Genre Conventions
When someone asks what type of film a certain movie is, your first response will probably be to think of its genre. A genre is a classification such as science-fiction, western, horror, comedy, musical, or romance. There are many genres, and each of them has developed conventions over time to help define the stories that belong to it.
Genre conventions are elements of a story that become expected once we place it in a certain genre. To put it another way, if a story has these elements, it helps us define the story's genre. For instance, a film that introduces a make-believe technology then explores that technology's impact on the world is classified as science-fiction. A film that features a plot centering around a group of people trying to break into a place and steal some stuff is called a heist film. Other conventions of the heist genre include:
Here's a great site that lists many of the most common genres and their sub-genres and gives extensive information on conventions and other things for the genre you select.
Genre conventions are elements of a story that become expected once we place it in a certain genre. To put it another way, if a story has these elements, it helps us define the story's genre. For instance, a film that introduces a make-believe technology then explores that technology's impact on the world is classified as science-fiction. A film that features a plot centering around a group of people trying to break into a place and steal some stuff is called a heist film. Other conventions of the heist genre include:
- A team of quirky specialists, usually including a fighter or weapons expert, a technology specialist or hacker, a mastermind, a suave, attractive person, an expert thief, and often a rookie, new to the breaking and entering game.
- A lot of people in pinstripe suits or elegant dresses who end up peeling off those clothes to reveal black tactical-type bodysuits or other clothing with hidden compartments. At least one character in search of redemption.
- The place being broken into is often owned or run by an old enemy.
- Secret identities and other hidden information come out during the mission that would have prevented the mission if they were known ahead of time.
- And other things.
Here's a great site that lists many of the most common genres and their sub-genres and gives extensive information on conventions and other things for the genre you select.