13: Writing for Genre- Expectation, Surprise, and Audience
- Page ID
- 395327
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- 13.1: WRITING FOR GENRE- EXPECTATION, SURPRISE, AND AUDIENCE
- This page explores genre as a foundational element of storytelling that fosters emotional engagement rather than limiting creativity. It highlights how genre sets audience expectations, aiding in the expression of themes like tension and humor.
- 13.2: WHAT IS GENRE?
- This page discusses the categorization of genres based on tone, emotional impact, and structure, emphasizing their distinct patterns despite adaptability. It outlines key genres and provides insights for effective writing within each, highlighting the importance of understanding their unique characteristics and rhythms.
- 13.3: MAJOR GENRES AND HOW THEY WORK
- This page provides an overview of film genres, highlighting the unique elements that define each. Comedy emphasizes contrasts and emotional warmth; drama revolves around character transformation; horror builds fear through tension; thrillers create suspense; and mysteries engage with structured reveals.
- 13.4: WHY GENRE MATTERS FOR MARKETING
- This page emphasizes the significance of genre in filmmaking, detailing its impact on audience targeting, budgeting, marketing, and viewer expectations. It warns against common genre clichés that can weaken narratives and provides strategies for enhancing character and plot depth across genres such as horror, thriller, and romantic comedy. The page includes examples of films that successfully subvert these predictable tropes, showcasing effective storytelling approaches.
- 13.5: Hybrid and Genre-Bending Films
- This page discusses hybrid films that blend various genres to create unique cinematic experiences, citing examples like "Get Out" and "Parasite." It highlights how these films can challenge conventional norms while retaining essential elements of their genres. The text encourages filmmakers to explore unexpected genre combinations, opening up new creative possibilities.
- 13.6: TRYING YOUR STORY IN DIFFERENT GENRES
- This page discusses the value of rewriting a logline in various genres as a creative exercise that uncovers new possibilities and enhances storytelling clarity. It emphasizes that this approach helps identify the strongest version of a story and improves marketing strategies by clarifying the target audience. By exploring genres like horror, comedy, sci-fi, and thriller, writers can deepen their understanding of the narrative and its potential, facilitating effective pitching to audiences.
- 13.7: WRITING PRACTICE
- This page emphasizes the significance of developing and refining a logline for different genres to uncover emotional themes. Writers are encouraged to create three variations of a logline—obvious, stretch, and impossible—to identify the most compelling and marketable option. It also prompts writers to assess alignment with emotional intent and marketing prospects, and offers a challenge to visually depict the tone for each version.