Genre Conventions

What are genre conventions?

A genre convention is a typically expected component of the plot, character, setting, theme or effect in a film. For example, it is conventional for superheroes to wear costumes.

Conventions are usually unrealistic however is accepted by the audience as a logical factor to the film. Another example of a genre convention is that comedy in a film is exaggerated.

Genre conventions are repetitive and easily recognised by an audience. A typical convention of a horror could be that a girl is alone in a house and the phone rings. The audience can then expect that she will be victimised.

Genre conventions are used by a producer to form a structure and attract an audience. Potential audience can use genre conventions to see if they will enjoy the film based on past conventions they have experienced in other films of the same genre.

Posted by Sophie Rippin.