Reflection

This week’s exploration of hybridisation in comedy, as discussed in Middleton’s “Documentary Comedy” and Mundy & White’s analysis of comedy’s relationship with genre boundaries, provided valuable insights into the fluidity and versatility of comedic forms.

In our group’s project, we opted to blend elements of drama with humour to create a hybridised experience for the audience. Choosing drama as our base genre, we injected comedic elements into the narrative to subvert expectations and add an unexpected twist. Our scene featured two characters engaged in a highly emotional confrontation, but the tension is broken when the camera zooms out to reveal an awkward third person in the room. This shift from intense drama to comedic awkwardness exemplifies the hybridisation of genres, as it disrupts the traditional expectations associated with dramatic storytelling.

By integrating humour into a dramatic framework, our project challenged the boundaries of both genres and demonstrated the potential for comedy to enhance and enliven traditional narrative forms. Through the careful balance of emotional intensity and comedic relief, we aimed to engage our audience in a unique and memorable viewing experience that transcended traditional genre conventions.

This project highlighted the creative opportunities afforded by hybridisation in comedy, as well as the importance of thoughtful experimentation and risk-taking in the pursuit of innovative storytelling.

Credits:
Middleton, J. (2002), “Documentary Comedy”, Media International Australia, 104(1), pp. 55–66.
Mundy, J. & White, G. (2012), “Comedy and Genre Boundaries” in Laughing Matters: Understanding Film, Television and Radio Comedy, Manchester: Manchester University Press, pp. 130–148.