Fantasy Overview:

Fantasy is one of the most popular genres to ever exist. From book adaptations to cartoons, it has a wide variety of media that is appealing for all audiences. Fantasy is a form of fiction that typically occurs in a imaginative setting and has otherworldly elements that do not exist in the real world. Like magical powers, talking animals, and fictional universes.

Content:

Quests

A common trope in this genre is when the main character/s have to go on a perilous quest to discover their purpose or earn honor, like defeating an evil tyrant or completing a seemingly impossible task. Quests fall into 2 categories: Internal and external. Internal quests are something the character wants, while internal quests are something the character needs for themselves.

Example: Lord Of The Rings

The primary goal of the movie is to destroy the One Ring and bring it to Mount Doom. Since the hero begins with the treasure and has to discard it, this type of quest is referred to as a reversed quest.

Chosen one:

Another popular element of fantasy is when a character has a specific prophecy or destiny they have to fulfill. Most of the time it is defeating a greater evil to bring stability into the world, basically framing the protagonist to be the inevitable hero of the story. Sometimes the character is in denial about this and they do not want to be the saving grace of the story, but they eventually come around. There is also a high chance that they sacrifice themselves in the end to fulfill their destiny.

Example: Harry Potter Franchise

In order to stop the prophecy, Voldemort attempted to killed Harry Potter and his family, which selected him as the chosen one to one day defeat Voldemort. He goes on perilous journeys and ultimately sacrifices himself for his community but resurrects.

Magical elements:

A key component of fantasy is magic. This incudes wizards, special powers, witches, spells, enchanted objects, and magical creatures. Magic emphasizes how the fantasy genre is something that could never happen in the real world.

Example: The Chronicles Of Narnia

Narnia includes things like talking animals, mythical creatures (dwarves, unicorns, giants), witches, magical objects (the closet)

Production Techniques:

In order to make the story fully immersive, productions have to be very detailed. The story they are presenting is totally different from the real world and they want the audience to feel disconnected too, as if they are escaping into another universe. Visual and special effects like computer-generated imagery (CGI) are among one of the most essential techniques used to bring supernatural elements and magical creatures to life. Makeup and costume design are equally as important. They can transform actors into whimsical creatures like trolls, wizards, and anything else imaginable. With unique sets and props that are all specific to their production, production designers help bring these fantastical worlds to life. Lighting and cinematography help contribute to these sets. The magical atmosphere is also enhanced by musical scores, that help make character distinct, scenes emotional, and unique sound effects for particular objects. Fantasy stories are able to draw in viewers successfully because of all the different techniques incorporated into their productions.

Samples:

The Wizard of Oz is an MGM classic. Its about a Kansas farm girl named Dorothy, who dreams about living "somewhere over the rainbow". But when a tornado suddenly rips through their home, Dorothy and her dog Toto are transported to the bright and magical world of Oz. To find her way home Dorothy is told she has to follow the yellow brick road that will lead her to Emerald City, where she can get help from the Wizard of Oz. Throughout her journey she makes friends with the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and the Scarecrow, which are all looking looking for something they don't have. They face different challenges and an ultimate confrontation. Its mystic setting, creative characters, and original storyline make it a fantasy film. There are a number of incredibly detailed sets in this movie that blend in perfectly with the storyline. The different atmospheres are contrasted even further by the change from black and white Kansas to Technicolor Oz. The film incorporated elaborate soundstages with different light setups and backgrounds that were matte paintings (since greenscreen didn't exist back then). This made the film so much more immersive. Its magical character such as the Tin Man, the talking Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion, and witches had to undergo extensive costuming, like wearing wigs, painting their bodies, and have lots of makeup done. The film has magical elements like Dorothy's ruby slippers, the magical tornado, munchkins, flying monkeys and more.

Wizard of Oz (1939)

Maleficent is the reimagined story of Sleeping Beauty from the point of view of Maleficent, who is a powerful fairy that was betrayed by a human king. As revenge she curses his daughter to fall into eternal sleep when she turns 16 years old. But as Maleficent sees princess Aurora grow up, she begins to feel affection and fondness for her. She realizes she needs to break the curse in order to maintain the peace in the lands. The use of magic curses, whimsical characters, and enchanting images make it a fantasy movie. With the help of CGI, the film's detailed fictional land of Moors comes to life, filled with mythical animals and vibrant scenery that contrast with the gloominess of the human land. Maleficent' s intimidating presence is enhanced by elaborate makeup and costuming, such as her famous horns and black robes, while dramatic lighting and a powerful musical score create an mysterious, ethereal atmosphere that draws in viewers.