Our short film “Milk Run” encapsulates the quirky yet profound experiences of a university student named Max who has just arrived in Melbourne. The storyline revolves around a seemingly mundane errand to buy milk, which unfolds into a series of encounters with Melbourne’s unique quirks and challenging situations. Max’s roommate, Charlie, a medical student with an eccentric personality, adds layers of humor and complexity to the narrative. By the end of his long journey, Max and Charlie bond over shared hardships, highlighting the universal struggle of adapting to a new environment.

“Milk Run” perfectly aligns with the genre hybridization of a coming-of-age movie intertwined with sitcom elements. Unlike typical comedies that rely on sudden, loud humor, our film aims to create a sense of entertainment and familiarity. The characters are relatable, and their interactions are designed to elicit a quiet, internal chuckle rather than uproarious laughter. The film’s slow-paced, simple plot provides a relaxing and comfortable viewing experience rather than one that is thought-stimulating or heart-pounding. 

While I am proud of our current short film, there are several elements I would refine, modify, or extend if given more time. One aspect I would enhance is the detail of the scenery. In scenes set in the shared house, I would include more of Charlie’s crazy experimental stuff in the background to further depict his eccentric personality.

Additionally, outdoor scenes could feature funny Easter eggs in the background, adding layers of visual humor and enriching the viewing experience. I would also like to incorporate more incongruity in actions and dialogue, as this would heighten the humor within the genre hybridization. I believe “Milk Run” would become even more engaging and entertaining by refining these elements.

Furthermore, I would focus on enhancing the sound design to complement the visual humor. Sound effects can play a crucial role in comedy, accentuating moments of surprise or exaggeration. A well-timed sound effect or musical cue can elevate a scene, making it more memorable and impactful. By paying attention to these auditory details, we could create a more immersive and enjoyable viewing experience.

Two media works from our studio’s website that caught my attention are “Situation Tragedy” and “Rogue.” Both pieces offer unique insights into key ideas addressed by the studio.

“Situation Tragedy” is a stellar example of genre hybridization. Judging from the poster and the start of the film, one might think it is a sitcom-type short film. However, it transcends into a documentary, exemplifying the genre hybridization. The creators effectively execute humor in a documentary background by using real aspects of a documentary and incorporating theories of benign violation and incongruity. For instance, when the character Scarlet ate a sandwich stuffed with a condom, it was a perfect example of benign violation. The incongruity is highlighted when the opening changes from “Situation comedy” to “situation tragedy” and at the twist when Paul the caterer is revealed as the culprit.

“Rogue” serves as an all-rounder, straight-up comedy utilizing all theories of humor: incongruity, benign violation, and modes of comedy such as satire and parody. The film parodies action/drama movies effectively, using incongruity throughout the movie, such as the part where Agent Whyte got distracted by a club and came out all messed up or when she asked for a vape from a random guy. The benign violation is used successfully to support the incongruity, especially when Agent Whyte gets slapped and when Agent Whyte and Agent Wolley fight each other. Their effective application of humor theories made me laugh throughout the entire film.

From another studio, a media work that stood out to me was “The Righteous Gene” from the Truth Be Told studio. This documentary communicated its message effectively through well-executed camera shots that helped me comprehend the discussion. One of the standout techniques used in “The Righteous Gene” is the integration of reenactment scenes. These scenes are interspersed throughout the documentary, breaking the monotony of a single talking head and providing visual context to the spoken words. This method not only prevents boredom but also deepens the viewer’s understanding by providing a visual representation of the narrative. The precise use of camera angles and reenactment scenes made the documentary clear and engaging.

Week 7 Blog post:

Beyond a Joke Beyond a Genre – Week 7 RFL

Week 8 Blog post:

Beyond a Joke Beyond a Genre Week 8 RFL

Week 9 Blog post:

Beyond a Joke Beyond a Genre – Week 9 RFL

Week 10 Blog post:

Beyond a Joke Beyond a Genre – Week 10 RFL

Week 11 Blog post:

Beyond a Joke Beyond a Genre – Week 11 RFL

Final Reflection:

Beyond a Joke Beyond a genre – Final Reflective Essay

In what ways do you hope your artefact engages its audience and communicates the key concern(s) of the studio? 

