My Journey Through Media Studies: Genre Research

1. Genre: Comedy

2. Genre conventions - content
In the film genre comedy, target audiences vary as it can be split into many sub genres. Comedies aimed toward children are typically slap stick comedy or crude humor (i.e. Shrek films, Monsters vs Aliens). These films are targeting 5 to 13 year olds. Other comedy films are spoof films featuring very crude humor but with a more adult humor (i.e. Scary Movie). These films are targeting 15 to 18 year olds, but more toward 15 to 24 year old boys because of its crude humor. Romantic comedies, on the other hand, have subtle humor for they are supposed to be "laugh out loud" comedy (i.e. Love Actually, 10 Things I Hate About You). These films are targeted mainly toward women about the age of 13 to 24. Comedy movies have a main emphasis of humor. They are designed to make the audience laugh through amusement and is most often done by exaggerating characteristics for humorous effect. They are light-hearted dramas, crafted to amuse, entertain, and provoke enjoyment. The genre humorously exaggerates the situation, language, action, and characters. The genre often observes the deficiencies and frustrations of life, providing merriment and a momentary escape from day-to-day life. Comedies usually have happy endings, even if the humor may have a pessimistic side.

3. Genre conventions - production techniques
Comedies usually come in two general formats: comedian-led (featuring impeccable timing with gags, jokes, or sketches) and situation-comedies which are told within a narrative. These comedy elements may appear together and/or overlap. There are also comedy hybrids which commonly exist with other major genres, such as musical-comedy, horror-comedy, and comedy-thriller. Sub genres have also been developed through comedy, such as romantic comedy, crime comedy, sports comedy, teen or coming-of-age comedy and military comedy. Comedy as a genre also has many different kinds, types, or forms of comedy: slapstick, deadpan, verbal comedy, screwball, black or dark comedy, and parody or spoofs.

4. Institutional conventions - how is genre marketed?
Just like any other film, comedy films are marketed through trailers or teasers or clips of the movie revealed. Another way film is marketed is by the posters that are held up in different places for people to see. Comedy films can be marketed by revealing certain scenarios where one character could be clumsy and start falling all over the place and exaggerate the entire situation including the character's reaction.

5. Film sample #1: The 40-Year-Old Virgin
This movie embodies comedy because the movie exaggerates the missing necessities of Steve Carell's character.

6. Film sample #2: Dumb and Dumber
This movie embodies the genre of comedy because the film includes crude humor with more adult humor revealed through Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels' characters.

7. Other film examples:
a. The Hangover (2009) - Comedy Image result for the hangover