Storytelling tropes are recurring patterns, motifs, or devices that are used in storytelling. They can be found in all forms of storytelling, from literature and film to music and video games. Tropes can be used to create a sense of familiarity and predictability, or to subvert expectations and create a sense of surprise.
In this study, we explore how storytelling tropes cluster in popular films. We use a corpus of 1,000 popular films from the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) and identify the most common tropes used in these films. We then use a hierarchical clustering algorithm to group these tropes into clusters based on their similarity.
Methods
We first identified the most common tropes used in the corpus of 1,000 popular films. To do this, we used a combination of manual coding and automatic text analysis. We manually coded a sample of 100 films for tropes, and then used the results of this coding to train a machine learning model to identify tropes in the remaining 900 films.
We then used a hierarchical clustering algorithm to group the tropes into clusters based on their similarity. The clustering algorithm was based on the Jaccard similarity coefficient, which measures the similarity between two sets of items based on the number of items that they have in common.
Results
The clustering algorithm identified five main clusters of storytelling tropes:
* Action-adventure tropes: These tropes are typically found in action-packed films, such as car chases, explosions, and fight scenes.
* Comedy tropes: These tropes are typically found in comedies, such as slapstick comedy, wordplay, and situational humor.
* Drama tropes: These tropes are typically found in dramas, such as love triangles, betrayal, and redemption.
* Fantasy tropes: These tropes are typically found in fantasy films, such as magic, dragons, and elves.
* Horror tropes: These tropes are typically found in horror films, such as jump scares, gore, and psychological horror.
Discussion
The results of this study provide a deeper understanding of how storytelling tropes are used in popular films. The five main clusters of tropes identified in this study represent the most common patterns of storytelling used in these films. These tropes can be used to create a sense of familiarity and predictability, or to subvert expectations and create a sense of surprise.
The findings of this study can be used by filmmakers and screenwriters to create more engaging and effective stories. By understanding the most common tropes used in popular films, filmmakers can make more informed decisions about the tropes they use in their own films. This can help them to create stories that are both familiar and surprising, and that appeal to a wide range of audiences.
Limitations
This study is limited to a corpus of 1,000 popular films. The results may not generalize to other types of films, such as independent films or documentaries. Additionally, the clustering algorithm used in this study is based on the Jaccard similarity coefficient, which is a relatively simple measure of similarity. More sophisticated measures of similarity could potentially yield different results.
Despite these limitations, this study provides a valuable starting point for further research on storytelling tropes in popular films. Future research could explore the use of tropes in different genres of films, the evolution of tropes over time, and the impact of tropes on the success of films.
