This document outlines some common codes and conventions of three film genres: action, drama, and horror. For action films, conventions include large budgets to afford special effects, a protagonist/antagonist dynamic, an objective or mission, elaborate costumes, and a big climactic scene. Drama films aim to make audiences empathize with relatable protagonists through everyday clothing and relatable storylines, which can be based on true stories and feature character development. Horror film conventions are low-key lighting, gory aspects, fast editing, important sound design, isolated settings with murder histories, screaming, stereotypical characters, villains as men, blood, creepy dolls/children, and haunted spirits/ghosts
2. ACTION
• Large budget- So they are able to afford things such as explosions and possibly CGI/
Special Effects
• Protagonist/Antagonist / Hero and Villain
• Set objective or mission
• Elaborate costumes- That become cult classics, e.g. the yellow jumpsuit from Kill Bill
• Big climactic scene- Possibly a car race
3. DRAMA
• Makes the audience empathise with the protagonist
• 'Everyday clothes' for costume
• Relatable elements to the storyline
• Can be based on a true story
• Character development
4. HORROR
• Low-key lighting
• Some aspects can be very gory
• Fast paced editing
• Sound is a very important aspect in creating tension
• Setting is usually very isolated- along with previous history of things such as murders
taking place in the same setting
• Screaming
• Stereotypical white blonde girl as a character
• The villain/antagonist is usually a man
• Blood
• Creepy dolls or children
• Haunted spirits/ghosts/poltergeists
