The SpoofThe Spoof

A presentation by Tom and A presentation by Tom and ErinErin

““Spoof”Spoof”

• Films that make fun of other films/genresFilms that make fun of other films/genres• There is no such thing as an original spoofThere is no such thing as an original spoof• magnify familiar roles from whatever magnify familiar roles from whatever

authentic genre is being spoofedauthentic genre is being spoofed• Example: Tom Cruise from “Top Gun” is Example: Tom Cruise from “Top Gun” is

risk taking and masculine. His spoof risk taking and masculine. His spoof alternative, Charlie Sheen in “Hot Shots” alternative, Charlie Sheen in “Hot Shots” and “Hot Shots: Part Deux,” takes those and “Hot Shots: Part Deux,” takes those characteristics to the extreme (overly characteristics to the extreme (overly masculine and unrealistic risk taking).masculine and unrealistic risk taking).

ExamplesExamplesGenreGenre Authentic Authentic

TitleTitleSpoofSpoof

GangsterGangster ““The Godfather,” The Godfather,” “Good Fellas”“Good Fellas”

““Mafia”Mafia”

WesternWestern (any John Wayne)(any John Wayne) ““Blazing Saddles”Blazing Saddles”

HorrorHorror ““Jason,” Jason,” “Halloween”“Halloween”

““Army of Army of Darkness,” “Young Darkness,” “Young Frankenstein,” Frankenstein,” “Scary Movie”“Scary Movie”

Martial ArtsMartial Arts ““Romeo Must Die,” Romeo Must Die,” “Enter the Dragon”“Enter the Dragon”

““Kung Pow”Kung Pow”

Crime/Film NoirCrime/Film Noir ““Pink Panther”Pink Panther”

ActionAction ““Top Gun,” “Lethal Top Gun,” “Lethal Weapon”Weapon”

““Hot Shots,” Hot Shots,” “Loaded Weapon”“Loaded Weapon”

Science FictionScience Fiction ““Aliens,” “Star Aliens,” “Star Wars”Wars”

““Spaceballs”Spaceballs”

Agents of SpoofAgents of Spoof

• Director/producer: Sam Raimi and Director/producer: Sam Raimi and Mel Brooks, the Wayans BrothersMel Brooks, the Wayans Brothers

• Actors: Leslie Nielson, Charlie Sheen, Actors: Leslie Nielson, Charlie Sheen, Mel Brooks, Gene Wilder, Rick Mel Brooks, Gene Wilder, Rick Moranis, etc. Moranis, etc.

Audience AnalysisAudience Analysis

• Spoofs attract corny people vs. film connoisseursSpoofs attract corny people vs. film connoisseurs• Short box office lifeShort box office life• Huge cult following and rental salesHuge cult following and rental sales• People who just want to laughPeople who just want to laugh• Audience values/assumptions vary but this is Audience values/assumptions vary but this is

generally true: generally true: – nothing is sacred or off limits; “Life of Brian” spoofs Jesusnothing is sacred or off limits; “Life of Brian” spoofs Jesus– change is bad; keep plot, characters and settings familiar change is bad; keep plot, characters and settings familiar

• Social—you can watch spoof with friends and not Social—you can watch spoof with friends and not pay attention to the moviepay attention to the movie

Spoof As An ArtSpoof As An Art

• Cheesy linesCheesy lines• Predictable plot, setting and characterizationPredictable plot, setting and characterization• Verbatim lines/quotes/events from authentic Verbatim lines/quotes/events from authentic

filmsfilms• Fly in the face of film watching social Fly in the face of film watching social

mores/codesmores/codes• Simple, no real critical thinking energy Simple, no real critical thinking energy

requiredrequired• Symbiotic relationship to authentic genresSymbiotic relationship to authentic genres• Usually low budget, however that may be Usually low budget, however that may be

changingchanging