Fantasy Sub-Genres and How Specificity Helped Improve My Work

At my core, I’m an idea guy. I spend a lot of time writing scenes I’m never going to use simply to help me develop the voices of the characters. I love exploring the world I’m creating before I even touch plot. This is a bad habit I’ve spent a long time trying to curb, because eventually you learn it isn’t productive to indulge too much in free writing without being disciplined about self imposed parameters.

I don’t think there’s a specific course of action to take, because each writer has their own unique bad habits to overcome. So it depends. For me, I don’t have many parameters because too many rules feels restrictive to me. The most important things I adhere to are and that have worked for me are: 1) No free writing until I have a rough outline of the plot. A rough outline because I need my mind to be flexible to the idea that as I write, better choices may present themself. I cannot be aimless, knowing the general arc and the ending of the story is crucial for me. 2) Be regimented about what type of writing you plan to do according to the day. Whether it is 30 minutes of free-writing/world building and then an hour of work on your script, or script work on Tuesday and world building on Thursday. Whatever works for you. 3) Be specific and intentional about the sub-genre your story follows. This has been the most helpful addition to my process.

Picking a Sub-Genre is a really simple way to help you decide on an appropriate tone for your story. There are built in tropes for each sub-genre that can act as a template to get you started in the early development of your plot. There are certain types of characters that work and don’t work, and also give you a head start on finding other shows you could compare it to if you’re looking to sell or produce your script.

The fantasy genre is vast, with constant innovation and merging of sub-genres thanks to brilliant and imaginative authors. In fiction, the list of sub-genres is constantly growing. When it comes to film and television, I think the list of sub-genres is a little more narrow and focused, since we are greatly limited in technology and budget to make these worlds come to life.

High Fantasy/Epic Fantasy

The rules for high fantasy and epic fantasy are quite recognizable, as many of the biggest fantasy blockbusters would fit under this sub-genre. When it comes to fiction, both of these would be considered their own sub-genres, however for film and television they both tend to fit the same niche. It must take place in a world that is different from our own, with concrete magic systems that are integrated into the plot and characters. There is often an ensemble cast of characters with personal character arcs, incredibly vivid worlds with lots of color and flare, and themes and tropes almost everyone would recognize, for example, good vs. evil, the chosen one prophesy, and the hero’s journey. Cinematically, it is a genre that you could have a lot of fun with. Spectacular sets and wardrobe with flare and color, lots of green screen and CGI, magic fights and magical creatures, and much more.

Film/Tv Examples: The Lord of the Rings, The Wheel of Time, Shadow and Bone, Avatar the Last Airbender, His Dark Materials.

Low Fantasy/Urban Fantasy

Again, these are two sub-genres that would get their own distinctions in literature, but for film and television they could be easily grouped together. Low fantasy and urban fantasy are sub-genres that take place in the world we know or one very similar, sometimes in a city or suburb or in a rural area. The magic is not universally known or common, but rather an extraordinary event that impacts the characters in the story. The magic is accepted, but the need to understand it on a deeper level is usually not needed. Maybe there’s no magic, but instead takes place in a dystopian civilization on what we know to be Earth. These movies and shows are going to feel a lot less “fantasy.’ There can be so much variation in story and tone. Cinematically, I would consider these films to feel more grounded in a reality we all are familiar with. There would probably be a bigger focus on character driven stories, less CGI and more practical effects, being able to shoot out in the world instead of needing to rely on green screen or sets. I would argue that Low Fantasy/Urban Fantasy can take place in different time periods, though others might consider that a different sub-genre.

Film/Tv Examples: The Green Mile, Pan’s Labyrinth, The Hunger Games, Carrie.

Superhero Fantasy

This is a sub-genre everyone and their mother should be able to instantly recognize. Anything Marvel and DC has done, or more simply- a person with incredible abilities who dresses up in a branded costume that companies can franchise and merchandize. There has definitely been some smart and well-timed innovation in the genre, notably including some dark humor or some weird quirk to add some novelty to the genre, since we are inundated with super hero content. The MCU did some incredibly influential work with their cinematic universe, some would argue there is no way to top it. I can sense the fatigue in this genre, and I think it would do everyone some good if the industry was more selective about the superhero movies and shows they choose to make.

Film/Tv Examples (besides Marvel and DC): Hancock, The Boys, Umbrella Academy, Invincible, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen

Supernatural Fantasy/Horror Fantasy

This sub-genre is one of my favorites. There’s a lot of common ground between this and Low Fantasy/Urban Fantasy. Any magical creature from folk lore or myth or religion- vampires, werewolves, zombies, ghosts, angels, gods, etc, are commonly found in a world similar to our own. I find there is great range and potential in this genre when it comes to tone and plot potential. Classic monster movies paved the way for this genre, and are foundational to the film industry as a whole. Whether it’s horror, romance, coming of age, or even survival/thriller, this genre is known for cult followings and prosthetic makeup and awesome jump scares.

Film/TV examples: It, Frankenstein, True Blood, What We Do in the Shadows, Supernatural, World War Z.

Historical Fantasy/Romance Fantasy

I predict that this sub-genre will experience a huge resurgence over the next couple of years. This sub-genre sells incredibly well in the publishing industry, which only means studios will be purchasing the rights to adapt at an astonishing rate. These stories can take place in either a high fantasy or low fantasy world, but romance and love will be the primary focus of the plot. I wonder why these two sub-genres get roped together so frequently. Personally, it seems like period pieces struggle to do well in the box office unless there is an edge, which could be romance or mystery or thriller. This is not one of my favorites, sorry to disappoint, but the success of this genre is undeniable.

Film/TV examples: Outlander, The American Society of Magical Negroes, The Shape of Water, A Discovery of Witches.

What are some of your favorite sub-genres? Are there any adaptations that you hope to see? Do you think High Fantasy or Low fantasy makes for better visual stories?