much on a punch-line or character trait.