That Group That's Good: Research into Genre

Fantasy is considered a sub-genre. It tends to over lap some distinct genres, such as Science Fiction and Historical, or Science Fiction and Horror, but films with this genre don't fit into just one of the two. Typical Fantasy films take the audience on an adventure into an unknown world or dimension, giving freedom to the writer as to what could happen. Things that occur don't have to be realistic, but there is still an option to make it so. Mythology and magic tend to pop up when discussing this genre, but the film's content is in no way restricted because of this, which makes it a great genre to work a film around.

Types of Characters:
When watching different Fantasy films, there seems to be at least one of these generic characters:

The Hero - This character is usually someone who has only recently been introduced to how things work in the newly discovered world, however they can already be familiar with it, or even part of it. Through out the film, they begin to doubt their role in the quest or mission, but still succeed, be it expected or a surprise.
The Villain - Opposite to the Hero, this person/people tends to be controlling. Having created the strongest army there is, they are feared amongst the new world, and it is up to the Hero to stop them.
Damsel in Distress - Typical fairy tales and fable based films include a helpless character that is the main reason the Hero is trying to confront the Villain.
The Comedic Side Kick - Jumping in with side comments and sarcasm, this character tends to question the unrealistic stuff, or how daft it is. For example, if the hero had just met a crazy old man who told them they need to travel across the country to help save someone, and they accept the challenge, they will make remarks, making them relatable to the audience. This character may also be a cautious, or 'wimpy' person, who is in constant fear and danger.
The Love Interest(s) - Be it one person and the hero, or two people in their fellowship, love interests normally start out as the stronger one of the pair. They will look down on their soon-to-be-love-interest, and feel as though they are a burden, but they will soon begin to notice their determination and strength. With at least one hiccup along the way, they always tend to end on a high note.

Typical Storylines:

Fantasy films range when it comes to storylines, due to its unlimited range of potential plots. Stereotypical plots for this genre may include:

Destiny/ The Chosen One - Follows the hero as they overcome challenges and resist their prophecy, before fulfilling it. This occurs in popular films such as Harry Potter in the Harry Potter Books, and Luke Skywalker in Star Wars.
A Wise, Old Wizard - Acting as a Mentor, the main characters are told to pursue something, or have help from a very particular character, which causes a few problems along the way.
The Dark Lord - A blood-thirsty antagonist is thirsty for power and will do anything to get what they want. This storyline tends to make the audience both hate the villain, as well as sympathy, caused by a back story.

Mise-en-scene:

In these film genres, the following objects are usually thought of by most people when mentioned:

Costumes are unusual, with the odd exception. Depending on how abnormal the new world is, or if there even is a new world, the way people dress will accentuate their personality. Their make up will tend to merge with their costumes, as prosthetics and CGI will come in use when making actors look like a faun or a centaur.
Settings include forests, woodland and make-believe cities, but they all fir the general description of a traditional location, but with a twist. For example, the city will be filled with large buildings and busy streets, but it may be floating miles above the ground, and filled with pixies and dwarves.
Props include unusual weapons and devices, usually used together with magic, unrealistic potions, like the ability to become invisible, advanced technology and strange armour.

Fantasy Films:

Lord of the Rings:

Set in an alternative world, Lotr includes many conventions and Iconography. Characters range in species, from Orcs to Hobbits, but Humans aren't excluded, nor are they seen as any less of a character for not being mystical or original. The plot is simple, but still includes many twists and difficulties the characters have to endure to achieve their goal, and on a whole, it is, basically, a fight between good and evil.

A New York Winter's Tale: