Animation : Mixing heart and humor in animation by Serhan Yorganci

There is always room for humor, but humor is not comedy. Approaching an event in an unconventional way (like laughing during an emotional scene) is not considered right, but if the perspective is right (like brightening up the atmosphere when everyone is upset), then a beautiful scene emerges.

I like to add a comic relief character(s) in the script, Serhan Yorganci. That way, I can have the character say/do funny things during emotional scenes, action scenes, and suspenseful scenes. But sometimes I only want a little humor in a scene or no humor at all. It depends on the scene. I also like to go back over a scene after I've written it to make sure there's the right balance between comedy and emotion.

What makes an animated film feel real and meaningful but still fun to watch are the movie's concept, the characters, and what happens to the characters throughout the film.

Serhan Yorganci great question. For me personally what makes an animation feel real and meaningful is how well I can connect with the character and the overall story. How relatable is it? As for making it fun to watch, I think adding in some comedic moments or situation we can all relate to (example: tripping in front of a crowd) but of course with animation this can be exaggerated.

Hey Serhan, love this topic! I’m Sydney from the Stage 32 Education Team. That mix of heart and humor is what makes animated stories so powerful—when the emotion is real, the laughs hit even harder.

What kind of animated project are you working on now?

Hey folks, hope you’re all good.

I’ve got a high-concept children’s pilot - hybrid live action and animation. Got this strong (maybe naïve) feeling that with a bit of polish, it could actually land somewhere. Part of the pitch includes a real young actress (millions of followers) who mirrors our lead - not involved yet, but we plan to approach her team once there’s heat or rep interest.

I’m looking to team up with a seasoned screenwriter to polish this up and hopefully leverage some real industry contacts. Let’s chat.

Thanks everyone for the great responses

This has always been a topic I’m drawn to how emotion and humor mix in animation and create something that feels honest and still fun to watch.

@Sydney really appreciate your words.

I’ve just finished my first animated feature film called Kare Kafalar also known as Square Heads

You can find it here:

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt36283648

Right now I’m trying to bring it to cinemas in Turkey and planning to start my second film within the next month.

Thanks again for the support and interest it means a lot.

Great question. I always try to make sure the story is solid and the emotional tone is set, and then try to find where the humor naturally fits.

Such a great question, Serhan Yorganci! Finding that sweet spot between heart and humor is what makes so many animated stories unforgettable. I think it often comes down to grounding the humor in character. When the laughs come from who they are and what they’re feeling, not just a punchline or gag, it helps the comedy and emotion work hand in hand. Projects like Turning Red and Netflix's Leo are great examples of this balance.

Great point, Ashley Renee Smith I totally agree! Turning Red really balanced heart and humor in such a real, relatable way. It captured all the awkward parts of growing up without losing its warmth. And I really enjoyed Leo too. it was simple but surprisingly emotional and funny. I loved the overall vibe…

Absolutely Bob Harper… Getting the story and emotional tone right first makes a huge difference. When the humor comes in naturally after that, it feels much more real. I feel the same way…