Graduation Term
2017
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
School of Communication
Committee Chair
Brent K. Simonds
Committee Member
Maria A. Moore
Abstract
This documentary investigates hardship and identity through humor. The film shadows the lives of three individuals who are all going through a watershed experience with their identities ranging from changes in their family dynamics, gender, or environment. Participants will be writing and performing a stand-up routine in front of a live audience that focuses on a story about their identity. The film underscores how, or if, the sender’s use of humor helps them cope or achieve closure. The film does not explore the audience’s reaction to humor. Using in-depth interviews with each comic, the film centers around the sender, highlighting the intrapersonal impact communicating through humor has on them. The scope of topics within the interviews include recounting their adversity, understanding their coping methods, discovering their humor style, and reflecting on their comedy performance in the context of their hardship.
Access Type
Thesis-Open Access
Recommended Citation
Cashman, Ryan T., "Open Mic: a Documentary Film Exploring Humorous Narratives" (2017). Theses and Dissertations. 720.
https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/etd/720
DOI
http://doi.org/10.30707/ETD2017.Cashman.R