research

Since film has been around comedy has also. From the first silent films which relied on the expression and slap-stick comedy, to the current favorites like Stepbrothers and American Pie which rely on cringe-worthy comedy and use vulgar sexual acts and strong language. Although comedy has evolved throughout the century, one thing that they all have in common is that at the time they were released, the audience found them funny. No matter whether it was Charlie Chaplin hitting someone in the face with a pie or McLovin and his fake ID, they all had the desired effect to make people laugh which in essence is what comedy is all about.

·      Early comedy - Used physical comedy because they had no sound e.g Charlie chaplin

·      Stepbrothers – relies on strong language and vulgar scenes e.g licking dog feces and testicles on drum kit scene

·      Introduction of sound in films moved on from silent movies

·      Use of violence in comedy e.g Stepbrothers fight scene

·      Less of a taboo on using certain material, nothing is off limits anymore

·      Social changes have influenced the change in comedy

Charlie Chaplin in the Bank:

·      Steady camera – focus is on Charlie chaplin and his movement

·      Always centre of the shot – emphasis on him

·      Lack of editing – comedy is purely physical as there is no dialogue

·      All movements are emphasized and over acted

·      Uses non- diegetic music and expression to convey the mood of the film

·      Makes the suffering of others seem funny – less extreme than nowadays but the same concept

·      Narrative isn’t structured

Stepbrothers:

·      Uses more extreme ways to make it funny – strong language and

·      More focus on the dialogue than the movement and expression of character

·      Uses sexual acts and sexual language

·      More editing and less non diegetic sound – focus is on the dialogue and not the character physically

·      Uses violence in a more extreme way

·      Uses material that some people could find offensive e.g rape and nudity

·      Still uses some aspects of physical comedy e.g sleep walking scene

·      Has a more structured narrative