- Genre: Fantasy
- Genre conventions - content
In the film genre, fantasy, the typical target for an audience appeals to both children and adults, depending on the film. Fantasy films take the audience to fairy-tale places where events are unlikely to occur in real life. Films could include a mythological or legendary sense. This would typically transcend the bounds of human possibility and physical laws. Fantasy would be in the context of imagination, dreams, or hallucinations of a character or within a storyteller’s vision. It is typical for a fantasy film to feature a hero that would often undergo some sort of mystical experience, and seek assistance from a powerful, superhuman force. The predominant characters in fantasy films are typically princes or princesses. Some other fantasy films would feature supernatural characters such as angels, fairies, gnomes or dwarves. At times, other characters who would represent the divine or evil spirits would be incorporated into the films, and often overlap with supernatural films. These types of fantasy films are often inspired or taken from myth or legend; it would fill the audience with a sense of awe and touch off deep primal emotions.
- Genre conventions - production techniques
Fantasy films typically focus on the unreal factors to feature in the movies. For example, The Lord of the Rings filmmakers use forced perspective that makes use of the fact that objects in the distance appear smaller than those in the foreground. This creates a sense that one character may be bigger or smaller than a certain object or other character. Unique and original sound effects are created for fantasy movies to draw in audiences and make them believe the created worlds are real. Color is also used as a statement in fantasy films to draw attention to certain scenes and create tone for the film.
- Institutional conventions - how is genre marketed?
Fantasy films are marketed through trailers, just like any other film, but incorporated snip-its of certain scenes to reveal the genre of fantasy. After fantasy films are released products from the movies are released, such as costumes, dolls/action figures, or other products.
- Film sample #1: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
This movie embodies the genre of fantasy because the movie features supernatural characters such as dwarves and hobbits.
- Film sample #2: The Chronicles of Narnia
This film embodies Fantasy because the film incorporates mystical creatures and includes context of imagination, fairytale settings, magic, and wonder.
- Other film examples:
- Edward Scissorhands (1990) - Drama/Fantasy
- Labyrinth (1986) - Fantasy/Adventure
- Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971) - Fantasy/Comedy
- The Wizard of Oz (1939) - Fantasy/Adventure
- Harry Potter Series (2001-2011) - Fantasy/Fiction
- Maleficent (2014) - Fantasy/Action
- The Avengers (2012) - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
