genre-analysis-film

# Genre Analysis (Film) Skill ## Purpose Understand and apply genre conventions to meet audience expectations while finding fresh approaches. Genres are contracts with viewers—knowing the rules lets you fulfill or subvert them effectively. ## Major Genres ### Action **Core Elements:** - Physical conflict as resolution - Clear hero vs. villain - Stakes are life/death - Spectacle and set pieces **Conventions:** - Opening action hook - Training/preparation sequence - Escalating confrontations - Climactic battle - Hero's moment of doubt **Subgenres:** Martial arts, war, spy, disaster, superhero ### Comedy **Core Elements:** - Humor as primary emotion - Characters in absurd situations - Social commentary through laughter - Happy or ironic ending **Conventions:** - Setup and payoff - Rule of threes - Fish out of water - Escalating complications - Comedic timing **Subgenres:** Romantic comedy, dark comedy, satire, parody, slapstick ### Drama **Core Elements:** - Character-driven conflict - Emotional truth - Realistic stakes - Internal transformation **Conventions:** - Slow burn development - Subtext-heavy dialogue - Moral complexity - Ambiguous endings acceptable **Subgenres:** Family drama, legal, medical, political, historical ### Horror **Core Elements:** - Fear as primary emotion - Threat to survival - Darkness (literal/metaphorical) - Violation of safety **Conventions:** - Opening kill/scare - Investigation/discovery - Rules of the threat - False scares - Climacti...