Genre Interweaving: Horror and Comedy

Horror and comedy have been present since art has existed. As theatrical performances or even stories, they have been passed down from generation to generation. Both genres were popular in ancient Greece in the form of epics and theatrical performances and maintain this popularity to this day, developing various subgenres.

Problem

Horror and comedy have been present since art has existed. As theatrical performances or even stories, they have been passed down from generation to generation.

Solution and Method

Both genres were popular in ancient Greece in the form of epics and theatrical performances and maintain this popularity to this day, developing various subgenres. The author began with research and analysis of the history of comedy and horror, aided by various literature. He found that both genres have much in common, as they date back centuries.

Horror developed from early mythological and folklore stories that included elements of fear and the supernatural, where the hero must face various monsters. Meanwhile, comedy developed through ancient cultures such as Greek (from which the word comedy derives, meaning "to rejoice") and Roman, and has accompanied human experience through the centuries. Both genres have a rich history and have adapted and developed according to the times and what is modern or popular.

Nevertheless, they remain key elements of entertainment and artistic expression in the film industry and other art forms. To gain more understanding and ideas about what makes good comedy and horror, he listened to and read various interviews and comments from directors and screenwriters. He researched different subgenres of comedy and horror, then continued with an analysis of three films in the continuation of the diploma thesis.

Although all three films he selected fall under horror comedies, they differ in their approach to this interesting genre. The first film is "Gremlins" and is the most typical horror comedy of the three, as it excellently combines humour and horror without appearing amateurish. The creatures (gremlins) are simultaneously very funny and entertaining, yet also frightening in tense moments. "The Cabin in the Woods" offers insight into genre meta-analysis and subversion of expectations.

The film plays with horror conventions in a humorous way and reveals how it can exceed audience expectations and create surprising plot twists. "Scary Movie" is an example of film parody that plays with genre clichés and horror stereotypes. This film offers insight into a humorous approach to genre elements and emphasises and critiques certain aspects of other films. Through analysis of these three films, he learnt a great deal about creating tension, humour, and the use of genre conventions and subversion of expectations in filmmaking.

Above all, he learnt much about the history and evolution of both genres, which particularly interest him.