Katie Storer A2 Media

1. COMEDY
Codes and Conventions
Katie Storer

2. CAMERA
A wide range of camera shots are used to highlight comedic action and facial features.
For example, CU and POV are often used so as to position the audience with the protagonist,
enhancing comedic moments.
Low and high angle shots are used frequently to
exaggerate a character’s power and status.
Often the camera’s movements are very naturalistic
as comedies create a sense of ‘realism’- making the
production more relatable for an audience.

3. LIGHTING
Bright, colourful lighting is often used to reflect the upbeat, light tone of the film. Audiences
associate the comedy genre with vibrancy and joy.
SOUND
Sound effects are stereotypically used throughout comedy films, acting as codes or
markers and enhancing comedic effect( EG. Slapstick sounds).

4. MISE-EN-SCENE
Conventionally, Comedies aim to construct a form of ‘realism’, resulting in the use of Invisible
Editing. However, Comedic timing is key- editors must chose when to cut to a relevant reaction
or character and create a pregnant pause. It is also important to build a form of dramatic irony,
letting the audience see the joke slightly before the characters.
EDITING
Mise-en-Scene is often exaggerated in order to create a comedic effect- make-up and
costume are vital in creating a preferred reading of a laughable character. The audience must
be encouraged to laugh through the use of technical and symbolic codes in order to prevent
guilt for laughing. Stereotypes are used as a cultural shorthand (Dutton) in order to increase
comedic value of characters.

5. THEMES AND MOTIFS
Comedies cover a wide range of themes and narratives. Due to the typical use of this genre
within a hybrid as a sub-genre, narratives commonly involve action, romance or sci-fi.
The genre can also take many forms, such as ‘Black Comedy’,used in satirical or dramatic
films, which uses dark humour to make light of a usually taboo topic.
Parody and Slapstick are also popular types of comedy; more light hearted than Black
Comedies, they fulfil the audience pleasure of ‘Share laughter with family and Friends’
Stereotypically, comedies also offer the pleasure ‘Warm mode of Address’.

6. COMEDY SHORT FILM- THE
ELEVATOR
The CU highlights the character’s exasperated
facial expression and create a juxtaposition
between the men in the brightly coloured shirts and
the man in the foreground of this shot. This
juxtaposition exaggerates the different character’s
traits.
Although no dialogue is
used for the duration of
the film, POV shots are
used to establish the
comedic narrative. We
can clearly see that the
protagonist is worried
the people are too
heavy for the lift, as
here we are positioned
with him while he
estimates each
character’s weight.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-
TQQE1y68c