Genre Mashup: 10 Vital Steps to Nailing a Mix of Genres in Your Screenplay

Genre mashups, also known as cross-genres or hybrid genres, are commonly found in many art forms – film, music or literature. It’s when an artist combines two or more genres in which elements from each are blended into a cohesive piece.

Star Wars, Parasite, The Blues Brothers, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, 13 Going on 30. What do these very different movies have in common? They’re all genre mashups. From romantic comedies to sci-fi adventure, the technique of combining genres has been around for some time. And it’s how you utilise this method that can make all the difference to your screenplay.

In screenwriting, using multiple genres to tell your story is one of the best ways to bring originality to your work. It’s no secret that everything’s been done before, but approaching your story from the many different angles of different genres can present familiar ideas in a new light.

1. Understanding Genre

Genre is used to characterize a film based on similar and shared conventions. This includes story, character, setting, audio-visual elements, themes, emotional impact, motifs and morals.

Before you begin to write your screenplay, identifying what genre best suits your idea is key. Let’s just quickly assess the key components of each core genre.

Drama

Drama is associated with a serious and realistic tone. The conflict can be internal or external. Moreover, dramas tend to focus on emotional character development and are inspired by real-life human struggles. Dramatic themes pull from topical issues that are experienced in everyday life.

Examples: Moonlight, Roma, Whiplash.

Comedy

Comedy takes a humorous approach to dramatic themes and storylines. The tone is comical and amusing and exaggerated elements are often used to add to the humor. The main goal is to make the audience laugh. There are different types of comedy, including satire, deadpan, slapstick, situational and dark.

Examples: Step Brothers, Superbad, Hot Rod.

Action

Action is high energy and physical. You have a clear hero (protagonist) and villain (antagonist). The heroes are put in high stakes, life or death situations with the odds stacked against them. There’s guaranteed to be violence and at least one climactic battle. Action sequences are the bread and butter of this genre. They often require professional stunts, pyrotechnics, special effects or CGI.

Examples: Kill Bill, Die Hard, Mad Max.

Horror

Horror is meant to incite fear and terror. The adrenaline keeps the audience hooked even if the tropes and the storylines are often predictable. Again, the situations are life and death with the protagonists up against an evil force of some kind. The wide variety of sub-genres (gothic horror/slasher horror/teen horror) that fall under this category provide a scare for everyone.

Examples: Halloween, Psycho, Us.

Western

The Western is a time-period piece that is set in the late 19th century in the American West. The primary conflict is often rooted in good vs. bad, with elements of action as shoot-offs are common. The visual aspect alone is enough to identify a western. Settings include deserts, up and coming civilizations, stables, saloons and ranch houses.

Moreover, Westerns will often include a protagonist that is somewhat of an outcast, fighting independently against corruption.

Examples: The Searchers, The Magnificent Seven, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.

Science Fiction

Science Fiction uses a fantastical twist of science to explain the thoughtful world-building that makes up the genre. Technology is a key factor and has a major effect on the plot. Therefore, writing a science fiction screenplay requires attention to detail and thorough research.

Examples: Interstellar, Contact, The Fifth Element.

Other core genres include:

• Thriller shares similarities with drama, horror and action. The tone is tense and the themes are dark. It keeps audiences on the edge of their seat, anticipating with suspense. Examples: Still of the Night, The Sixth Sense, Nightcrawler.
• Romance is the telling of a love story. They focus on the relationships of the main character with the conflict often centered around a “will they, won’t they” situation. These stories are emotionally driven and usually end in a happily ever after. Examples: The Notebook, Love Actually, Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
• Musical relies on the aspect of music to drive the story forward. Many musicals are adapted from the stage. However, there are also ones written originally for the screen. Depending on the story, music styles may vary. Examples: Annie, Footloose, Les Miserables.
• Adventure is when the protagonist is sent on a journey where conflict ensues. They must overcome obstacles that take them out of their comfort zone. Examples: The Goonies, Jumanji, Life of Pi.
• Fantasy tells a story of magic or make-believe. Different from the reasonable science of sci-fi, this genre explores the imagination with elements of myth and wonder. Examples: The NeverEnding Story, Alice in Wonderland, Pan’s Labyrinth.

Now that you’re familiar with your core genres, let’s explore sub-genres.