This isn't a post demonizing story structure. Structure is extremely important, I just find that nowadays, it's often misunderstood, over-simplified, and in a way, deified. Personally, I'm an advocate of Syd Field's concept of "Story determines structure".
In recent years, I've seen a decline of good Hollywood comedies. Other than a couple of "sci-fi/comedy" features on Netflix, I haven't seen much in the way of good Hollywood comedies. I recently rewatched 2019's "Good Boys", which is genius, but movies like that are far rarer than they used to be. Years back, I binged indie comedies, and found a bunch of gems, but those were not high profile films.
I think this partially has to do with a trend of rigid adherence to particular story structures, particularly common structures implemented in dramas. During the pandemic, I entered some of my comedy screenplays into various competitions. In comedy and underground comps, my screenplays killed. In more generalized or high profile comps, I didn't do so well, and the feedback was intriguing. I kept getting praise for my originality, wit, and the fact that the readers laughed all the way through the screenplay. I was then penalized for elements and expectations I found more appropriate to drama. I was penalized for not structuring my screenplays like dramas, even though part of the reason they're so funny, is because I don't structure them like dramas.
Throughout cinema history, structures in comedy films have varied greatly based on the style, message, and intent of the type of comedy being implemented. I have a hard time believing that classic films like "Airplane", "Monty Python and the Holy Grail", and "Young Frankenstein" could be made today. "The Naked Gun"? That would be seen as a structural nightmare.
How do you all feel about this dynamic? Do you agree or disagree? Do you think I'm missing something?
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False. Your info is from contests, which has 0 to do with making movies.
Dan MaxXx , it still has to do with attitudes that exist in the industry. I've heard similar sentiments from lots of people outside of the world of contests. Contests just serve as a good example.
Chris. Who are these people outside the world of contests you are refering to?
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Dan Guardino , it's a mix. Some are fellow screenwriters, others producers, executives, film scholars, and critics. This certainly isn't a view held by everyone (the adherence to strict story structure), but it's increased a lot in recent years. It just makes it harder and more time consuming to get good comedies made, and in front of an audience. I met a couple of accomplished producers - accomplished in other genres - who claimed that comedies weren't selling or couldn't be sold. I found that odd, because comedies have been popular throughout cinema history. There could be other reasons why comedies are struggling nowadays; political correctness hasn't done comedy any favours, although some still break through.
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I agree that nuanced comedic stories are more rare. Solid observation. I tend to gravitate towards dramedy for it's more unique storylines.
There are some great dramedies out there, but I certainly am missing all the absurdist comedies and satires that used to pop up. Tv/streaming still have some enduring stuff: "South Park", "Lower Decks", "Final Space", and "Brooklyn 99" was a pure joy up until the last season.
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Watching Brooklyn 99 as we speak. It's funny for sure. Sometimes Peralta gets a little gnawing on the senses but it's a great show.
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I would say, it was one of the most influential sitcoms since "Arrested Development". Now "Arrested Development", that really had a structure of its own, and the last season had a completely different structure to anything I've ever seen in a sitcom.