Genre conventions

Conventions are key ideologies that film makers stick to when making films, however these can be blurred and adapted. Conventions are required in media to give the audience an understanding of what to expect and roughly how aspects such as the plot, characters and mise-en-scene will plan out. 

When film makers see a decline in the popularity of  certain genres this is when some of the conventions may be slightly changed other wise known as the genre-cycle. When this takes place it must still be recognisable to the audience as their select genre however now given a fresh look to keep them interested and willing to keep watching.

Do conventions restrict or help a film maker?

One argument to say that conventions restrict film makers is that it may limit their creativity. This could be done if multiple genre conventions were mixed together into one film and making an original work, but then when put together it could appears very abstract with little to relate it to.

One final point is that it could also be said that by following these conventions it does make the job easier in that they know roughly how the plot should unfold and aspects like location and characters should be developed.