Our short film “Milk Run” encapsulates the quirky yet profound experiences of a university student named Max who has just arrived in Melbourne. The storyline revolves around a seemingly mundane errand to buy milk, unfolding into encounters with Melbourne’s unique quirks and challenging situations. Max’s roommate, Charlie, a medical student with an eccentric personality, adds layers of humour and complexity to the narrative. By the end of his long journey, Max and Charlie bond over shared hardships, highlighting the universal struggle of adapting to a new environment.

“Milk Run” perfectly aligns with the genre hybridization of a coming-of-age movie intertwined with sitcom elements. Unlike typical comedies that rely on sudden, loud humour, our film aims to create a sense of entertainment and familiarity. The characters are relatable, and their interactions are designed to elicit a quiet, internal chuckle rather than uproarious laughter. The film’s slow-paced, simple plot provides a relaxing and comfortable viewing experience rather than one that is thought-stimulating or heart-pounding. The slightly dark colour grading, grainy effects, and cosy, homely interiors contribute to an iconic old sitcom vibe (Dodds, 2019). Through these elements, we hope to engage the audience by offering a comforting and relatable narrative that resonates on a personal level.

How has your idea of comedy shifted over the course of the semester?

Initially, I perceived comedy as spontaneous and somewhat simplistic, where the primary goal was to induce out-loud laughter. I believed that comedy was basic and straightforward, and my initial intent in taking the course was to enhance my perceived comedic persona. However, as the semester progressed, I realised that comedy is far more intricate, with its own structure, intentions, and qualities.

Understanding the five senses of laughter—casual, motivational, functional, perceptual, and aesthetic—helped me grasp the underlying mechanics of why we laugh. Additionally, delving into the three comic theories—superiority, incongruity, and relief theory (Clayton, 2020)—provided a deeper understanding of humour. This newfound knowledge reshaped my approach to creating comedy. Initially, my sketches lacked depth, relying on random and silly ideas in the hope of generating laughs. However, from the fourth sketch onward, I began incorporating these theories, aiming to produce more nuanced and content-rich comedy.

I also learned that successful comedy does not necessarily have to result in out loud laughter. Inner amusement, subtle entertainment, and a sense of relatability can also signify effective comedy (Berger, 2023). This shift in perspective allowed me to appreciate the complexity of comedic storytelling and strive for a more meaningful and layered approach in my media artefact.

Imagine you were going to keep working on your media artefact. What would be the elements you would further refine, modify, improve, or extend? Why these elements

While I am proud of our current short film, there are several elements I would refine, modify, or extend if given more time. One aspect I would enhance is the detail of the scenery. According to Berger (2023), scenery can intensify comedic possibilities by revealing character traits and adding depth to the narrative. In scenes set in the shared house, I would include more of Charlie’s crazy experimental stuff in the background to further depict his eccentric personality.

Additionally, outdoor scenes could feature funny Easter eggs in the background, adding layers of visual humour and enriching the viewing experience. I would also like to incorporate more incongruity in actions and dialogue, as this would heighten the humour within the genre hybridisation (White and Mundy, 2012). I believe “Milk Run” would become even more engaging and entertaining by refining these elements.

Furthermore, I would focus on enhancing the sound design to complement the visual humor. Sound effects can play a crucial role in comedy, accentuating moments of surprise or exaggeration. A well-timed sound effect or musical cue can elevate a scene, making it more memorable and impactful (Berger, 2023). By paying attention to these auditory details, we could create a more immersive and enjoyable viewing experience.

At least 200 words of your essay should reflect on collaboration (over the whole semester). How did your experiences with collaboration positively, neutrally, or negatively affect the process and result of your work?

