HitFlik’s Post

On Comedy TV Shows/Films and Horror Films/TV Shows; Is the rhetoric that Comedy is cultural and does not translate internationally and to the mass audience accurate? Unless you're perhaps doing something broadly physical… Well, let’s unpack this by analyzing the comparison on why a genre like Horror yields a greater return on investment (Audience, Engagement + Profitability) than a genre like Comedy. Firstly, what scares us is UNIVERSAL and what makes us laugh is VERY Regional/Cultural. There isn’t a Universal Sense of Humor. Audiences and Viewers all across the political hue cycle and age groups can enjoy the same Horror Films, but the things they laugh at will differ a lot. Horror as a genre gives great Return On Investment. The general audiences can expect to enjoy a Horror Film or TV Show even if it’s mediocre, as long as it hits the core beats they want; 1. Gore. 2. Terror. 3. Shock. 4. Mystery. 5. Supernatural. 6. Jump Scares. 7. Spooky Imagery. 8. A Few Graphic Kills. 9. The Hidden Monster. 10. Haunted Areas/Places. 11. The Mounting Suspense. 12. More Action than Dialogue. (Show the audience - don’t tell them - what the characters are afraid of). The economics of Horror are far better than Comedy. Horror has a broader mass appeal, more passionate fan base, is strong internationally and franchises more easily than Comedy. Comedy is also far more fragile - “bad” comedy bombs but “bad” Horror can still do huge numbers. Sadly this model does not transfer to Comedy because what people want from Comedies is much more varied than what they want from Horror Films and TV Shows. Not everyone has the same Comedic Taste and their Comedy might not work outside their Region or Cultural surroundings. People’s perspective on Humor is different and it does not translate well internationally. NB: Comedy is quite subjective in a way that Horror is not. Until the over-curation that muzzles Comedy is loosened, Comedies will unfortunately won’t be making a dominant return to Films and TV shows anytime soon. #ScreenWriting #Film #TV #Television #Visual #Storytelling #Story #Comedy #Horror #Movies #MassAppeal #Audience #Viewer #Engagement #ReturnOnInvestment

Movie Review: Sankranthiki Vasthunamu Director: Anil Ravipudi Cast: Daggubati Venkatesh, Aishwarya Rajesh, Meenakshi Chaudhary Producer: Dil Raju Release: Sankranti Special Sankranthiki Vasthunamu is a festive family entertainer directed by Anil Ravipudi, who is known for his comedy and action-packed films. Starring Daggubati Venkatesh, Aishwarya Rajesh, and Meenakshi Chaudhary, the movie was released as a Sankranti treat. While it has its moments, the film doesn’t fully live up to expectations. The first half focuses on introducing the characters and setting up their stories. However, this part feels slow and stretched because it tries too hard to explain everything about the characters. By the time the interval comes, the audience might feel like the story is dragging. On the bright side, there are two songs in the first half, and one of them, sung by Ramana Gogula and Madhu Priya, became very popular before the movie’s release. A few comedy scenes bring some laughs, but overall, the humor is not as impactful as it should be. The second half starts with promise, but the story takes a hit as it includes unnecessary and irrelevant scenes. The film introduces two parallel storylines, but they fail to connect emotionally. Towards the end, the movie tries to include a meaningful message, but it feels forced and unrelated to the rest of the story. While the message itself is important, it doesn’t fit naturally into the film and feels like it was added as an afterthought. One of the major drawbacks is the lack of chemistry between Venkatesh and the heroines, Aishwarya Rajesh and Meenakshi Chaudhary. Venkatesh delivers his usual charm, but the interactions with the leading ladies don’t create the magic that’s expected in a family entertainer. The film moves at the same pace without any exciting twists or highs, leaving the audience feeling underwhelmed. While Anil Ravipudi is a talented director, this time, the storytelling and casting let him down. The comedy, which is usually his strength, also doesn’t hit the mark. Verdict: Sankranthiki Vasthunamu is a movie that tries to entertain families but struggles to keep the audience engaged. It has a few enjoyable moments and festive vibes, but overall, it falls short of expectations. Watch it if you’re a fan of Venkatesh or if you’re looking for light entertainment, but don’t expect anything extraordinary.

New to Netflix today is the action comedy sequel, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F. The film is the fourth entry in the Beverly Hills Cop movie series, and the first new entry in 20 years. You can read my review of the Eddie Murphy-starring movie here. #Movies #Films #FilmCritic #MovieCritic #Writer

Want to make a comedy advert, but scared of not getting it right? Here are 4x simple ways to make it less daunting: - Pull relevant references from films, shows and stand-up specials Not only can it inspire you in how you structure your comedy, but you can see something already tried & tested on screen. Goes a long way to appease stakeholders. - Allow flexibility with the script. While it's key to get a script approved by all stakeholders, the longer I think about a comedy script, the more ideas for refinement I get. Those little tweaks bit by bit make your script go from good to great. Don't lose that part of the process for the sake of internal sign-offs. - Film a lo-fi version As a director, I always film a lo-fi version of the film on my phone, so I can see how it cuts together. That way, if a joke isn't landing, I can make tweaks in advance rather than having to do it on the shoot. - Hire comedy specialists It might be obvious but you don't need to be confident with comedy, you just need confidence in the people you hire. Not just script writers & directors, but comedy actors too. Scrimping on talent perpetually undermines how good your ad can be. For more comedy film-making tips, give me a follow.

