Last Comedy Research- trailers

 Moving on to the Comedy research, I felt like this element did not need as much research as horror did since comedy in film narratives can be established very quickly but I feel that I am missing something for how comedy can be used in trailers to hook audiences. So I am doing one last in depth analysis for comedy trailers before moving onto pre-production.

No Hard Feelings Trailer (2023)

This trailer does a great job of mastering elements of comedy. The main thing I can tell that I also have previous knowledge about from one of my past blogs titled "Genre research-Comedy" is that despite being a funny movie it does have to have a very complex and interesting plot or storyline with added elements of humor. This is prominent in the 'No Hard Feelings' trailer as we get an overview of the plot in the first minute then in the second we get an interesting montage of funny moments between her and the other main character who is discussed in the first half, as their relationship relates to the entire plot. 

Main takeaway from this trailer is how it is structured overall. 

The Blackening Trailer (2023)

Moving on to the next trailer from the movie 'The Blackening" which is a horror comedy that does an excellent  job on putting the two genres into perspective. The main thing I can take away from this is the pacing of the movie and how it frames the elements of comedy in a horrifying situation. The movie overall plays on stereotypes of black people and how they would realistically act in a horror movie, making it funny. Also taking past research from my 'Genre Research-Comedy' blog and apllying it to this research is that for comedy, you need to give a complex plot and add funny characters to conclude the element of comedy in a film. 

Tying  both of these together to get my main takeaways from this research is the dialouge and pacing of the music. And as the sound designer the sound and music of the trailers both added into the comedy and the dialogue but most importantly for the horror comedy, it presented itself in a way that it eased the horror elements and didn't make it to scary. 

Overall, comedy in trailers is showcased through a combination of visual elements, dialogue, pacing, and music. The goal is to give the audience a taste of the humor in the film while leaving enough room for surprises and laughter when they watch the full movie. Here are some techniques used to convey comedy in trailers:

1. Pacing and Timing:

   • Quick Cuts: Fast-paced editing and quick cuts can enhance the comedic timing of visual gags or punchlines.
   • Well-Timed Pauses: Brief pauses between scenes can allow the audience to absorb a joke or humorous situation before moving on.

2. Visual Gags:

   • Physical Comedy: Clips featuring slapstick humor, pratfalls, or visual gags can be highlighted to showcase the film's comedic elements.
   • Unexpected Situations: Scenes with unexpected twists or absurd situations that evoke laughter are often included.

3. Dialogue:

   • Clever One-Liners: Snappy and clever dialogue, especially one-liners, can be featured to demonstrate the film's wit and humor.
   • Punchy Exchanges: Scenes with comedic banter between characters can be selected to showcase the chemistry and humor in the movie.

4. Character Introductions:

   • Quirky Characters: Trailers may emphasize the eccentricities or unique traits of characters that contribute to the overall comedic tone of the film.
   • Fish-Out-of-Water Scenarios: Highlighting characters in amusing or awkward situations can generate laughs.

5. Visual Style:

   • Colorful and Lively Aesthetics: The use of vibrant colors and lively visual elements can convey a light-hearted and comedic tone.
   • Playful Graphics and Text: Animated or stylized text, graphics, and visual effects can add to the comedic flair of the trailer.

6. Music and Sound:

   • Upbeat Music: Lively and cheerful music can contribute to the overall tone of the comedy.
   • Well-Timed Sound Effects: Comedic sound effects can enhance visual gags and add an extra layer of humor.

7. Genre Parody or Satire:

   • Genre Awareness: If the film is a parody or satire, the trailer may include references to other genres or popular culture to highlight the comedic approach.

8. Montages and Comedic Sequences:

   • Montages of Funny Moments: A compilation of humorous scenes or a sequence of comedic events can be featured to showcase the film's comedic highlights.

Ultimately, the key is to create a trailer that captures the essence of the comedy without giving away all the jokes, ensuring that the audience is intrigued and eager to experience the full comedic impact when watching the movie.