The comedy genre originated in the 1920s through silent films and slapstick comedy. Its purpose is to amuse audiences. Common conventions include accident-prone, socially awkward, and sarcastic characters. The plot typically involves a funny character trying something new that causes trouble. Subgenres blend comedy with other genres, like comedy horror which scares but also amuses audiences, or comedy action which treats action scenes lightly.

1. Genre Exploration Task
I am going to be doing the
Comedy Genre.

2. Comedy
• The genre comedy, was first
rooted around the 1920s. It had
emerged through silent films as
they were ideal in the 19th
Century. Slapstick was one of
the forms of comedy, that was
based on purposely clumsy
actions and humorously
embarrassing events that take
place. Classical films such as
“The Great Dictator” and
“Twenty Minutes Of Love”
represent the classical genre.

3. Purpose
• The purpose of a comedy genre is too amuse people.
• General conventions of the comedy genre are things
such as: accident prone, socially awkward, funny ones
and sarcastic ones.
• The usual plan of the movie is that within the social
group, the funny or top person wants to break old
habits and try something new, which usually builds up
to something leading to trouble
• If there was a scene where there was drama and
tension, its usually the top/funny person to the ease
the tension.

4. Different Types of Comical
Characters
• Smart/Geeky – Will
(Inbetweeners Movie)
• Idiotic – The Hilton
Sisters (White Chicks)
• Socially Awkward – Tai
(Clueless)
• Accident Prone – Simon
(Inbetweeners Movie)
• Funny ones – Seth
(Superbad)

5. Sub-Genres of Comedy
• A sub-genre is a combination of two genres creating a sub-
genre. E.G. Comedy and Horror.
• Examples of sub-genres in Comedy are things such as:
• Comedy Horror
– Purpose of Comedy Horror is too scare you but keep you
amused at the same time.
– E.g. of films
– Fright Night
– Snakes on a Plane
• Comedy Action
– Purpose of Comedy Action is to make scenes light hearted
and would rarely involve serious injuries and death
– Films such as
– Hot Fuzz
• Comedy Drama
– Purpose of Comedy Drama is too make scenes more comical at
serious moments
– Films such as
– The Breakfast Club