"When Frank the Pug is singing I Will Survive, the only reason it's funny is that Will is in that shot trying not to get angry. A shot of a dog singing I Will Survive on its own will not get a laugh"

Barry Sonnenfeld's quote discuss an essential aspect of comedy and storytelling: context and character interaction are important for humor to work successfully. In the particular scenario discussed, including Frank the Pug singing "I Will Survive", the humor does not exclusively stem from the unanticipated sight of a dog performing a renowned disco anthem. Instead, it stems from the responses and interactions of the other characters in the scene, particularly Will Smith's character, who is attempting to preserve his composure and not snap despite the absurdity of the situation.

Sonnenfeld recommends that a shot of just a pet dog singing may produce a chuckle purely from its absurdity, however it's the layered context that raises it to something truly amusing. This includes comprehending the setting, the characters, and their relationships. Will Smith's struggle to reduce inflammation invites the audience to share in the ludicrousness of the moment, developing a shared, comical experience. This aligns with a broader comedic principle where vibrant interactions, tensions, and contrasts in between characters improve humor.

Furthermore, the quote highlights the value of human responses in comedy. While anthropomorphism (giving animals human traits) can be entertaining, the added layer of a human character's effort to browse or handle such absurdity builds a richer comical texture. This scenario exhibits how reactions magnify humor, inviting audiences to feel sorry for a character's situation while enjoying the silliness of the scenario.

Sonnenfeld's insight advises viewers and developers alike that humor typically depends on the interaction between characters and scenarios instead of the unreasonable components alone. The success of comical scenes often depends on the complex dance of actions and responses, where context enriches the comical capacity of any given minute.