Collaboration has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding aspects of this project. The frequent switching of groups each week made it difficult to find a consistent rhythm and seamlessly integrate everyone’s ideas. Each team member had different visions, and aligning these into a cohesive flow was often challenging. In some sketches, we struggled to achieve this, leading to disjointed results. Furthermore, working in a large group for the final assignment sometimes resulted in inefficient communication.

Despite these challenges, the collaboration process significantly contributed to my growth. Working with various people pushed me out of my comfort zone and enhanced my adaptability. I learned to navigate different perspectives and find common ground, which is a crucial skill in any collaborative effort. Additionally, the opportunity to work with a diverse group of people allowed me to make new friends and foster a sense of camaraderie within the class. Rather than being separated into isolated groups, the class developed a stronger mutual bond through shared experiences and collaborative projects.

Collaboration also taught me the importance of clear communication and active listening. By understanding and valuing each team member’s contributions, we created a more cohesive and dynamic final product. The process of negotiating ideas and finding common ground helped me develop my problem-solving skills and fostered a sense of mutual respect and understanding within the team.

Milk Run – Beyond a Joke Beyond a Genre from Media Factory on Vimeo.

Reference

Berger, A.A. (2023). The Semiotics of Humour: Universal Humour Techniques in Comedy Writing. The Palgrave Handbook of Music in Comedy Cinema. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-33422-1_2

Clayton, A. (2020), Funny How? Sketch Comedy and the Art of Humor, Albany: State University of New York Press.

Dodds, F. (2019). The 26 Most Iconic TV Interiors of All Time. AD. https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/most-iconic-tv-interiors-of-all-time

White, G., & Mundy, J. (2012). Laughing matters : Understanding film, television and radio comedy. Manchester University Press.

In Week 11, we transitioned from pre-production to filming, marking a significant milestone in our project. Our first scenes were shot at Harper’s house, a key location of our short film. The initial scene took us 3-4 hours to film, as we were still getting accustomed to the process. However, this experience was invaluable in helping us understand the intricacies of filming, from setting up shots to getting used to the devices.

One of the most notable breakthroughs was the improvement in our efficiency. The team quickly adapted after the initial lengthy shoot, and our subsequent filming sessions became more streamlined and effective. This progress was a testament to our growing familiarity with the equipment and our roles within the team.

Despite our progress, we faced several challenges. One particularly memorable incident occurred during the filming of our first scene. The sky was initially cloudy and dark. However, the weather suddenly changed, becoming sunnier than ever. To maintain continuity, we decided to postpone filming to the next day, hoping for similar weather conditions. Ironically, the next day was even sunnier, forcing us to reshoot the entire scene. Despite this setback, the reshoot went twice as fast, and we successfully secured the two outdoor scenes.

Another challenge was ensuring high-quality sound. We were committed to capturing perfect audio, which led to some amusing moments, such as crawling on the grass field to position the microphone correctly. Moreover, as a result of many failed sound recordings, we also decided to take separate sounds later and link the sound audio to the shot right after filming all to save time.  

Next week, our goal is to complete the filming process and transition to editing, with Daniel in charge. The lessons learned from our initial filming sessions will guide us in the remaining shoots, helping us avoid past mistakes and build on our successes.

In week 10, we had the opportunity to present our ideas for our short film. This included discussing the form and format of our film, our inspirations, potential locations, and the equipment we planned to use. This presentation was a significant milestone in our journey, as it allowed us to articulate our vision and receive feedback on our initial ideas.

One of the most nerve-racking experiences was the script reading. The anticipation of not knowing whether our work was good or bad was intense. However, the feedback we received was invaluable, and I was surprised that it was more positive than I anticipated. That being said, It helped us refine our script, particularly our comedic elements. We were advised to change some of our old jokes to make the comedy more effective, which we took to heart. 

