ROMANTIC COMEDY GENRE RESEARCH

Most rom-coms follow the Todorov narrative:

1. There is a clear state of equilibrium. (A calm)
2. There is a disruption.
3. There is recognition of the disruption.
4. There is an attempt to restore the equilibrium.
5. A new equilibrium is achieved.

Also, some narratives are:

1. The basic narrative of a Romantic Comedy is that two characters, usually a man and a woman, meet somehow, part ways due to an argument or other problem, then in the end reunite.
2. Sometimes they are hesitant to become romantically involved because they believe that they do not like each other, because one of them already has a partner, or because of social pressures or positions. However, the screenwriters leave clues that suggest that the characters are, in fact, attracted to each other and that they would be a good love match.

Lastly, some more common trends are:

1. Two protagonists, one male and one female. Are not in a relationship.
2. Often set around the female. Her POV.
3. Normally set in an urban environment, centered around the work place where a chance encounter would happen.
4. Deny they love each other.
5. Often some sexual innuendo script.
6. They always get together in the end.

Setting:

Romantic comedy films are usually set in big/ well known cities such as London, New York City or LA. There are however some rom-coms that are set in small and sometimes unknown locations, this is usually somehow linked to the plot of the film.

Lighting:

Romantic comedy is an uplifting light-hearted genre, so there is generally high key lighting throughout the film; this produces a very flattering, natural effect which also matches the general mood of the film. Typically in rom-coms there is a point where a relationship faces some challenges, in these scenes, the lighting tend to changes sometimes to lower key, simply to mirror the mood of that point in the storyline.