Tropes

Definition

Tropes are common themes, motifs, or clichés that recur in storytelling, often providing a shorthand for certain character types, plot developments, or emotional beats. They help establish genre conventions and set audience expectations, while also allowing filmmakers to subvert or play with those expectations in creative ways.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tropes can serve as shortcuts for storytelling, helping audiences quickly understand characters and their roles in a narrative.
2. Some tropes become so familiar that they can be subverted or twisted for comedic or dramatic effect, creating fresh takes on traditional storylines.
3. The use of tropes can vary significantly across genres, with certain types being more prevalent in specific categories like horror or romance.
4. While tropes can enhance storytelling by providing context, they can also lead to predictable narratives if not used thoughtfully.
5. Understanding tropes allows filmmakers and writers to effectively communicate themes and emotions while also engaging with audience expectations.

Review Questions

• How do tropes function within different genres to establish conventions and shape audience expectations?
  • Tropes play a crucial role in defining genres by establishing recognizable patterns and themes that audiences expect. For example, in horror films, tropes like the 'final girl' or 'jump scares' create familiar experiences that evoke specific emotional responses. When filmmakers use these tropes effectively, they can engage the audience's familiarity with the genre while also providing opportunities for innovation through subversion or twists on those established norms.
• Discuss how filmmakers can subvert established tropes to create unexpected narratives and fresh storytelling experiences.
  • Filmmakers can subvert established tropes by taking familiar ideas and flipping them on their heads. For instance, instead of presenting the 'heroic sacrifice' trope in a predictable manner, a film could show the consequences of that choice in a way that highlights its moral complexity. By doing this, filmmakers challenge audience expectations and offer new perspectives on traditional storytelling devices, which can lead to more engaging and thought-provoking narratives.
• Evaluate the impact of relying on tropes in filmmaking and how this reliance influences audience perceptions of originality in stories.
  • Relying heavily on tropes can have mixed effects on filmmaking. On one hand, it provides a framework for storytelling that helps communicate ideas quickly and effectively. On the other hand, excessive reliance on clichés can make narratives feel stale or unoriginal, leading audiences to perceive them as formulaic. The challenge for creators is to strike a balance between using familiar tropes for accessibility while innovating enough to maintain a sense of originality and freshness in their work.

Related terms

Cliché: An overused expression or idea that has lost its original impact due to its excessive repetition in storytelling.

Archetype: A universally recognizable character type or theme that recurs across different stories and cultures, serving as a model for specific roles.

Genre: A category of artistic composition characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter, often defined by the tropes it employs.