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.