Despite the constructive feedback, finalizing our script was not a straightforward process. We had to go through lengthy discussions, weighing the pros and cons of each suggestion, before we could agree on the final version. This process, although challenging, was a testament to our team’s commitment to producing a quality film.

With our script finalised, we are now moving into the first production process – filming. This will take place during class time in week 11. We have secured the necessary equipment and have been granted permission to film at our chosen locations.

As we look forward to the filming process, I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and apprehension. I hope that the filming process will go smoothly and that the final product will align with the image we have in our heads.

In conclusion, this journey has been a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with breakthroughs, challenges, and invaluable learning experiences. I am grateful for the feedback and support from our peers and the WIP panel. As we move into the production phase, I am confident that we will continue to grow and produce a film we can be proud of.

This week, we deep-dived into refining our script, investing substantial time and effort to incorporate everyone’s ‘vomit drafts’ into a more detailed and comprehensive script. The process requires us to discuss and identify the best aspects of each team member’s draft.

We distilled these highlights into bullet points and then merged them into a single, unified script. It was a breakthrough moment, creating a sense of shared ownership and commitment among the team.

We also acknowledged the crucial role of a soundtrack in enhancing a short film’s impact. As a result, we initiated a collaborative Spotify playlist, inviting everyone to contribute music and soundtracks that resonate with our film’s mood and theme. 

Our progress in week nine wasn’t limited to the script and soundtrack; we also dedicated time to working on the storyboard. Visualizing our scenes and sequences helped us better understand the flow of our narrative. It also served as an excellent communication tool, ensuring everyone on the team understood the visual direction of our short film.

The shape of our final script is beginning to emerge, and it’s thrilling to see our collective vision slowly coming to life. We’re excited to finalise the cast and locations as we enter next week. These steps will bring us significantly closer to moving our project from planning to production. Moreover, I hope to see myself contributing more to the production process of the short film.

Reflecting on week 9, it’s clear that we’ve made significant strides in our short film project. From refining our script to curating a resonant soundtrack and working on the storyboard, we’ve experienced considerable growth. As we move forward, we remain committed to creating a short film that embodies our shared vision and individual creativity. With hopes high for finalising our cast and locations next week, we’re excited about the journey that lies ahead.

The second week of our major media project was filled with an exciting storm of ideas. We began with “the vomit” – a creative outpouring of ideas, no matter how strange or disconnected they seemed. This exercise effectively broke down inhibitions and got the creative juices flowing, setting the stage for our continued brainstorming.

The focus of this week’s brainstorming shifted from the general concept to our characters. After much discussion, we finally painted a picture of our protagonist – a media student from a place significantly different from Melbourne. His naivety and fascination with his surroundings are sure to create amusing situations. Our supporting character will be a medical student whose antics, although unhinged at times, resonate with the common experiences of being a student.

Our narrative will revolve around the protagonist’s exploration of Melbourne, which will be filled with amusing misunderstandings and eye-opening experiences. We are excited about the potential for cultural clashes, humorous interpretations, and an introduction to the quirks of Melbourne life.

We also chat about the oddities of Melbourne that we personally observe on a daily basis to generate some ideas for the script. I sadly don’t have many experiences to share as I just recently stepped foot in Melbourne, but I think a lot of my teammates’ ideas would be great to include in the script of our sketch. 

Regarding scriptwriting, we’ve struggled to maintain a cohesive structure while accommodating everyone’s ideas. We sought advice from our mentor, Bradley, on this matter. He suggested writing a rough structure with lines and story arcs for each character on a shared Google doc, allowing each team member to contribute their ideas. This approach will maintain a balance between individual creativity and overall coherence.

Despite the challenges, we are making steady, albeit slow, progress. We hope to have a more solid script in place by next week and jump on the filming process soon. 

It’s week 7, and our major media project is underway! This week marked the first steps in our journey towards creating our major media project: a genre hybridisation sitcom – a concept that excites and intimidates me. However, I am optimistic that working with my newly found teammates will make this concept less daunting. 

