We bet if you were asked, you could easily name five film or TV heroes off the top of your head. Chances are, a lot of them would share the same characteristics. Being a hero doesn't always mean saving the galaxy or creating a super-suit. There are heroes in small, quiet dramas, comedies, and romances. But when they face obstacles, the hero is often brought low and forced to rally, or they're selfless for their chosen family, or they never give up.Writer Brandon McNulty breaks down the hero tropes he loves most in his video below, and honestly, these patterns show up in some of the best stories we know. (You don't have to use all of them, of course. Sometimes one well-executed trope is all you need.)So let's go through these tropes and how they can help your screenwriting. - YouTube www.youtube.com Found FamilyThe found family trope is beloved for a reason. Everyone wants connection and to feel accepted. In this trope, a hero without strong family ties forges connections with unlikely companions. These relationships become as meaningful—sometimes more so—than traditional family bonds, built on choice rather than obligation.This trope works so well because it taps into a universal desire for belonging. The dynamic works when characters challenge and uplift each other organically. Their connection creates opportunities for conflict, growth, and emotional beats.You can find examples of this trope everywhere because it's so dang reliable. Take Alexander Payne's The Holdovers. Paul Hunham, a disliked history teacher, Angus Tully, a...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Thursday, 9 October