Research into genre of romantic comedies.

1. - Background of the genre
- Key Components
- Famous examples
- Audience Research

2. The genre of rom-coms really started in the early 1930’s with the release of
Trouble in Paradise in 1932, however the concept of romantic comedies
really began with Shakespeare adding humour to the typical romance plays
eg. Midsummer Nights Dream and Romeo and Juliet.
From then on the typical ‘meet cute’ style rom-coms continued with the
future couples paths meeting at the beginning of the film in an awkward or
amusing situation and then the romance developing throughout the rest of
the movie.
However in the 1990’s, the genre took a new direction with the amusing but
quite dormant romances of previous rom-coms being replaced with more
sexually charged narratives such as that of ‘When Harry Met Sally’ in 1989.
More modern film studios have started to break the typical conventions of
the rom-coms and venture into sub-genres and complex topics, examples of
which include one night stands, pregnancy’s, or failed marriages however
all are taken light-heartedly and usually have a happy ending.

3. Rom-Com
Conventions
‘Boy meets girl’
Inevitable/predictable
ending
Centered around
female character
Two
Protagonists
Humour
Familiar
Soundtrack
Urban
Environment
Winter
Setting
Colour themes
Red/white/pink
Light-hearted
Tone
Familiar
Soundtrack

5. Social GroupSocial Group
• Mainly female
• Young eg. 16-40
• As most are set in urban cities
of America or UK, they
most appeal to English
speaking countries eg.
USA, UK, Australia
Audience MotivesAudience Motives
• To be entertained – the genre
is comical and therefore
makes the audience laugh
• To find humour in an
experience similar to their
own
•
Media GroupMedia Group
• Romantic novel or comedy
reader
• Prefers light-hearted
narratives
• May watch sit-coms eg.
Friends, Sex and the City
•

6. Social GroupSocial Group
• Mainly female
• Young eg. 16-40
• As most are set in urban cities
of America or UK, they
most appeal to English
speaking countries eg.
USA, UK, Australia
Audience MotivesAudience Motives
• To be entertained – the genre
is comical and therefore
makes the audience laugh
• To find humour in an
experience similar to their
own
•
Media GroupMedia Group
• Romantic novel or comedy
reader
• Prefers light-hearted
narratives
• May watch sit-coms eg.
Friends, Sex and the City
•