Are genre conventions necessary for a successful film? They certainly help audiences know what to expect, but there’s a fine line between meeting expectations and creating something truly innovative. Think of the classic western scene: swinging saloon doors, grizzled men drinking whiskey, and a lone stranger seeking redemption. Or, picture galaxies, alien races, and laser gun battles in a sci-fi epic. Both descriptions represent fundamental genre conventions that have been in rotation for decades. But, what happens when we break away from these conventions?
Conventions offer reassurance, but they can also become predictable and boring. Sometimes, we must get rid of them. Flipping genre conventions can lead to a better film. Genres ultimately become victims of their own conventions, so it’s important to maintain convention while avoiding cliché.
Filmmakers can use conventions to their advantage by creating false images to manipulate the audience. By using conventions that audiences rely on, filmmakers can manipulate expectations and create emotional moments. Ultimately, the challenge is to maintain convention while avoiding cliché. It’s a simple idea, but a challenge that many filmmakers fail to overcome.
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