✍️Screenwriting I Unit 9 – Screenplay Genre Conventions

What's the Big Deal with Genre?

• Genre provides a framework for storytelling, helping writers structure their narratives and meet audience expectations
• Genres come with pre-established conventions (character archetypes, plot points, themes) that guide the writing process
• Understanding genre helps screenwriters market their scripts to the right producers, studios, and audiences
• Genre influences all aspects of a screenplay, from the premise and characters to the tone and visual style
• Working within a genre allows writers to subvert tropes and create fresh, original stories that still feel familiar
• Genres evolve over time, reflecting changes in society, culture, and audience tastes (rise of superhero movies, neo-noir, etc.)
• Mastering genre conventions is essential for aspiring screenwriters to break into the industry and sell their scripts

Key Elements of Screenplay Genres

• Premise: The central concept or idea that drives the story, often tied to genre expectations (romance, mystery, etc.)
• Characters: Archetypal roles that fit within the genre, such as the hardboiled detective in a noir or the wise mentor in a fantasy
  • Protagonists often embody genre-specific traits and face challenges related to the genre's themes
  • Supporting characters serve functions within the genre, such as the sidekick, love interest, or villain
• Plot: The sequence of events and turning points that propel the story forward, following genre-specific patterns
  • Each genre has its own set of expected plot points, such as the meet-cute in a romantic comedy or the final battle in an action movie
• Setting: The time, place, and atmosphere that establish the genre and influence the characters and story
  • Genres often have iconic settings, such as the dystopian future in sci-fi or the small town in a horror movie
• Theme: The underlying message or moral of the story, often tied to the genre's central concerns and conflicts
• Tone: The overall mood and style of the screenplay, which should align with the genre's conventions
  • Comedy genres typically have a light, humorous tone, while dramas are more serious and emotional
• Visual and audio elements: The cinematic techniques used to create the genre's signature look and feel, such as lighting, color palette, and sound design

Popular Genre Types and Their Tropes

• Action: High-stakes conflicts, physical challenges, and thrilling set pieces (car chases, explosions, fight scenes)
• Comedy: Humorous situations, witty dialogue, and often exaggerated characters (slapstick, parody, romantic comedy)
• Drama: Serious, emotionally-driven stories that explore complex characters and relationships (family dramas, biopics, historical dramas)
• Horror: Suspenseful, fear-inducing stories featuring supernatural or psychological threats (slasher films, ghost stories, monster movies)
  • Common tropes include the "final girl," jump scares, and the monster reveal
• Science Fiction: Speculative stories that imagine future or alternate worlds, often exploring the impact of technology on society (space operas, dystopias, time travel)
• Fantasy: Imaginative tales set in magical or mythical worlds, often featuring heroic quests and supernatural elements (epic fantasy, urban fantasy, fairy tales)
• Mystery: Suspenseful stories centered around solving a crime or uncovering a secret (detective stories, whodunits, conspiracy thrillers)
• Romance: Love stories that focus on the development of a romantic relationship, often with obstacles to overcome (romantic comedies, historical romance, star-crossed lovers)

Breaking Down a Genre Script

• Read the script multiple times, focusing on different elements each time (characters, plot, theme, etc.)
• Identify the genre and subgenre of the script, noting any genre-blending or subversion of tropes
• Analyze the premise and how it sets up the genre expectations for the story
  • Does the premise introduce the central conflict and hint at the genre's themes?
• Examine the characters and their roles within the genre
  • How do the protagonist and supporting characters embody or subvert genre archetypes?
  • What genre-specific challenges or growth do the characters experience?
• Break down the plot structure and identify the genre-specific turning points and set pieces
  • How does the script hit the expected beats of the genre while still feeling fresh and original?
• Consider the setting and how it establishes the genre's tone and atmosphere
• Identify the central themes of the script and how they relate to the genre's conventions
  • Does the script explore the genre's typical themes in a new or meaningful way?
• Analyze the visual and audio elements and how they contribute to the genre's style and tone

