Romantic Comedy Elements Conventions Romantic Comedies are Popular

Romantic Comedy Elements & Conventions

Romantic Comedies are Popular for Many Reasons: n Lasting popularity n Moderate cost – compared to films with special effects n Consistently offer strong parts for actors – Men and women

FACTS, FACTS… n Since Sleepless in Seattle (1993)… – Each year, a RC has surpassed $100 million dollars

Romantic Comedies n The best RC are – – n Funny Romantic Entertaining Explore inner emotions, growth, and feelings of characters we relate to RC force their heroes to develop EMOTIONAL courage to prevail over inner fears and weakness

Conventions of a Romantic Comedy n “The Chemical Equation” – Introduction of the primary point-of-view character that shows what is missing in their personal life – Showcases the main inner and outer conflict (man vs self; man vs man) for the protagonist – Secondary Lead = the love interest – introduced – There should be an intuition that the love interest can fulfill the need in protagonist’s life

Conventions n The Meet Cute – The incident that brings the protagonist and love interest together – Sets up the conflict between them – Meeting should set the tone for their relationship – Links to theme of the film

Conventions n. A Romantic Complication – A development that raises the stakes – Defines the main protagonist’s goal – Puts the protagonist in conflict with emotions § Either an internal issue or external conflict

Conventions n The Hook – Midpoint – Binds the couple – Influences how their relationship will work out – There is no way out of the relationship – they’re in it together – Repeat/reflect the film’s theme

Conventions n Swivel – A turning point – Adds greater suspense – The relationship jeopardizes the protagonist’s original goal OR the original goal is changed – Protagonist is forced to choose between love and the goal

Conventions n Dark Moment – The aftermath of the consequences of the swivel – All characters reveal their private motivations (goals) – Seems like the love or goal is lost forever – The main character is at his/her most vulnerable point

Conventions n Joyful Defeat – Reconciliation between the characters reaffirms how important the relationship is – Usually a happy ending implies marriage § At the cost of something the main character had to sacrifice

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