Genre and Expectations

by Laura Cross @ About a Screenplay

Genre (noun); a loose set of criteria for a category of composition.

All successful scripts evoke an emotional response from the reader. Your screenplay’s genre helps inform a potential reader what to expect emotionally and structurally. Genre, then, creates a set of expectations and it’s your job as the writer to know what those expectations are and deliver them in a familiar but unique way. Successful genre writing is not about clichés and formulaic choices – it is about understanding what makes a particular genre satisfying to the viewer.

If you’re writing a thriller, your script will have specific thriller elements: a fast pace, plenty of action, a resourceful hero, a villain-driven plot, suspense, red herrings, twists and cliffhangers. The reader expects to experience visceral thrills, tension, shock, fear, curiosity and surprise.

The most effective way to understand genre and expectations is to study genre in action. Select 10 films/scripts in the same genre as your current screenplay to view or read. Note the patterns between the films: specific elements, structure, and your emotional responses. Now compare the list with the elements in your own screenplay. Are you hitting all the expectations of your genre?

If your story mixes genres: comedy-drama (Juno), action/adventure-comedy (Beverly Hills Cop), science fiction-horror (Alien) – try to stay with the tone of the dominant genre to ensure your script is focused.

Here is a (by-no-means exhaustive) list of genres and subgenres:

Comedy

High Concept, Romantic (Rom-Com), Screwball, Farce, Black Comedy, Parody, Satire, Teen, Mockumentary.
When Harry Met Sally, The 40 Year Old Virgin, This is Spinal Tap, Thank You For Smoking, Blazing Saddles

Animation

Ratatouille, The Lion King, Toy Story

Musical

Chicago, Fame, Evita

Thriller

Crime, Psychological, Supernatural, Action, Horror, Sci-Fi, Political, Spy, “Erotic”
Body Heat, JFK, Three Days of the Condor

Crime

Detective, Gangster, Film Noir, Serial Killer, Heist, Murder Mystery, Who-Done-It, Caper, Revenge, Courtroom, Newspaper, Prison.
Chinatown, L.A. Confidential, Road to Perdition, Sin City

Horror

Supernatural, Uncanny, Slasher, Psychological, Ghost, Monster, Vampire, Zombie.
Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Saw, I Am Legend, The Birds, Jaws, Rosemary’s Baby

Action / Adventure

Swashbuckler, Disaster, Survival, Chase, High Adventure, Epic.
Terminator, Raiders of the Lost Arc, Armageddon, Die Hard, Braveheart

Science Fiction (sci-fi)

Star Trek, Star Wars, Matrix

Fantasty

Lord of the Rings, Narnia

Drama

Million Dollar Baby, Crash, Revolutionary Road

Western

Unforgiven, Open Range, 3:10 to Yuma

Love story

Romantic Love, Buddy Love.
Love Story, The English Patient, Rain Man

Coming of age

Stand By Me, Rambow, Girl Interrupted

War / Ant-war

Platoon, Full Metal Jacket, Apocalypse Now, Saving Private Ryan

Bio-Pic

Ray, What’s Love Got To Do With It, Ali, Raging Bull

Docu-Drama

Ed Wood, Hollywoodland, Quiz Show, Dead Man Walking