The book “Understanding Animation,” by Paul Wells, features a section describing “the 25 ways to start laughing.” It shows the different approaches to comedy used in animation and the different audiences they appeal to. The book analysis certain animations such as Chuck Jones’s, Road Runner, as well as Warner Bros and Pixar films.
The book starts of looking at early animations and the “magical surprise” gag- a technique used to totally shock the audience into disbelief through manipulation of physical laws- the viewer observes things they would not normally see and this is where the joke took place.
Other important traits described were the importance of personality, to the point where the audience would believe that the character could have an off-screen life. Personality allows the viewer to connect with the characters emotion, through his gestures and expressions.
Comedies such as Road Runner have certain guidelines and structure, which the cartoon follows every time. Repetition is used and the content is recognisable by the audience. They know that the coyote will always fail in his attempt to catch the road runner- the humour is created by witnessing how he fails.
Black comedy, described as “the fine line between tragedy and comedy” is also addressed in the book, with the analysis of the film Hamature night. The self-conscious approach to animation is discussed with the analysis of “Bob’s Birthday,” a film about a man who ends up talking to his wife about private matters, only to be totally unaware that his guests, who are hiding for his surprise party, can hear every word.
The book shows comedy from every angle, through analysis of current and early animated films. It describes how some animators choose to have rules for each episode whilst others choose not to. Expectation, repetition, visual, literal and verbal gags are all covered in detail in this well written and informative book.
The book starts of looking at early animations and the “magical surprise” gag- a technique used to totally shock the audience into disbelief through manipulation of physical laws- the viewer observes things they would not normally see and this is where the joke took place.
Other important traits described were the importance of personality, to the point where the audience would believe that the character could have an off-screen life. Personality allows the viewer to connect with the characters emotion, through his gestures and expressions.
Comedies such as Road Runner have certain guidelines and structure, which the cartoon follows every time. Repetition is used and the content is recognisable by the audience. They know that the coyote will always fail in his attempt to catch the road runner- the humour is created by witnessing how he fails.
Black comedy, described as “the fine line between tragedy and comedy” is also addressed in the book, with the analysis of the film Hamature night. The self-conscious approach to animation is discussed with the analysis of “Bob’s Birthday,” a film about a man who ends up talking to his wife about private matters, only to be totally unaware that his guests, who are hiding for his surprise party, can hear every word.
The book shows comedy from every angle, through analysis of current and early animated films. It describes how some animators choose to have rules for each episode whilst others choose not to. Expectation, repetition, visual, literal and verbal gags are all covered in detail in this well written and informative book.
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