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What is Slapstick Comedy?
Writing comedy is hard. (Just ask Seth Rogen.) I've been trying to nail the tone of this comedy script I've been working on, and it feels like I'm walking a fine line. I want it to feel "real," but I also want the opportunity to have big laughs at some ridiculous things. Basically, I'm trying to find the line of slapstick comedy. But when I mentioned that to a producer, they didn't know the term, so I thought it would be a good topic for a post. Today, we're going to go over the subgenre, define it, and look at some examples. Let's dive in. Slapstick Comedy DefinitionSlapstick comedy is a visually driven style of humor that relies on exaggerated actions and absurd situations to generate laughs. It's incredibly physical and visceral. Slapstick Comedy Characteristics The best way to understand slapstick comedy is to look at all the elements and characteristics that you may recognize from some of your favorite movies and shows. Here are a few core elements you can use to identify it. Physical Action: This is the cornerstone of slapstick: pratfalls, collisions, chases, slip and falls, and other exaggerated hijinks.The humor is primarily visual, meaning it's conveyed through actions rather than dialogue. Absurdity: Slapstick often features situations that are illogical or improbable. This contributes to the overall sense of fun and silliness. Timing: Precise timing is crucial in slapstick. The comedic effect hinges on the perfect execution of physical actions and reactions.These things all stand out as the pillars of slapstick. I'm sure they've cleared up some ideas of examples in your head, but I have a few others to check out. Slapstick Comedy ExamplesThere are so many famous slapstick movies that it was hard to pick out just a couple of examples, so I just went with my favorites. Classic Slapstick Movies: Charlie Chaplin: Films like Modern Times and City Lights are filled with iconic slapstick moments. Buster Keaton: I absolutely love The General. It is Keaton constantly doing the impossible with his body. The Three Stooges:Their shorts and films are quintessential examples of slapstick.Modern Slapstick: Home Alone (1990): The elaborate traps and physical comedy are prime examples of modern slapstick. Jim Carrey's filmography: Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask, and Dumb and Dumber are known for his energetic and exaggerated physical humor. Jackie Chan's action-comedies: I legitimately think Chan is one of the most underrated comedic actors of all time. His work in Rumble in the Bronx, Rush Hour, and First Strike all deliver big laughs while inside fight scenes. Slapstick on TV: I Love Lucy: Lucille Ball's physical comedy is legendary. I mean the chocolates on the conveyor belt alone is an all-time bit. Mr. Bean: Rowan Atkinson's famous character relies heavily on visual and physical comedy. SpongeBob SquarePants: someone is always getting slapped or falling over or doing something goofy on this show. The animation allows it to have huge jokes. Summing Up Slapstick Comedy Now that you understand slapstick comedy, go out, step on a rake, and make someone laugh. But seriously, slapstick comedy, I think, could make a big comeback, and these visual gags could be really fun to see in a screenplay. If you have favorite movies or TV shows like this, I want to hear about them. Let me know what you think in the comments.
Writing comedy is hard. (Just ask Seth Rogen.) I've been trying to nail the tone of this comedy script I've been working on, and it feels like I'm walking a fine line. I want it to feel "real," but I also want the opportunity to have big laughs at some ridiculous things.
Basically, I'm trying to find the line of slapstick comedy.
But when I mentioned that to a producer, they didn't know the term, so I thought it would be a good topic for a post.
Today, we're going to go over the subgenre, define it, and look at some examples.
Let's dive in.
Slapstick Comedy Definition
Slapstick comedy is a visually driven style of humor that relies on exaggerated actions and absurd situations to generate laughs. It's incredibly physical and visceral.
Slapstick Comedy Characteristics
The best way to understand slapstick comedy is to look at all the elements and characteristics that you may recognize from some of your favorite movies and shows.
Here are a few core elements you can use to identify it.
- Physical Action:
- This is the cornerstone of slapstick: pratfalls, collisions, chases, slip and falls, and other exaggerated hijinks.
- The humor is primarily visual, meaning it's conveyed through actions rather than dialogue.
- Absurdity:
- Slapstick often features situations that are illogical or improbable.
- This contributes to the overall sense of fun and silliness.
- Timing:
- Precise timing is crucial in slapstick. The comedic effect hinges on the perfect execution of physical actions and reactions.
Slapstick Comedy Examples
There are so many famous slapstick movies that it was hard to pick out just a couple of examples, so I just went with my favorites.
Classic Slapstick Movies:
- Charlie Chaplin:
- Films like Modern Times and City Lights are filled with iconic slapstick moments.
- Buster Keaton:
- I absolutely love The General. It is Keaton constantly doing the impossible with his body.
- The Three Stooges:
- Their shorts and films are quintessential examples of slapstick.
Modern Slapstick:
- Home Alone (1990):
- The elaborate traps and physical comedy are prime examples of modern slapstick.
- Jim Carrey's filmography:
- Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask, and Dumb and Dumber are known for his energetic and exaggerated physical humor.
- Jackie Chan's action-comedies:
- I legitimately think Chan is one of the most underrated comedic actors of all time. His work in Rumble in the Bronx, Rush Hour, and First Strike all deliver big laughs while inside fight scenes.
Slapstick on TV:
- I Love Lucy:
- Lucille Ball's physical comedy is legendary. I mean the chocolates on the conveyor belt alone is an all-time bit.
- Mr. Bean:
- Rowan Atkinson's famous character relies heavily on visual and physical comedy.
- SpongeBob SquarePants:
- someone is always getting slapped or falling over or doing something goofy on this show. The animation allows it to have huge jokes.
Summing Up Slapstick Comedy
Now that you understand slapstick comedy, go out, step on a rake, and make someone laugh.
But seriously, slapstick comedy, I think, could make a big comeback, and these visual gags could be really fun to see in a screenplay.
If you have favorite movies or TV shows like this, I want to hear about them.
Let me know what you think in the comments.
