WHAT ARE FUN AND GAMES?

In screenwriting, “Fun and Games” refers to a section of the story where the protagonist (and audience) get to enjoy the premise of the movie or experience the story’s central concept. During this section, the protagonist typically enjoys some initial success, and there is a sense of playfulness or light-heartedness before facing greater challenges.

This section of the story usually comes after the set-up and before the conflict. It is designed to give the audience a break and to establish the stakes of the story before the conflict intensifies.

During this section, the protagonist may experiment with their new abilities or come up with creative ways to overcome obstacles. It is typically a more light-hearted and enjoyable part of the story before the more intense moments of conflict and rising tension. This section of the story is often used to set up expectations for what is to come and to establish the character’s motivation for facing the challenges that lie ahead.

Here are some examples of “fun and games” sequences in cinema:

1. “Back to the Future” (1985) – Marty McFly explores the 1950s and enjoys the perks of being in the past, including interacting with his parents and rocking out at the Enchantment Under the Sea dance.
2. “The Hangover” (2009) – The group of friends embark on a wild night in Las Vegas, engaging in humorous and outrageous activities, including stealing a police car and encountering Mike Tyson.
3. “Jurassic Park” (1993) – The characters have a thrilling and awe-inspiring experience when they first encounter the dinosaurs and explore the park, leading to moments of wonder and excitement.
4. “The Avengers” (2012) – After the initial gathering of the superheroes, they engage in thrilling action sequences, showcasing their powers and working together to battle enemies.
5. “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981) – Indiana Jones goes on a series of adventurous quests to locate and retrieve the Ark of the Covenant, encountering various obstacles and engaging in action-packed sequences.
6. “Ocean’s Eleven” (2001) – The team of skilled thieves carries out a series of elaborate heists and deceptions as they plan and execute the robbery of three Las Vegas casinos.
7. “Deadpool” (2016) – The irreverent and self-aware antihero, Deadpool, embarks on a humorous and action-filled journey, breaking the fourth wall and engaging in comedic and violent encounters.
8. “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986) – Ferris Bueller and his friends have a day filled with fun and mischief as they skip school, including visiting an art museum, crashing a parade, and evading the school principal.

These examples showcase moments of enjoyment, excitement, and adventure for the characters, typically before the story takes a turn and presents greater challenges or conflicts.