The conventional setting for a rom-com for, aimed towards a teenage audience, are mostly set in schools or colleges such as films like 'Bring it On' and 'It's a boy Girl Thing'. Therefore many of the settings for such films are within classrooms, canteens and corridors (particularly including lockers) and so the mise-en-scene is composed of natural items such as desks, books etc. The main characters usually wear fairly plain/normal clothing which helps the audience be able to relate to them so that it is more likely for a consumer find an aspect of the character which is similar to their own. Most films also have the antagonist who is conveyed as the enemy to the main character and this disliked character can be shown through wearing a cheerleader's uniforms which have stereotypical associations from other films of a 'stuck up' personality.
Many rom-coms also include typical Proms or Dances with dramatic dresses for the female characters to be identified from others. This is apparent in 'The Cinderella Story' where the main character wears a white dress - connoting perfection- but also shows a contrast to the scenes set at home or work with her 'difficult life'. Therefore many rom-coms set in conventional high schools are composed of the typical teenage lifestyles which are usually changed in some way within the film.
Rom-coms aimed towards older audiences are usually set in work places like such films as 'The Devil Wears Prada' or 'The Ugly Truth'. This is where such typical stories as 'romance in the workplace' are shown where usually the two main characters may dress differently to one another e.g. one wearing a suit whereas the other wears more casual clothing (which supports the Cinderella story narrative). Theses films are also usually set in big cities such as New York where sub-plots are used to engage audiences and so there is a large variation of people.
The setting for rom-coms is also seen in the seasons as many are set around the holidays, for example many rom-coms such as 'Love Actually' are set at Christmas time which gives possibilities for parties where new people can meet. However Springtime can also be used for the setting so as to symbolise new life and with this may also connote new relationships. Additionally within rom-coms of different seasons, the lighting is shown in a positive way to reflect the comical aspects of the film. However within the usual plot there is a final stage of an argument such as one of the character's lying about who they are, after they have fallen in love and so at this point the lighting is reduced to echo this tone; even with pathetic fallacy although ultimately in the end the couple, in most cases, get together again creating the 'happily ever after' ending.
The conventional music used for romantic comedies is most commonly pop music because it can be upbeat suggesting a light-hearted tone. The music generally relates to the narrative and can even create a smooth transition from non-diegetic to diegetic music. However sometimes the music purposely goes against the shot which may be a humorous effect of irony or to simply create a twist in the plot.
The characters are also very conventional in rom-coms as the audience must care for the characters and be able to relate to them in some form. However it is also apparent that in rom-coms they are not always the comical characters, for example there is usually a best friend, teacher or college who creates the comedy (such as the teacher in '10 Things I Hate About You'). Therefore the heroine in a rom-com must be easily sympathised with so that an audience can relate however they usually have a more unconventional aspect about them such as they have lived in Africa for 12 years (the main character from Mean Girls). Likewise, the hero needs to be like an almost perfect man which the audience and female are bound to fall in love with. Although both character's usually have a flaw of some sort which is effectively in creating the verisimilitude and therefore one character completes the other as they fall in love.
Some of the most quintessential rom-coms use certain comic devices which can effectively fuse together with the storyline. Such features are:
- the running gag which may be an important symbolism for the moral
- the element of surprise is also very effective however within rom-coms only a certain aspect contains this as they can sometimes be predictable.
- slapstick can also be used to help the audience to love the characters even more, through sympathy or humour
- a comic twist enables viewers to feel more connection to a character as the audience know of the real situation such as a girl believes the man has a girlfriend but it is his sister.
- minor characters are particularly crucial to a rom-com as they add another perspective and comedy.
Therefore from looking at the conventions of rom-coms my group and I will have to generate ideas for our own opening which incorporates typical aspects of rom-coms whilst creating an individual take on it.
(Pictures taken from www.imdb.com)
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