Conventions of Fantasy Films

The last genre we are considering is Fantasy. Fantasy films are films with fantastic themes, usually involving magic, supernatural events, make-believe creatures, or exotic fantasy worlds. The genre is considered to be distinct from science fiction film and horror film, although the genres do overlap. Fantasy films often have an element of magic, myth, wonder, escapism, and the extraordinary.

Examples of fantasy films: 

• Lord of the Rings

• Harry Potter 

• Chronicles of Narnia

• Tron

• Pan's Labyrinth 

• Star Wars

Codes and Conventions 

• High production values

• Younger target audience although significant older appeal

• Wide/saturated distribution (normally by an American Studio e.g. Warners or Disney). Mainstreamers and Aspirers

• Dedicated, sometimes obsessive fan base

• Convergence and Synergy – computer games, merchandising, forums and blogs, fan sites…

• Emotive, often ‘romanticised’ narratives

• Hyper real, idealised representations

• Saturated primary colours

• High key lighting

• Significant CGI and FX e.g. green screen technology

• Aspirational, escapist characters, often undertaking a quest

• Occasional political narrative themes only understood by an older target audience with significant cultural capital (e.g. about minority groups)

• Reputation for being ideologically traditional e.g. Disney ‘teaching’ gender roles to young target audiences

• Positive narrative outcomes (happy endings)

• Simplistic, linear narrative (e.g. a Hobbit travels across middle earth encountering danger)

• Iconography includes magic, mystical creatures e.g. Elves and Fairies

Harry Potter: Magic is the main feature in this fantasy along with trolls, giant spiders, giants, elves, goblins, dragons and mermaids. They are all mythical creatures.
Settings: A castle, Forests, lake. All typical settings for a fantasy film.

Star Wars: Space is the main feature in this fantasy. It is set in the distant future. It includes futuristic technology which included lightsabers, droids, cyborgs, laser blasters, spaceships, unrealistic planets, the force, clones and vehicles.
Settings: Space, Spaceships, Planes.

Lord of the Rings: This is a epic high fantasy with Dwarves, Elves, Wizards, Dragons, Mythical creatures and monsters.
Settings: Castles, Forests, mysterious locations and buildings.

Forbidden Forest: This is a typical fantasy setting because it is dark and creepy. Normally in fantasy films the characters will meet some mysterious creatures who live there. There is a lot of low key lighting because it is overgrown with trees, plants and other wildlife growing there. This is a very popular setting which is used a lot in fantasy films.

Castle: Castles are also another popular setting because the main characters live there or it will be their goal to get there throughout the film. They are normally surrounded by a lake, trees and plants. There will be lots of bright lighting because it is in an open area and there will be a happy atmosphere. Castles are the best setting because they have the fantasy theme with kings and queens living inside.

Mysterious locations/ places: This setting is usually the type of setting when no one really know what it is but there is a lot going on. This one looks like a house with contraptions flying around. There is low key lighting and high key lighting in this setting, it has quite a weary effect with dimmed colours in the sky. Normally mysterious characters will live there and we wouldn't know much about them but we find out more as the story goes on.

Post done by Amy Braud