Mixing and Subverting Genres

• Genre-blending: Combining elements from multiple genres to create a unique story that defies easy categorization
  • Examples include horror-comedies (Shaun of the Dead), sci-fi westerns (Firefly), and action-romance (Mr. & Mrs. Smith)
• Subverting tropes: Taking familiar genre conventions and twisting them in unexpected ways to surprise and engage the audience
  • Examples include deconstructing the hero's journey in a fantasy (Game of Thrones) or playing with the "final girl" trope in a horror movie (Scream)
• Updating genres for modern audiences: Adapting classic genre stories to reflect contemporary issues, values, and storytelling techniques
  • Examples include reimagining a fairy tale in a modern setting (Enchanted) or exploring social commentary in a sci-fi world (Black Mirror)
• Mixing tones: Combining different tonal elements within a genre to create a more complex and layered story
  • Examples include blending humor and drama in a coming-of-age story (Juno) or incorporating moments of levity in a serious crime thriller (Fargo)
• Challenging genre expectations: Deliberately defying or subverting the audience's assumptions about a genre to create a fresh and unpredictable story
  • Examples include a romance that doesn't end happily (500 Days of Summer) or a mystery that leaves the central question unresolved (Inception)

Writing Exercises: Genre Practice

• Choose a genre and write a short scene (2-3 pages) that embodies its key conventions
  • Focus on establishing the genre through the premise, characters, setting, and tone
• Take a classic genre story and reimagine it in a different genre or setting
  • Example: Rewrite a fairy tale as a sci-fi adventure or a horror story as a romantic comedy
• Write a scene that blends two seemingly incompatible genres, such as a western and a musical
  • Challenge yourself to find a way to make the genre combination work harmoniously
• Pick a genre and subvert one of its central tropes in a short scene
  • Example: Write a horror scene where the "final girl" turns out to be the villain
• Analyze a genre-blending movie or TV show and break down how it combines elements from different genres
  • Write a short essay or create a visual diagram to illustrate your findings
• Write a series of loglines or short pitches for genre-bending stories
  • Example: "A romantic comedy set in a post-apocalyptic world" or "a musical about a detective solving a murder"

Common Pitfalls in Genre Writing

• Relying too heavily on clichés and tropes without adding a fresh perspective or subversion
• Failing to fully understand and embrace the conventions of the chosen genre
  • Genres have certain expectations that need to be met, even if the writer puts a unique spin on them
• Mixing genres in a way that feels disjointed or inconsistent, rather than seamlessly blending them
• Neglecting character development in favor of genre spectacle or plot twists
  • Strong characters are essential to any good story, regardless of genre
• Overcomplicating the story with too many genre elements or subplots
  • It's important to find a balance and focus on the core story and themes
• Failing to establish the genre early on, leaving the audience confused or disengaged
• Relying on genre alone to carry the story, rather than developing a compelling narrative and characters
  • Genre should enhance the story, not replace good storytelling fundamentals

How to Use Genre in Your Screenplay

• Start by identifying the primary genre of your story and understanding its conventions
  • Research classic examples of the genre and analyze how they use tropes, structure, and themes
• Decide if you want to stick closely to the genre conventions, blend genres, or subvert tropes
  • Consider how your choice will affect the story, characters, and audience expectations
• Establish the genre early on through the premise, setting, and tone
  • Use the opening scenes to signal to the audience what kind of story they can expect
• Develop characters that fit within the genre while still being unique and compelling
  • Use genre archetypes as a starting point, but give your characters depth and complexity
• Structure your plot around the genre's key turning points and set pieces
  • Hit the expected beats of the genre while still surprising the audience with fresh twists
• Infuse your story with the genre's central themes and conflicts
  • Use the genre as a lens to explore deeper ideas and emotions
• Employ visual and audio elements that enhance the genre's style and atmosphere
  • Use cinematic techniques to create the signature look and feel of the genre
• If blending or subverting genres, do so with intention and consistency
  • Make sure the genre elements work together to serve the story and themes
• Revise and refine your script with the genre in mind
  • Make sure every element of the screenplay aligns with the genre and enhances the overall narrative