Research: Genre Conventions

All genres have codes and conventions or 'genre signifiers'. Genre tropes are symbols that frequently appear in many films of the same genre. For instance, in Romance films, there is almost always a love interest and dilemma faced by a couple, in Horror films an old or abandoned house is generally included and in Action films there is normally a heroic person trying to get justice by undermining an enemy. These are just a few of the genre signifiers and symbols that help audience decide what they want to view.

Crime films such as Good Fellas are commonly identified by the gambling tables, guns and money props whilst Fantasy films can be distinguished by the supernatural or unearthly creatures and characters. On the other hand, children's films are more of a broad genre and can include a range of tropes. However, they are more commonly identified by the use of animation, childlike themes and exaggerated narratives.