The first task was role allotment. I was somewhat anxious since production isn’t my strong suit. Yet, I believe in growth through challenges. Moreover, as an international student, my familiarity with local Australian comedy content is still developing, making me not on the same page with everyone during the brainstorming period. However, I am committed to investing my free time in familiarising myself with local media content. This immersion will hopefully better equip me for the brainstorming sessions and scriptwriting process.

Our second task was completing the group contract, which went surprisingly smoothly – we’re all on the same wavelength! Amy took the initiative to create a Google Drive file, creating a shared space for us to pool our ideas and inspirations – a modern-day think tank!

Then, the real fun began – we started discussing the heart of our sitcom: the concept. We agreed to base our sitcom on genre hybridisation, a decision that promises a playground of creativity and wit. Our brainstorming session also included sharing strange personal experiences. Daniel had us in fits of laughter with the tale of his unusually loud roommate, who could make drinking water sound like a thunderstorm.

His hilarious and relatable story sparked a creative flame within us all. We found the idea of crafting comedy from everyday, relatable situations intriguing. This sparked the basis of our sitcom – comedy derived from the commonplace, turning the mundane into the hilarious.

By the end of our session, we had a rough outline for our script, a concept, and a newfound appreciation for the power of relatable humour. The journey towards creating our sitcom is only beginning, and countless challenges are undoubtedly ahead. Yet, I am eager to see where this unique blend of genre hybridisation personal stories will take us.

Sketch 1: https://www.mediafactory.org.au/thuytrang-nguyen/2024/04/05/keeping-up-with-the-assessment-hybridisation-experiment-1-parody/

Sketch 2: https://www.mediafactory.org.au/thuytrang-nguyen/2024/04/14/house-tour-hybridisation-experiment-2-satire/

Sketch 3: https://www.mediafactory.org.au/thuytrang-nguyen/2024/04/21/hybridisation-experiment-3-genre-hybridisation/

This week’s subject is genre hybridisation, which I find pretty intriguing and somewhat perplexing. Genre hybridisation refers to the incorporation of comedic elements into a core genre. This notion is highly confusing as it has the solid potential to be misconstrued as a parody. However, I quickly realised that when it comes to parody, the primary focus is on comedy. Nevertheless, comedy does not take centre stage this time. Instead, it is merely a subsidised element that will temporarily occur and assist the core genre. 

Our objective for the sketch was to create a news centred around raising awareness about a pernicious waterborne illness. This uncertainty of this week’s concept has also hindered my team during the script construction, as the plot consistently teeters on the edge of parody. The error we committed was inadvertently incorporating an excessive number of exaggeration elements, resulting in a pronounced inclination towards humour throughout the comedy. Consequently, recognising this fact aided us in refining our thoughts and directing our attention towards the primary, specifically a news documentary. The basis for this sketch is derived from the news program “60 Minutes”. Furthermore, to elaborate further on this genre, we used all elements of authentic news: interviews with an expert and footage of water sinks, water pipelines, and empty canvases to depict the dire repercussions of the sickness without exaggeration or comedic intent. Consequently, the joke is finally presented towards the conclusion of the comedy, when the interviewer inquires about the number of individuals impacted by the illness, and the response is three since 1980. 

By making this sketch, I gained insight into the challenges of employing comedy as a supplementary element to enhance the core genre and the exceptional skills of movie writers in accomplishing this objective successfully. Consequently, achieving this leads to a film that possesses more incredible intricacy in generating fluctuations of emotions for the viewers. 

During the last three weeks of collaborative work, I have found that I am naturally drawn to relatable humour and editing techniques that provide a touch of drama and exaggeration. Collaborating with others has also allowed me to appreciate the significance of timing and delivery in comedy and the impact of working together to improve and elevate comic ideas. For my main project, I am keen on creating a parody that incorporates elements of incongruity. I am seeking like-minded partners who share the same vision.