Comedy is in a strange place right now. It’s not dead, but it doesn’t feel the same as it did in the '90s, 2000s, or even the 2010s. Comedic movies and network sitcoms aren’t being produced at the same rate. Many 30-minute episodic series aren’t really aiming to be funny anymore. Late night has essentially turned into “Day Night” or “YouTube Night.” Growing up in the '90s and early 2000s, I only watched sitcoms. These days, I rarely do. As a retired (failed) stand-up comedian and current comedy writer, I’m passionate about the cultural impact of comedic TV shows and films. 'Martin', 'Beverly Hills Cop', 'The Office', 'Austin Powers'—all of these had a significant cultural impact. There have been some great episodic shows in the last few years, but it's becoming more rare that they are culturally impactful. Sitcoms and comedic movies are competing with funny 30-second reels and social media comments in ways that horror and superhero films don’t. You’ll never see a 30-second horror clip on TikTok that matches the entertainment value of a well-crafted film. That’s why I’m excited to organize and moderate the Black Film Space "State of Comedy" panel with Meredith Dawson (Co-EP of Paramount+'s 'Everybody Still Hates Chris'), Sachi Ezura (VP of Adult Animation at Paramount Global), and Sam Jay (HBO’s 'Pause with Sam Jay'). I’m looking forward to hearing their insights on the current state of comedy, what networks are looking for, and where they believe comedy is heading culturally. What are your thoughts on the state of comedy right now? Check the comments for details on how to register for the panel!

Some (sympathetic, hopefully useful) thoughts on Spotlight entries for actors from a director: No video showreel: On what basis am I supposed to cast you? Scene-setting, titles, etc: I have to review lots of profiles. Just show us the acting. Other actors: Only show your bit as much as possible. Sometimes I can't tell which performer is you because I don't know you well. I'm casting a comedy: A reel marked "Comedy" is very useful for me, it gets me straight there. Be weird: You can't please everyone, so be the best in your niche. If you're a French contortionist, own it, don't go for the Greek tap-dancing roles. Hope that helps.

🎥 Making People Laugh is Serious Business 🎬 Comedy is one of the toughest genres to get right. It’s not just about landing a joke; it’s about timing, authenticity, and creating moments that resonate long after the punchline. Whether it’s a goofy short set in a dead mall (Mall Quest) or a story about a cowboy-turned-Uber driver chasing love in NYC (Cowboy Taxi), comedy gives us a way to tackle life’s absurdities while finding the humanity in every laugh. At Hollenbeck Film + Experience (HFE), we approach comedy with the same precision and care as any drama or thriller. It’s about creating characters and stories that feel real, even in the most ridiculous situations. Laughter isn’t just entertainment—it’s a way to connect, to reflect, and sometimes, to heal. To all the creators, writers, and producers out there making people laugh: Keep going. The world can always use more of what you do. Let’s hear it—what’s your favorite comedy movie or show, and why does it stick with you? Drop it in the comments! #Filmmaking #Comedy #Storytelling #HollenbeckFilms #LaughOutLoud

Luck is when preparation meets opportunity. I “read” this book about the making of Airplane! and still was dumbfounded by how many big names and major studios passed on making the greatest comedy movie of all time. Most simply didn’t get it, despite the success and example of Kentucky Fried Movie and KF Theatre. Every studio passed on the script. It took 5 years to get it produced! Serendipity, as much as talent, played a huge role in making Airplane! a reality. If it weren’t for Susan Baerwald, a script reader who was family friends w Michael Eisner, the project would never have gotten off the ground. At every turn, ZAZ seemed to make the right choice; however, they succeeded in large part because they stuck to a few principles: 1. Play it straight. The actors can’t let on that they know they’re in a comedy. 2. Maintain creative control. 3. Stick together. Zucker, Abrahams, and Zucker were the first 3-person team to direct a major Hollywood picture. 4. Believe in your product. https://lnkd.in/gadCEJ59

In a surprising yet much-anticipated announcement, filmmaker Karan Johar unveiled his upcoming romantic comedy ‘Tu Meri Main Tera, Main Tera Tu Meri,’ starring Kartik Aaryan. This project marks the first collaboration between Johar and Aaryan, setting the stage for a promising partnership in Bollywood, PTI reported from Mumbai.... Read More At:- https://lnkd.in/g-iT8sKr #KartikAaryan #filmmaker #KaranJohar #romanticcomedy #bollywood #news #NewsUpdate #newsfeed #dailynews #IBWNews

Do you watch films or TV series in English? If not, I recommend giving it a try. Pick something light like a comedy or maybe watch something that you already know. If a film or TV series feels too long, look for short videos on Youtube or Tedtalks. The important point is enjoying the experience, not making it feel like a task and the more you do it, the easier it gets! I remember the first time I "cracked up" watching a comedy in Italian in a cinema and it was the moment I knew that I really did understand Italian 😊 and I promise you will feel the same too! Happy Learning! #ListeningSkills #LearningTips #EnglishTraining