2. What is Fantasy?
• Fantasy is a genre of fiction it commonly uses magic and other supernatural
phenomena as a primary element of plot, setting, or theme.
• Many films within the genre take place in imaginary worlds, creating pure escapism
from reality.
• Fantasy is generally distinguished from the genre of sci-fi by the expectation that it
remains clear of scientific themes.
• Though there is a great deal of overlap between the two, both of which are sub-genres
of speculative fiction.
• In fantasy films, the protagonist(s) often undergo some kind of mystical/heroic
experience and must require assistance from superhuman forces.
3. Elements of Fantasy
• Fantasy films usually possess Fantastic elements in a self-coherent
setting (where inspiration from mythology and folklore remains the
theme).
• This includes Magic, other worlds, creatures, objects and species.
• These elements, though fictional, remain the norm within fantasy film.
• This allows anything to become possible in the fantasy genre.
4. CHARACTERS IN THE FANTASY WORLD
• main characters within the fantasy genre are usually kings/princes or
queens/princesses, although some fantasies include supernatural beings
(such as angels, fairies and gods).
• Gnomes, dwarves and elves are also popular within the genre, alongside evil
spirits, magicians and sorcerers.
• in addition to the heroes, villains within the fantasy genre are highly
important, as their roles often play a key role in the story and plot
development.
5. Fantasy Plots
• Fantasy film is a very broad genre, resulting in a wide variety of plots.
• Plots differ depending on the sub-genre.
• In a sense, fantasy remains the theme of the film, and the sub-genre
creates and drives the plot.
6. Fantasy Sub-genres
• Bangsian Fantasy
Bangsian Fantasy is a sub-genre of film that includes a plot that
revolves around the afterlife. These films explore the concepts of
Heaven and Hell, through different religious sects.
Often, Bangsian Fantasy will incorporate Greek themes. Many films in
this sub-genre base characters off of living beings.
Examples: The Lovely Bones, What Dreams May Come, A Matter of Life
and Death.
7. Fantasy Sub-genres
• High Fantasy
High Fantasy is a sub-genre that emphasises a developed fantasy world.
These films tend to be more complex than regular fantasy films. The
complexity shows itself through highly woven story lines and intense
character development.
High Fantasy films can be based on novels and therefore have a cult
following of fans. Many of these films will have sequels and prequels.
Examples: The Chronicles of Narnia, The NeverEnding Story, Eragon.
8. Fantasy Sub-genres
• Sword and Sorcery
Unlike High Fantasy film, Sword and Sorcery films tend to be more plot-
driven. These films rely on heavy action and battle scenes.
Common themes in Sword and Sorcery films include a rescue mission,
saving a princess, and battling a fantastical monster.
Examples: Conan the Barbarian, The Sword in the Stone, Legend.
9. Fantasy Sub-genres
• Fairy Tales and Mythology
Fairy tales are not just for kids!
The original versions of many fairy tales and myths were often violent stories set in
mystical lands, sometimes with strange creatures and sometimes even stranger
heroes.
Fairy tails have become one of the most popular fantasy sub-genres.
examples: most disney/pixar
10. Fantasy Sub-genres
• Comic Fantasy
Tales designed specifically as spoofs of other serious fantasies, or containing
humorous elements to a light-hearted tale.
examples: Your highness, robin hood: men in tights
• Dark Fantasy
Encompasses the nastier side to the usual fun of the fantasy genre. Dark fantasy includes the
nightmarish, dark side of magic, creatures, evil and demons.
Examples: constantine, pan’s labyrinth
11. Tips on writing Fantasy
• 1. The Premise:
This is your big idea! What you are trying to say in a nutshell.
You are taking a stand. All fantasy is allegorical and so your fantasy story should
stand for something else.
Remember this rule:
If it’s only about what it’s about, it’s not about enough.
Figure out what your larger story stands for.
Everything springs from the premise; use it as a map to make all story decisions.
12. Tips on writing Fantasy
• 2. The Hero:
It’s not necessary that the Hero of your fantasy story is a prince, princess or the
‘chosen one.’
By going to the fantasy world an ordinary person opens up to a mystical experience.
The Hero needs to break convention and they need to open their mind and learn to
see possibilities.
Let the premise guide you and help you in coming up with characteristics for the
Hero that will best suit your story.
13. Tips on writing Fantasy
• 3. The Fantasy World:
What is this world? A fantasy dream or a fantasy nightmare? You can contrast the fantasy world with
the real world. (‘Alice in wonderland.’ Above + below the rabbit hole.)
Is the fantasy world positive or negative? What can the hero learn from this world?
The fantasy world could be set in a fantastical space or fantastical time, or both.
Set the rules of the world and don’t break them. Define them. That is the only way to make the world
come alive - you don’t want a boring fantasy!
The fantasy world will often have ’The Passage Way’. This is the rabbit hole. Besides the literal use of
the Passage way it’s a signal to the audience that the rules will now change. We are going to see the
world in a new perspective and we are going to see a new set of rules.
14. Tips on writing Fantasy
• 4. The Opponent:
In many fantasy stories, the main opponent is the ‘King’ who is incapable of positive emotions such as love or
empathy and is often someone who has simply forgotten how to have fun (or wants to destroy everyone
else’s!)
They could be a person or an entity. (In ‘Big’ it’s the corporate executive. In ‘E.T.’ it’s the military and the scientific community.) Occasionally,
the main opponent is a mother figure. (The Queen in ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and the wicked witch in ‘The Wizard of Oz.’)
In a movie like ‘Honey I Shrunk the Kids’ instead of one main opponent, there are a series of opponents or
obstacles.
Generally, one should distinguish between the main opponent and other opponents that form the
forces of antagonism. All of this forms the conflict and no story can be complete without conflict but
a good fantasy story should have a strong, singular, main opponent who is directly in the Hero’s path.
15. Tips on writing Fantasy
• 5. The Final Battle:
Every fantasy story has an epic final battle for a climax. This is your Hero’s final test.
Save the best for last.
Usually what the hero has learned through their journey is used here to overcome
the main opponent in the final battle. There is an epiphany moment here for the
fantasy hero.
There’s no story after the novelty of the Fantasy world dies.
A deep conflict is a must; extremely crucial to keep a story going, no matter how
fantastical your world is. Keep the conflict coming and keep raising the stakes for
your Hero.
16. Clips
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (High/Sorcery)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7Ic9rZ9OQw&feature=relmfu
Pan’s Labyrinth - TRAILER (Dark/Crossover Fantasy)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZhKmHPyMJ4
Lord of the Rings - RIDE FOR RUIN (High fantasy)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwT9BEh7qZ0
