The document discusses the history and genres of comedy films. It provides information on the first comedy film created in 1895 and defines several subgenres of comedy like slapstick, black comedy, and romantic comedy. Examples are given of both vintage comedy films from the early 20th century starring Charlie Chaplin and Laurel & Hardy, as well as contemporary silent comedy films from the 2000s. The document also examines why people enjoy watching comedy and its potential benefits for mental health.

1. UNIT 12
Jack bevens

2. COMEDY MOVIE
• Subgenre
1. Comedy of Manners (Posh and Rich People)
2. Slapstick (Physically melodramatic)
3. Fish Out of Water (Unexpected turn out)
4. Parody (Poking fun from other movies)
5. Anarchic Comedy (World upside down)
6. Black Comedy (Death, murder, crime and suicide)
7. Gross Out (Sexual based comedy)
8. Screwball Comedy (Romantic)

3. COMEDY MOVIE
• Hybrid Subgenre
1. Action Comedy
2. Comedy Horror
3. Comedy Thriller
4. Fantasy Comedy
5. Science Fiction Comedy
6. Military Comedy
7. Romantic Comedy

4. FOR EXAMPLE
• Action Comedy – Rush Hour (1998), Deadpool (2016)and Kick-Ass (2010)
• Comedy Horror – Zombieland (2009), Shaun of the Dead (2004) and Scary Movie
(2000)
• Comedy Thriller – The King of Comedy (1982), Date Night (2010) and Bad Boys
(1995)
• Fantasy Comedy – Ghostbuster (1984), Bruce Almighty (2003) and Big (1988)
• Science Fiction Comedy - Paul (2011), Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) and Mars
Attacks (1996)
• Military Comedy – Dad’s Army (2016), Stripes (1981) and Major Payne (1995)
• Romantic Comedy – isn’t it romantic (2019), 10 things I hate about you (1999) and
Love, Simon (2018)

5. WHEN WAS THE FIRST COMEDY
MOVIE MADE?
• The short film called L’Arroser Arrose, French language. (The Waterer Watered and The Sprinkler Sprinkled)
• It was first screened on 10th June 1895
• Directed and produced by Louis Lumiere
• Filmed in Lyon, France
• Story: The film portrays a simple practical joke in which a gardener is tormented by a boy who steps on the
hose that the gardener is using to water his plants, cutting off the water flow. When the gardener tilts the
nozzle up to inspect it, the boy releases the hose, causing the water to spray him. The gardener is stunned
and his hat is knocked off, but he soon catches on. A chase begins, both on and off (the camera never moves
from its original position) until the gardener catches the boy and administers a spanking. The film genre
slapstick. Harvey, Ian . (2017). The Sprinkler Sprinkled was the first comedy film. Available:
https://www.thevintagenews.com/2017/02/26/the-sprinkler-sprinkled-was-the-first-comedy-film/. Last
accessed 17th December 2019.
• The film’s specific genre is called French short film black and white silent comedy film.

6. WHY DO PEOPLE ENJOY COMEDIES?
• Most people want to be entertained. They want to relax and try to escape from reality.
A lot of people have stressful lives, and they need time to rest and to calm down.
• I have experience of comedy myself, I am always funny, melodramatic and love physical
comedy because I love to make people laugh. I have lots of friends who suffer from
depression, anxiety and panic attacks. They want to escape from this and I make them
feel calm and relaxed. I think comedy is important to me because I don’t like to see
people sad, stressed or having a frustrating life from home, work, university and college.
I want people to have a positive life by watching comedy.
• Also, I want to create a comedy film because I want my audience who suffer depression,
anxiety and panic attacks to watch it and forget their troubles.
• I would like to create comedy films because I want to make my audience feel relaxed
and calm after their stressful day

7. WHEN WAS THE FIRST COMEDY?
• Starting from 425 BCE, Aristophanes, a comic playwright and author of the Ancient Greek
Theatre. He wrote 40 comedies but 11 of 40 comedies survive because the audience are
enjoyed them. Aristophanes is created his type of comedy from the earlier satyr a man with a
goat's ears, tail, legs, and horns play and sometimes often highly obscene.
• Around 335 BCE, Aristotle, in his work art of writing that comedy originated in phallic
procession and the light treatment of the otherwise base and ugly. He also adds that the
origins of comedy are obscure because it was not treated seriously from it’s activity. Comedy
had it’s own muse.
• Aristotle taught that comedy was generally positive for society, since it brings forth
happiness, Aristotte was the ideal state the final goal in any activity. For Aristotle, a comedy
did not need to involve sexual humor. A comedy is about the fortunate rise of a sympathetic
character. Unknown . (2019). Comedy . Available:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comedy. Last accessed 17th December 2019.

