Laugh It Up
Credit: Disney
“I am your father” is the most-remembered line from “The Empire Strikes Back,” easily the darkest film of the original Star Wars trilogy. But what comes in second? A strong case can be made for, “laugh it up, fuzzball,” punctuated by Chewbacca grunt-chuckling so hard that he’s banging his head against the doorway.
In a film filled with intense action, heavy themes, and not much good news for the good guys, how does a seemingly throwaway one-liner joke endure? Because it wasn’t a throwaway at all; it came right when the audience needed it. From, “you’re going to need a bigger boat,” to “hasta la vista … baby,” to, “I’ve had it with these [er … monkey-fighting?] snakes on this [um … hmm. Monday to Friday?] plane,” we see time and time again the capacity of a well-placed laugh to carry audiences through in genres ranging from action to drama to horror.
Credit: www.tenor.com
Making people laugh is the primary objective for many destinations, and for good reason. We cater to those looking for an escape from day-to-day dramas, and we help bring people together. We even provide numerous health benefits in doing so. No, seriously. According to the Mayo Clinic, laughter stimulates internal organs (in good ways, just to be clear), alleviates stress and tension, and may even help to improve immune systems and relieve pain. And according to an acquaintance of my best friend’s brother-in-law on Facebook in France, laughter might even cure COVID-19. (OK, fine. Not serious about that last one.)
©Josh Hallett / Flicker
Many attractions at destinations are focused almost exclusively on generating laughs, from the interactive stand-up (swim-up?) routines of Turtle Talk with Crush to the nonstop one-liner barrage of Jungle Cruise to the topsy-turvy sight gags of Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem.
Some of the most memorable laughs come from attractions where they’re less expected. Think about the jump-scare followed immediately by a laugh when you realize (spoiler alert) a goofy ghost has joined you at the end of Haunted Mansion. Or when “the devil” emerges during Knott’s Berry Farm’s Halloween stage show, “The Hanging,” sporting a sparkly red suit and cracking that he’s known in Canada as Justin Bieber.
The benefits of good laughs like these are hard to ignore, but we sometimes do just that when it comes to live events at destinations. For many events, we’re primarily focused on creating a visual spectacle with over-the-top action, or we’re looking to appeal to different emotional reactions, ranging from joyful tears to armrest-grabbing tension.
… the right line at the right time will always enhance an audience experience …
Unexpected laughs create lasting impressions, impressions that can even be used to ease tension around some of the challenges associated with visiting a destination. Case in point: looking again to Star Wars (and unfortunately, also to COVID-19), the use of Stormtroopers at Disney resorts to reinforce masking and social-distancing precautions helps to not only inform guests on policies, but to do so in a way that takes the air out of a charged issue.
Timing and appropriateness are key, but the right line at the right time will always enhance an audience experience, regardless of the primary intent of an event. For event creators at destinations especially, it’s a reminder not to forget what brought people there all week … and chances are, it wasn’t the veal ...
Credit: 123rf.com
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