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The Rule of Three is a writing principle that suggests that a trio of events or characters is more humorous and effective. Often, the first two items set a pattern, and the third subverts expectation, leading to humor.

A running gag is a humorous element that recurs throughout a film. Each recurrence builds on audience recognition and expectation, creating a compounded comic effect.

Callbacks refer to a comedic technique where a joke or situation from earlier in the film is referred to again later. It creates humor through repetition and the audience's sense of familiarity.

Wordplay is a form of wit involving the playful manipulation of language. Puns, double entendres, and malapropisms are all part of wordplay, which can elicit laughs through surprise and recognition.

Black comedy, or dark humor, makes light of subjects that are generally considered serious, disturbing, or taboo. It is used to create comedic relief, provoke thought, and challenge societal norms.

Self-deprecation is a form of humor where the comedian or character makes fun of themselves. It's often used to endear the audience and to show a lack of ego, which can be funny.

Exaggeration in comedy amplifies characteristics or situations to absurd levels. Used to elicit laughs by making light of real-world situations, rendering them humorously implausible.

A double act involves two comedians playing off each other. Typically one is the straight man, setting up the jokes, and the other is the funny man, delivering punchlines. The contrast and interplay is where the humor lies.

Satire uses humor, irony, and exaggeration to expose and criticize societal norms and vices. It’s used to provoke thought as well as to entertain by making serious issues laughable.

A sight gag involves a visual element that is unexpected and humorous. It relies on visual punchlines and often does not require dialogue.

Parody imitates the style of a particular genre, work, or artist for comic effect. It often exaggerates certain traits to highlight absurdity or to poke fun at the original.

Breaking the fourth wall involves characters acknowledging they are part of a film. This can be humorous by subverting the normal separation between viewer and character and by engaging the audience directly.

Situational comedy, or sitcom, is based on humor derived from situations the characters find themselves in. The comedy often arises from the character's relationships and reactions to the setting.

Comedic relief is a character or situation specifically introduced into a narrative to provide humor. It offsets more serious moments and helps maintain a lighter tone throughout the work.

A mockumentary is a fictional film or series designed to mimic the conventions of a documentary. Humor is derived from the juxtaposition of documentary formality with the absurdity of the events portrayed.

Improvisation in comedy filmmaking allows actors to create dialogue and actions spontaneously. This can lead to authentic, unexpected moments of humor that are often more relatable to the audience.

Slapstick is a physical comedy technique involving exaggerated, sometimes violent actions. It elicits laughter through shock, surprise, and the relief of seeing someone else in a humorous predicament.

Irony in comedy involves a situation where the outcome is the opposite of what is expected. It can be used to create humor by subverting typical situations or through sarcastic remarks.

Deadpan comedy is delivered with deliberate emotional expressionlessness. The humor comes from the contrast between the delivery and the content of the statement, often highlighting absurdity.