Tropes Explained — Types of Tropes & the Art of Subverting Them

Film Tropes Explained — storytelling tropes often get a bad rap, but they can be quite useful. This video explores the most common movie tropes, why they work, and how to be creative with them.

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Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction to Film Tropes
01:01 - Spoilers
01:17 - Trope Definition & History
02:07 - Chapter 1: Character Tropes
08:36 - Chapter 2: Plot Tropes
14:55 - Chapter 3: Tropes in Dialogue
20:12 - Chapter 4: Cinematic Imagery
24:18 - Takeaways

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FILM TROPES EXPLAINED

One of the most pervasive complaints about movies is that they all seem the same. The repetitions we point to are called tropes, which have since been considered negative. But there is a reason why film tropes exist and why they work. In this video, we want to dispel the notion that film tropes are always bad and never good. We will also provide some creative solutions to achieve the best of both worlds — familiarity, and freshness.

WHAT ARE TROPES

From the original literary definition, a trope is the use of figurative language. But the more common understanding these days is that tropes are anything that recurs in a story, often to the point of overuse. Film tropes can be found in character types, plot points, dialogue, and imagery.

CHARACTER FILM TROPES

Characters can easily become tropes. The Mad Scientist, the Bully, the Damsel in Distress — by name alone, these are recognizable character film tropes. When writers include these character tropes in their work, there is shorthand with the audience. But without tweaking those expectations in some way, the audience will notice.

PLOT FILM TROPES

Like characters, we can point to a number of recurring plot points, which are often genre-specific. Love triangles, dreams, the heroic sacrifice are just a few examples of plot tropes we’ve seen a thousand times. But, again, instead of rejecting these movie tropes outright, writers can embrace them as opportunities to challenge our expectations to create something new.

DIALOGUE FILM TROPES

Dialogue, too, is a common source of film tropes. How often have you heard lines like, “I’ve got a bad feeling about this” or “Don’t you die on me”? Because these lines are so overused, they can be repurposed for comedy instead of drama.

IMAGERY FILM TROPES

Locations, like abandoned warehouses or idyllic suburbs, can be tropes. Walking away from an explosion is a recent trope, as is the overhead crane shot as someone dies. The imagery itself is familiar, which can be an economical way to communicate an idea, but audiences still require something more.

Film tropes are ever-present but also always evolving. The idea is to embrace what makes these tropes work and find a way to make them work again with slightly new or different elements.


#FilmTheory #VideoEssay #Filmmaking

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♬ SONGS USED:

“Oops!...I Did It Again” by Britney Spears
“The Path” by Gustavo Santaolalla
“A Neverending Beam Of Light” by Makeup and Vanity Set
“Binary Sunset” by John Williams
“Aegis” by Makeup and Vanity Set
“Simba” by Les Baxter
“Dojo Tradition” by In This World
“Unloved” by Sigh
“Nicaragua” by Jerry Goldsmith
“I Heard Ramona Sing” by Frank Black
“What Is Fight Club” by The Dust Brothers
“Previous on Jump Street" by Mark Mothersbaugh
“Escape From New York Them” by John Carpenter
“The Gambler” by Kenny Rogers
“Los Paramos” by Makeup and Vanity Set
“Baba ORiley” by The Who
“Off You” by The Breeders
“Tannhäuser Gate” by Makeup and Vanity Set
“Blue Velvet” by Lana Del Rey
“Mary Had A Little Lamb” by Stevie Ray Vaughan
“Arachnoventure” by Michael Giacchino
“The Wanderer” by Makeup and Vanity Set
“Hello Vietnam” by Johnny Wright
“Go” by Makeup and Vanity Set
“Hold On” by Makeup and Vanity Set

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