26 Different Kinds of Films

Film Genres Genre Conventions are specific settings, roles, events, and values that define individual genres and their sub-genres. Love Story Buddy Salvation Road Picture Horror Film Uncanny – source of horror is astound but subject to “rational” explanation – such as beings from outer space, science-made monsters, or a maniac. Supernational – in which the source of horror is an “irrational” phenomenon from the spirit realm. Super-Uncanny – in which the audience is kept guessing between the other two possibilities Modern Epic – individual versus the state – Spartacus, Erin Brockovich Western War Genre Pro-war – covertly glorifying war Anti-war Maturation Plot – Coming of age Story Redemption Plot – film arcs on a moral change within the protagonist from bad to good Punitive Plot – good guy turns bad and is punished Testing Plot – stories of will power versus temptation to surrender – Forest Gump Education Plot – Deep change within the protagonist’s view of life, people, or self from the negative (naïve, distrustful, fatalistic, self0hating) to the positive (wise, trusting, optimistic, self-possessed) Disillusionment Plot – a deep change of worldview from the positive to the negative – Great Gatsby, Macbeth Comedy Parody Satire Sitcom Romantic Screwball Farce Black Comedy Bro Comedy Crime Murder Mystery (master detective POV) Caper (master criminal’s POV) Detective (cop’s POV) Gangster (crook’s POV) Thriller or Revenge Tale (victim’s POV) Courtroom (lawyer’s POV) Newspaper (reporter’s POV) Espionage (spy’s POV) Prison Drama (inmate’s POV) Film Noir (POV of a protagonist who may be part criminal, part detective, part victim of a femme fatale) Social Drama – problems in society 0 poverty, the education system, then constructs a story demonstrating a cure. Domestic Drama (family problems) Woman’s film (dilemmas such as career versus family, lover versus children) Political Drama (corruption in politics) Eco-Drama (battles to save the environment) Medical Drama Psycho-Drama Action/Adventure High Adventure Disaster/Survival Film Historical Drama Biography – must have point of view Gandhi becomes the hero of a Modern Epic, Nixon suffers from Punitive Plot Docu-Drama Mockumentary Musical Science Fiction – often marry the man0against0state Modern Epic with Action/Adventure: Star Wars Sports Genre - a natural home for Maturation Plot, Redemption Plot, Education Plot, Punitive Plot, Testing Plot, Disillusionment Plot, Beddy Salvation, Social Drama. Fantasy Animation Art Film