This document discusses common conventions and stock elements found in comedy films. It examines character archetypes, such as the group of misfit friends and eccentric family members. Location tropes are also covered, like films set entirely in schools due to their familiarity. Props like alcohol are frequently used to induce humorous behavior from characters. Overall, the document analyzes the standard formulas and recurring themes that comedy movies employ to create relatable and amusing stories.

1. FORMS AND CONVENTIONS
THE COMEDY GENRE

2. STOCK CHARACTERS
SUPERBAD
THE INBETWEENERS MOVIE
Character types in comedies usually have a main
character and often a character that provides the
majority of the humour alongside the rest of the
group. They also usually are a group of friends
who have many misfortunes which result in the
basis of humour. Kickass illustrates this point.
In Superbad there is no particular ‘humourous’
character, each character provides different
characteristics. This happens a lot in comedies
because it increases the likelihood that one
character will appeal to the audience. Nerdy
characters are successful in comedies because
their lack of social skills and strange ideas seem
funny.
A lot of comedies focus on a group of friends; in a
lot of cases they are outcasts and a little bit odd. In
the case of The Inbetweeners Movie the four
friends are varied to appeal to different audience
types. Will is a logical realist and very intelligent,
Neil is a fool, Jay is very arrogant and Simon is
the most relatable and almost seems normal.

3. STOCK CHARACTERS
CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN 2
THIS IS 40
Family type characters are also popular in
comedies; though these are usually based for
family entertainment and less crude than
Superbad and The Inbetweeners Movie.
This appeals to an audience because nearly
everybody has a family and can understand and
relate to the film. The children usually fight and
fall out and the parents have to deal with it.
In the case of This Is 40 the children are
entertaining, they illustrate how children and wild,
unpredictable and funny. They are very lively so
this channels through to the audience.
Cheaper By The Dozen is a comedy about a
large family. Family life is hard for ordinary sized
families so the idea of it being larger and even
harder is comical.
There are many comedies that focus on family life
such as Home Alone and Despicable Me.

4. STOCK PLOTS
SHE’S THE MAN
17 AGAIN

5. STOCK PLOTS
WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS
FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL

6. STOCK LOCATIONS
EASY A
BAD TEACHER
A lot of comedies do not have the budget that
comes with action or sci-fi movies. Because of
this they are usually based locally. This has an
added benefit as comedies are usually funny when
they are relatable.
Some comedies are based entirely around schools
– be the main character an adult or a child. This is
because most people have been in a school at
some point and the film makers have plenty of
choice to find their perfect location. In both Bad
Teacher and Easy A the characters remain
solely in very local territories such as homes, pubs
and the outdoors.
Locations like schools can provide a wide range of
people to introduce in the film.
A lot of comedies feature a school at some point
such as Superbad, Kickass, and 17 again.
They can provide plots and the contrast between
student and teacher can also be comical.

7. STOCK LOCATIONS
THE INBETWEENERS MOVIE
FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL

8. STOCK PROPS AND SIGNIFIERS
THE HANGOVER
THIS IS THE END
Props used in comedy films are generally less
predictive as they cover a variety of storylines.
This means that each film that is produced is
unique.
In many comedies alcohol is frequently used. This
is used as under it’s effects the characters are
usually more entertaining. They try new things
that don’t seems very logical or realistic. In the
case of The Hangover they spend the entire
film remembering what they did under the effects
of alcohol. Alcohol can be the basis of an entire
film easily – this is why some comedies are based
in Vegas as it is a prime place for drinking – for
example, What Happens In Vegas.
A new comedy called This Is The End features
the actors drinking at a party, although this isn’t
crucial to the storyline it is used as people
associate drinking with a good time. They assume
it is equal to fun, and laughter. It also makes the
characters say phrases they wouldn’t normally
admit out loud. What a person drinks can also say
a lot about the character.

9. MUSIC AND SOUND