8. SURVEY MONKEY
https://www.surveymonkey.com/analyze/pRdI8zUpjI9_2F49z1MvsXxBtMBO_2FzWzLfLnGRExxSY_2B4_3D
Here is a proof that I had some answers from my
audience, please click here

20. SURVEY MONKEY
• Question One – my audience are equal both genders: male and female. Comedy is really no matter which gender audience to
watch comedy. Male like violence and female like shopping but comedy film have both mixed in the film.
• Question Two – Most of my audience are 18 to 24 years old because I was trying to email to people who is over 24 years old
but the email won’t accept it to send to staffs and teachers. 18 to 24 years old people who like to watch my comedy film
• Question Three – My audience sexuality are the most of straight because the age is 16 to 24. I send to around in York College
students and I know most of College had straight students. There are few LGBT students or some of them might not ready to
came out.
• Question Four – I was happy because all my audience like to watch comedy movie. It’s can make my audience feel better and
happy. I think comedy is best for my audience and I will definitely create my comedy film later.
• Question Five – My audience said the reason why they like to watch comedy film because it’s make them laugh Comedy is
important for social life.
• Question Six – I noticed two genres compare between comedy and horror because both genres are action. I know most of my
audience like both genres (horror and comedy) because they have lots of different entertainment.
• Question Seven and Eight – Two questions are linked, my audience chose two subgenres is Action Comedy and Comedy
Horror. Also my audience chose two subgenres Slapstick and Black Comedy. That is perfect because Action Comedy link to
Slapstick and Comedy Horror link to Black Comedy. I still pick Action Comedy and Slapstick because I want to create my
comedy film without any horror.
• Question Nine – Most of my audience think comedy film can make reduce mental health because comedy can make my
audience feel calm, relax and enjoy to watch it.
• Question Ten – My audience choose either genders equally. I think it’s doesn’t matter which gender my main character is.

21. VINTAGE AND CONTEMPORARY
Vintage (Old silent movies)
• Laurel and Hardy (1927 to 1955)
• Charlie Chaplin (1914 to 1942)
• The Kid (1921)
• Safety Last! (1923)
• The cameraman (1928)
• Two Tars (1928)
• Modern Times (1936)
• Our hospitality (1923)
• Show People (1928)
• The Battle of the Century (1927)
• One Week (1920)
• Big Business (1929)
• The Haunted House (1921)
• The Oyster Princess (1919)
Contemporary (New silent movies)
• The Artist (2011)
• Return to Babylon (2013)
• Blancanieves (2012)
• Dr. Plonk (2007)
• La Antena (2007)
• Brand Upon the Brain! (2006)
• The Unusual Inventions of Henry Cavendish (2005)
• Tuvalu (1999)
• Juha (1999)

22. COMPARE VINTAGE AND
CONTEMPORARY
• In 1921, Charlie Chaplin created the film called The Kid. He used the camera called The Standard
Cinematograph Type 2709 hand-cranked camera, (A very typical Hollywood movie camera) hand-
cranked with four lenses, shape Mickey-Mouse-ears, wooden tripod and film strip border rolling. He
used only two camera movement pan and tilt.
• In 2011, Michael Hazanavicius created the film called The Artist. He used the camera called ARRIFLEX
435 ES Camera look very similar Charlie’s camera but Michael’s camera is modern. Same as shape
Mickey-Mouse-ears but there have Panavision lightweight zoom lenses and metal tripod. No hand-
crank. He used some technology for camera movement: Chapman/Leonard Mobile Cranes and
Chapman/Leonard Dollies.
• Two films has some different. Both has same as black and white silent film but technology different
between them. For example, The kid (1921) only two camera movement, five shots, hard statics and few
intertitles. The Artist (2011) has lots of camera movement, lots of shots, light statics and lots of
intertitles.

23. NEIL TOOL BOX
• Unknown . (2001). Comedy . Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comedy. Last accessed 17th
September 2019.
• Unknown . (2001). L'Arroseur Arrose . Available:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%27Arroseur_Arros%C3%A9. Last accessed 24th September 2019.
• Unknown . (2003 - 2015). Why People Watch Comedy. Available:
http://www.markedbyteachers.com/gcse/media-studies/why-people-watch-comedy.html. Last
accessed 1st October 2019 .
• Formelin. (2013). Contemporary silent films. Available: https://www.imdb.com/list/ls000221167/. Last
accessed 26th November 2019.
• elephant999. (2017). Best of Silent Films. Available: https://www.imdb.com/list/ls075527660/. Last
accessed 26th November 2019.
• Unknown . (2012-2019). The Artist (2011). Available: https://shotonwhat.com/the-artist-2011. Last
accessed 17th January 2020.
• Manzoor, Sarfraz . (2007). The Reel Thing . Available:
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/jul/24/features.sarfrazmanzoor. Last accessed 17th January
2020.