Name that Film Genre. Nearly the entire entertainment industry is based on genres. Learning which...

Name that

Film Genre

Nearly the entire entertainment industry is

based on genres.

Learning which genres are best for you can help you crystallize a voice that is uniquely yours and can allow you to write from your strengths.

You can think of genres as systems for expressing various

themes and as strategies for storytelling.

Writers typically underestimate the difficulty in mastering a genre. Each one is filled with story beats and themes that are highly choreographed. It's recommended to intensely study and specialize in no more than three.

the hero's role in the story.

When developing your story, choose a genre that will get the most out of your idea.

Imagine the basic action that the hero will take throughout the story.

For example, is the hero essentially fighting (Action), struggling (Drama),

fumbling (Comedy), in love (Romance) endangered (Thriller) or victimized (Horror)?

PART A CHOOSE 3 OF THE GENRES

Action & Adventure

Drama

Comedy

Romance

Children & Family

Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Thriller

Horror

Action & Adventure Fantasy / Mythical: Avatar (2009), E.T. (1982)

War & Military: Schindler's List (1993)

Western: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966),

Spy & Espionage: Salt (2010), The Bourne Supremacy (2004)

Gangster & Crime: The God Father (1972), Bonnie and Clyde (1967)

Martial Arts & Kung Fu: Enter the Dragon (1973)

Comic Book & Superhero: The Crow (1994)

Deadly Disasters: The Perfect Storm (2000)

The action adventure film contains formulas and components that include the

concepts of right and wrong, good “guys” and bad “guys,” physical

action, fights, chases, explosions, state-of-the-art special effects, an

emphasis on performance and athletic feats and stunts, and heroes

overcoming obstacles and dangers to accomplish an important and

moral mission. Fast paced and high energy, usually exciting stories with

new experiences, searches or expeditions. Characters are typically static,

or two-dimensional, designed for audience escapism.

Action films had the longest duration of eye contact per turn. The fact that action films contain displays of power and intimidation may be why they have the longest duration of eye contact per turn. Those with power or desiring power use more eye contact when speaking and listening.

Drama Biography / Biopic: American Splendor (2003)

Romantic: Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

Feminist: Thelma & Luise (1991)

Melodrama / Tearjerker: The Big Heat (1953)

Social Issue: Midnight Cowboy (1969) Do the Right Thing (1982), 8 mile (2002)

Political / Courtroom: Hotel Rwanda (2004), The Year of Living Dangerously (1982)

Historical / Epic: Dances with Wolves (1990) Titanic (1997)

In drama, especially heroic epics, it's all about success – the character is very goal-driven, has a big goal and goes after it, knocks through all the opposition to get there.

Drama allows viewers to feel sympathy and provides a therapeutic effect

through the protagonists’ overcoming powerful forces that make them

victims. Drama is typically a serious genre that includes tragedy in some

aspect, conveys moral value through emotion, and whose story is told

through the dialogue that demonstrates and portrays relationships. The

story relies on the relationships between the characters to drive the plot.

Characters, settings and life situations are portrayed realistically, and stories

typically involve intense character development and interaction.

Comedy Mockumentary: Hard Core Logo (1996)

Slapstick: Monty Python and the Holy Grail(1975)

Spoof and satire: Austin Powers (1997, 1999)

Screwball: The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005)

Fish-Out-Of-Water: The Big Lebowski (1998)

Romantic: The Wedding Singer (1998), Youth in Revolt (2009)

Sci-Fi: Ghost Busters (1984), Back to the Future (1985)

Dark: American Beauty (1999)

Gross Out: Dumb and Dumber (1994), American Pie (1999)

Teen: Pineapple Express (2008)

Film comedy is typically based on big structural contrasts. Comedy is typically about getting the reverse or something different that what you sought out. Usually a character gets the opposite of what they set out to get – irony.

Another aspect is the contrast between the character and the environment - the fish-out-of-water sub genre.

As a rule, you do not want to have major change for your character if you are writing a comedy... too much empathy with your hero will kill the laughs.

Plots are light-hearted and deliberately designed to amuse or provoke laughter (with one-liners, physical humour, etc.) by exaggerating the situation, language, action, relationships and characters.

Comedies focus on being fast paced with verbal and physical elements that keep the storyline going; tend to be relationship oriented.

Romance Historical / Adaptation: Romeo and Juliet (1996) Drama: Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)

Dirty Dancing (1987) Feminist: Higher Learning (1995) Gay & Lesbian: Elena Undone (2010),

Milk (2008) Erotic: The Reader (2008), Crash (1996) Teen: Twilight (2008) Indie: Reality Bites (1994)

Romantic films serve as great escapes and fantasies for viewers, especially if the two people finally

overcome their difficulties, declare their love, and experience life "happily ever after" - implied by a reunion and final kiss.

Many romantic films do not have fairy-tale, wishful-thinking stories or happy endings, although

love serves as a shield against the harshness of the real world.

Although melodramas-tearjerkers and romantic comedies may have some romance in their plots, they usually subordinate the love element to their primary goal - to provide humour or serious

drama.

