This document outlines some common conventions of film comedy. It discusses settings that are commonly used like schools, homes, and bars. It also describes technical elements like camera work that captures the environment and characters' expressions. Common iconography includes bright colors, lighting during daytime, and props that could be used for comedy. Character types are also outlined, such as idiots, socially awkward characters, and regular people around whom accidents occur. Finally, it lists themes like anarchic comedy, gross-out, parody, romantic comedy, screwball comedy, and slapstick.

1. CONVENTIONS OF FILM
COMEDY
By Michael Compton & Joshua Paterson

2. D.I.S.T.I.N.C.T
 Don’t
 Ignore
 Setting
 Technical
 Iconography
 Narrative
 Characterisation
 Themes

3. SETTINGS
 Dependent on the type of comedy.
 Generic places: Bright places, Towns, cities, Well populated areas.
 Teen comedy: High schools, Small towns.
 Social comedy: Homes, Bars.

4. TECHNICAL CODE
 Camera is very natural and goes along with the characters. Can do
high shots to capture the whole environment.
 Medium shots to catch all of the characters expressions.
 Editing sounds to add humour

5. ICONOGRAPHY
 Bright colours, blue and yellow are used often
 Lighting is often bright, shot during day time
 Props include footballs, golf clubs etc. high chance of comedic
use.

6. ICONOGRAPHY

7. CHARACTER TYPES
 Idiots, very stupid, very accident prone
 Smart people, socially awkward
 Regular people, accidents occur around them. They can be
sarcastic.

8. CHARACTER TYPES

9. THEMES
 Anarchic comedy
 Gross-out
 Parody
 Romantic comedy
 Screwball comedy
 Slapstick

10. THEMES