2. Typical Locations
• A comedy film is typically located in average, everyday places which
feature high key lighting.
• The use of high key lighting is used for effect, it creates a happier mood
within the scene which allows the audience to relax and laugh at the
characters.
• In addition, comedies are usually filmed everyday locations such as social
areas. This is used to create verisimilitude as the audience can identify
that the film is trying to portray reality. As the characters are usually doing
funny things in real life situations – it makes the audience laugh.
3. Typical Characters
• Comedies usually have stereotypical characters, they use this so that the
audience can identify what genre that the film is.
• Firstly, there is the ‘idiotic’ type of character. This person is known for
making unusual mistakes and often being quite unsociable in certain
situations – therefore causing them to do stupid things.
• The ‘idiotic’ character would usually be then contrasted by the
introduction of a ‘normal’ person; or group of people. The use of this
character is effecting as they are used to highlight how stupid the other
character is – this would then make the audience laugh.
4. Typical Plots/Themes
• Comedy films have many different types of films. Firstly, there is the
romantic comedy. This type of film is generally aimed at couples who are
looking to laugh but is something that they can relate to therefore attracts
their attention. Eg Stuck In Love.
• Next, there are parodies. These types of comedies tend to look at
‘mocking’ or impersonating something in a negative way – which makes
people laugh. These types of comedies are generally TV shows. Eg Modern
Family.
• Lastly, there s observational comedy, this is when the film takes pokes at
everyday life and turns something so average into something humorous.
These types of films are more common as the vast majority of people can
relate to it. Eg Fired Up.
6. Typical Locations
• The typical conventions for a horror films location is a small isolated place,
usually within urban areas. These type of locations are popular within the
horror genre as it usually highlights the victims situation – they are
isolated and have no where to run or hide with no support.
• Furthermore, horror films are usually filmed in dark, cold places such as a
lake at night. The use of location is effective as it creates the mood within
the scene and it usually shows the audience that there is going to be
tension created within the scene. Darkness is usually associated with
death in a horror film, therefore is used for effect.
7. Typical Characters
• Most horror films use the stereotypical characters that feature within the
genre. Firstly, horror films use a heroic character. This character is typically
masculine and big built – however as they’re horrors the good very rarely
beats the evil. Therefore the heroic character usually leaves but doesn’t
come back.
• Next, horror films usually use a ‘hysterical character’. This person is very
dramatic and on edge throughout the film. This helps create tension and
scare the audience a bit more.
• Lastly, horror films also like to use a female character who is innocent to
be victimized. This is stereotypically done within the genre to again make
the audience more scared as they do not want anything bad to happen to
her.
8. Typical Plots
• There are many different types of sub genres within horror which typically
follow similar guidelines to how they are as a film –
• Firstly, there is supernatural horror, this is usually when the good, innocent
characters die and is therefore the brave heroic characters job to try and
fight against evil. Supernatural horror is usually very unrealistic and
features demons and ghosts. Eg The Exorcist.
• Secondly, there is teen horror – which typically includes a group of young
kids. They turn everyday situations into something horrific which attracts
the audiences interest. Eg Texas Chainsaw Massacre
• Lastly, there is the slasher – which is when there is a psychopathic killer
who kills lots of people. Eg My Bloody Valentine
10. Typical Locations
• Crime and gangster films are typically set in an urban area, however often
in run down areas. They are usually filmed within the night when its dark
and often is very isolated.
• Furthermore, the location of the rooms that they are filmed in (eg if it was
regarding drugs) would almost be in a hidden location. This is done so that
the audience are aware of the fact that the procedure being done is illegal
therefore can not be done in a public area.
• The fact that crime and gangster films are set in a cold, hidden location
makes it more thrilling to watch as the audience know something bad
could happen – this keeps them hooked throughout.
11. Typical Characters
• Firstly, there is also a leader type of character who is highly respected and
looking up to by everyone. This character is usually middle aged but very
wise – people want to kill him but somehow he is never caught and is
always protected. A lot of the time, this character is male and ‘evil’.
• Secondly, there is usually again a heroic type of character who is seeking
justice in a situation. This character is typically male and again well
respected by people. However, people know he is not as powerful as the
other character he is seeking justice from.
• Lastly, there is normally a female character which the heroic male
character is seeing. She usually wants what is best for him and tries to
protect him in all situations.
12. Typical Plots
• Crime and gangster films usually have typical plots.
• Firstly, there is usually money involved in some shape or form. Either the
leader type character is owed money or is trying to get it. The heroic
character is trying to make peace by giving him what he needs or resolving
the issue for somebody else.
• Another common plot is when there is an issue regarding drugs. The plot
again is very similar and follows the same guideline.
• Another plot could be that one of the heroic type characters friends have
died and he is trying to kill the person who did it – making it a good vs evil
situation