The essential theme of LOVE, in its many variations:at-first-sightunrequitedobsessive

sentimentalunconditional

spiritualforbidden

sexualpassionate sacrificial

destructivetragic

Children & Family

Coming of Age: Stand by Me (1986) The Man in the Moon (1991)

Innocence: E.T. (1982) Enchantment: The Never Ending Story (1984),

Labyrinth (1986) Animal Tales: Babe (1995), Bambi (1942)

Anime & Animation *Japanese

Young Adult: AKIRA (1988), Ghost in the Shell (1995), Spirited Away (2001)

American

Young Adult: Beavis and Butthead Do America (1996)

Family & Children: Beauty and the Beast (1991), Up (2009), Toy Story 3 (2010)

Sci-Fi & Fantasy Alien Invasion: Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)

First Contact: E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

Parallel Universe: Donnie Darko (2001)

Cyberpunk: The Matrix (1999), Scanner Darkly (2006)

Dystopia: Blade Runner (1982)*, Dune (1984)*

Technology / Artificial Intelligence: Alien (1979), Pi (1998)

Space Exploration: 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Time Travel: Back to the Future (1985)

Mythic Fiction: Lord of the Rings: Fellowship (2001)*

Galactic Empire: Star Wars (1977)

Science fiction speculates on technology, gimmicks, and the

perfectible future; relying on society’s anxiety about

technology and its growth and potential for destruction with

the possibility of no future. One of the most common themes

in science fiction films is that humans are their own worst

enemy.

Sci-fi films are often quasi-scientific, visionary and imaginative –

complete with fantastic characters and improbable settings.

Thriller Gangster & Crime: Pulp Fiction (1994), Fargo (1996) Conspiracy: Pi (1998), The Insider (1999) Spy & Espionage: Dr. Strangelove, Or: (1964) Mystery & Suspense: The French Connection (1971)

In the Heat of the Night (1967) Supernatural: The Sixth Sense (1999) Psychological: Psycho (1960),

Silence of the Lambs (1991) Political: Munich (2005), The Ides of March (2011) Erotic: The Crying Game (1992)

Thriller & Horror Creatures: Vampire, Werewolf, Zombie, etc.

Nosferatu (1922), Night of the Living Dead (1968) Supernatural: The Shining (1980),

Poltergeist (1982), The Blair Witch Project (1999)

Satanic: Rosemary's Baby (1968), The Exorcist (1973) Slasher: Halloween (1978),

Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), Scream (1996), Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)

Sci-Fi: Videodrome (1983)

Horror films focus on myths and tragedy based on fear of death and the unknown; tends to by psychologically oriented, though many of the newer horror films have added a comedic twist to the storyline.

The villain is considered an anti-hero, whose identity may be known or unidentified; the hero plays the role of a victim.

Horror films are designed to frighten and to invoke the audiences' hidden worst fears, often involving a terrifying, shocking finale.

Horror films had the shortest duration of eye contact per turn. The nature of horror films probably explains the lack of eye contact in them. The fact that people are experiencing fear may play a part in not wanting to maintain eye contact for very long.

Cult Classics * Film Noir (Femme Fatale): Angel Face (1952) On the Road: Wild at Heart (1990) Outcasts: Harold and Maude (1971)

Elephant Man (1980) Heathers (1990)

Degenerate: Pink Flamingos (1972) Musical: Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

Heavy Metal (1981) Pink Floyd the Wall (1982)

Independent *Nosfertatu (1922), d. F.W. Murnau

Shadows (1959), d. John CassavetesMean Streets (1973), d. Martin ScorseseEraserhead (1977), d. David LynchStranger Than Paradise (1984), d. Jim JarmuschDrugstore Cowboy (1989), d. Gus Van SantSlacker (1991), d. Richard LinklaterReservoir Dogs (1992), d. Quentin TarantinoEl Mariachi (1992), d. Robert RodriguezFargo (1996), d. Joel CoenBlair Witch Project (1999), d. Daniel Myrick, EduardoDonnie Darko (2001), d. Richard Kelly Sanchez

"The most difficult thing in the world is to reveal yourself, to

express what you have to. As an artist, I feel that we must try

many things - but above all we must dare to fail. You must be

willing to risk everything to really express it all."

Foreign / CulturalEuropean:

Wild Strawberries (1957) Sweden Breathless (1960) FranceJules and Jim (1962) FranceAmelie (2001) FrancePersepolis (2007) FranceIn Darkness (2011) Poland

Middle East / India:

Bashu the Little Stranger (1986) IranLagaan (2001) IndiaParadise Now (2005) Palestine

Foreign / CulturalLatin America:

Pan's Labyrinth (2006) MexicoMaria Full of Grace (2004) ColombiaCity of God (2003) Brazil

Asia:Old Boy (2003) South KoreaCourching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2001) ChinaIn The Mood for Love (2000) Hong KongSeven Samurai (1954) Japan

Documentary Rockumentary Mockumentary Critical Sports Travel & Adventure Science and Nature Social & Cultural

Music & Musicals Classical Instrumental Country, Western & Folk Disco, R&B, Soul Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Punk Children's Showbiz Musicals Classic Rock & Alternative Rap & Hip Hop Dance, Urban & Pop

Sports & Fitness Stunts Documentaries Team Sports: soccer, baseball, hockey, etc Individual Sports: ice skating, running, etc Car Culture & Auto Racing Martial Arts and boxing Triumph of the Underdogs Women in Sports

Special Interest History & Social Studies Math Dance Art Teen Car Culture Food & Wine