Genre Conventions

Genre Conventions

Genre conventions are primarily considered as the typical character(s), plot (story line), setting, theme and effect.
For my groups coursework we have decided to choose the Action genre; this is due to the fact that the Action genre has many types embedded within it can present itself as simple and easy to produce.

Characters: Stereotypically the characters that are expected to be featured in this genre are heroic strong males that would typically have to save the day. Or sometimes a vulnerable female character and this would relate to the 'final girl theory'.

Plot: This is very common throughout the genre to have the protagonist character go off on a dangerous quest to recover an object or character (again final girl theory).

Setting: The Action genre is very diverse as it obtains many different sub-genres within it and due to this the settings may be very diverse. For example a martial art sub-genre would typically be set in Asia and a action/ thriller would be set in an urban city.

Iconic: This is typically what sets the character or characters apart from any other character for example, Superman obtains the iconic 'S' logo on the middle of his shirt and always finds a phone box to change into. This doesn't have to be a piece of clothing but could also be something as simple as a scar.

Theme: The theme of the film is very similar to that of its plot/ storyline. For example, a superhero film is fantasy and fiction, and could also be on the contrary a film based on inspired true events.

Effect/ Ideology: This is what the film is about within the lines and weather or not the film is intended to subliminally spread messages e.g. peace.