This document discusses the genre of British comedy films. It outlines several conventions of film comedy including distinct settings (such as airports or high schools), natural camerawork and editing, incorporation of sound effects and props for humor, and themes like parody, romantic comedy, or slapstick. Key aspects that make British comedy uniquely British include films being made in Britain, use of iconic British settings, representation of British culture through sarcasm and stereotypical characters, and themes reflecting British lives. Students are then asked to analyze how sample comedy film openings fit these genre conventions and British elements.

1. LO: To find out What is British comedy?

2. Genre
 Genre is the a clear way of categorising films.
In order to understand the genre of a film we need to
understand the codes and conventions of the different
types of films.

3. Conventions of Film Comedy
 D.I.S.T.I.N.C.T
 Don’t
 Ignore
 Setting
 Technology
 Iconography
 Narrative
 Characterisation
 Themes

4. Settings
 This will vary depending on the type of comedy.
 Generic places: Bright places, Cities often places we
could imagine ourselves in (naturalistic)
 Love Actually: Airport
 High schools are often used for teen comedies. Work
places can often feature

5. Nominate!
You need to say a location which ahs been used in a
comedy film. Name the location and film
Then nominate somebody else

6. Technology
 Camera:
 Is often natural lots of tracking shots following the
characters.
 Medium shots are often used to show characters
interacting with each other
 Editing:
 Slow paced natural editing is generally used fast paced
can take place at key comic moments
 Sound effects add for humour

7. Iconography
 Real life props are often used – these can be used to
add possibility for comic accidents
 Natural lighting is often used – to give the feeling that
it is real life and the audience can relate to it.

8. Themes
 NB: Not all the titles are British
 Parody – Monty Python
 Romantic comedy – Love Actually
 Screwball comedy – School of Rock
 Slapstick – Dumb & Dumber. Mr Bean’s Holiday

9. What is British?
 In groups: List as many things you can think of linked
to British people/culture
 The winner gets a prize

10. What makes it British?
 Made in Britain
 Using iconic British settings e.g villages/London
 Often uses sarcasm
 Representation of British lives
 Stereotypical British characters (pub landlords)

11. Activity
 In groups work on your given film (watch the opening
sequence)
 You need to look at how it fits with the genre in terms
of:
 Setting
 Camerawork
 Iconography
 Themes
 How is it British?