Blog Assignment 4

Tyler Skelton

Blog 4

1.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUpggXGHYjk&feature=relmfu

2.

FADE IN

INT. House – Day

The title “How to Play the Violin” appears with the blurred image of the house as the background. The frame shifts to inside where JOHNNY is nervously holding a violin. His father RON enters the frame.

(Ron)

Johnny you have been given a violin, now play it.

(Johnny)

But papa no.

(Ron)

Do it Johnny!

Johnny begins to PLAY the violin as he WAILS with unhappiness.

(Ron)

Yes, yes Johnny. Play the violin.

(Johnny)

Pappa!

(Ron)

Play it! Play it forever.

(Johnny)

No papa.

(Ron)

Play it!

Johnny continues poorly PLAYING the violin as he CRYS. Johnny’s mother enters the frame.

(Mother)

What is going on in here?

(Johnny)

Mamma, help me.

(Mother)

Ron you put an end to this immediately.

(Ron)

But the boy has to learn.

(Mother)

Ron..

(Ron)

Johnny! Stop playing the violin.

(Johnny)

Thank you papa.

Ron grunts disapprovingly and walks off-screen. Johnny’s mother whispers to Johnny.

(Mother)

..Play the violin Johnny.

A frame of credits appears.

FADE OUT

3.

 This clip was a perfect example of the diverse brand of comedy that exists on the internet today. Older generations might not have enjoyed this video as much as I did, however after analyzing simple elements of the clip like time and space, perhaps I could explain the comedy to others and make them understand why millions of people view clips such as this one and find them so hilarious; as I do. For starters there were many qualities that made that clip funny; one of them has to do with the speed and loudness of the character’s awkward voices. Ron’s deep and commanding voice contrasts Johnny’s because of the fact that Johnny spoke quickly and highly which made him sound younger and his torturous wailing showed how pitiful he felt as he was forced to play. The illustrator/creator of this clip depicted habituation by creating and reusing the images of the characters with little non-facial movements that adds inexpensive but visually satisfying animation to this unique production. This animation is also funny because it was created with very emotional but unnecessary dialogue, for example Johnny’s pitiful moaning, Ron’s angry sigh, and the mother’s strange whispered command that Johnny continue to play the violin. These audio and digital elements are some of the reasons milions of online viewers found “How to Play the Violin” so funny.