Research - Final Research

01/20/25




After looking through our combined four sub-genres, Nicole and I decided that we will make our brief a romance-comedy. Rom-coms hold a special place in our hearts for us, and it's something that we find gives us hope and allows us to relate to the characters in a more personal way, which is something we want our viewers to experience. In order to achieve the wanted result, we would need to research conventions typical of rom-coms. 

Typical scenes:

One of the most recognizable scenes in a rom-com is the meet-cute, the moment when the two leads first cross paths. This encounter is usually awkward and thus, quite funny, which immediately establishes chemistry while setting the tone of the film. Meet-cutes exist to keep the audience curious and have them root for the relationship from the very beginning. Since meet-cutes can vary, I think it will be quite easy to create one for our brief. 

Another iconic scene is the montage or “good times” sequence, where the couple grows closer. These scenes often show dates, shared routines, or playful moments set to upbeat music, to show time passing while highlighting emotional progress. They allow the audience to believe in the relationship without sitting through every interaction, reinforcing why these two people belong together.

Rom-coms also rely heavily on the near/breakup moment, where misunderstandings or outside pressures pull the couple apart. This scene raises the emotional stakes and creates tension, even though the audience expects them to be okay and get back together. Its purpose isn’t to end the love story, but to test it, making the eventual joy from reuniting feel especially emotionally satisfying.

                                                 Kat and Patrick's montage at the bookstore, 10 Things I Hate About You

Meet-cute of Anna and William in William's bookstore, Notting Hill

Lara Jean and Peter break up, To All The Boys I've Loved Before

Links used:
https://screencraft.org/blog/the-9-elements-of-all-great-rom-coms/
https://www.amctheatres.com/amc-scene/10-elements-every-rom-com-needs
https://www.fromfadeintofadeout.com/blog/rom-coms-structure-a-match-made-in-heaven
https://nofilmschool.com/romantic-comedy-definition#

Codes and Conventions:

A key convention of romantic comedies is the use of contrasting character archetypes. The central couple is often built around opposites; different personalities, social classes, or lifestyles, which results in natural conflicts and is the perfect place to add in humor. This contrast is achieved through dialogue, costume, and behavior of the characters, and it keeps audiences engaged by allowing growth and compromise to drive the romance, much alike real couples. 

Rom-coms also follow clear cinematography and lighting conventions that reinforce their tone. Two-shots and close-ups are used to emphasize emotional connection and comedic reactions, while natural lighting creates a warm and inviting atmosphere, and adds to the romantic tone. These visual choices make the genre feel comforting, encouraging viewers to emotionally invest in the characters.

Sound and editing further help the rom-com experience, like using popular music soundtracks that help signal emotional shifts, while slower pacing and continuity editing keep the story easy to follow. Voiceovers or musical cues are used to guide the audience’s feelings, ensuring that both the comedy and romance land without confusion or give them whiplash. Editing can also be used to add nostalgia by using old techniques, as drawing out such feelings enhance the experience of viewers. 

Overall Reflection:

Researching genres both broadly and in-depth helped me understand how films rely on shared expectations, but focusing specifically on rom-com conventions allowed me to understand exactly how much thought goes into making sure the audience understands the intended messages. I can now see how character types, structure, and film techniques work together rather than independently, and how I should think about achieving them. That said, I feel like I still need to research some more on producing, especially casting, since a rom-com heavily depends on strong chemistry between actors. Because of this, I’m not sure sure whether a romantic comedy is the most realistic choice for our project, as finding willing participants may be difficult. Choosing a different genre or combining them may be necessary, but I don't think it will hinder us in the process of creating our brief.

Links used:
https://prezi.com/rkxwxfdt1wj4/codes-conventions-of-romcom/
https://beckywarda2coursework.blogspot.com/2014/09/conventions-of-romantic-comedy-film.html
https://nofilmschool.com/romcom-genre#