#70: Status Genre Conventions

In today's episode, I'm going to walk you through the conventions of the status genre. I'm also going to show you how these conventions show up in the movie The Devil Wears Prada. Here's a preview of what's included:

[01:45] Status stories center around the protagonist’s inner need for respect that manifests as a specific desire to achieve or accomplish something in the external world.

[02:55] Readers of status stories want to feel hopeful that the protagonist will succeed. They want to read about someone who works hard to improve their situation–and they want to feel a sense of triumph when that person succeeds.

[05:15] 1- The protagonist wants to gain respect, but what they need is self-esteem.

[06:05] 2- The antagonist opposes the protagonist and threatens their position.

[07:00] 3- There is a clear (and specific) definition of what it means to be successful.

[08:15] 4- The setting is public; people will witness the protagonist's success or failure.

[09:10] 5- At least one social problem or moral challenge for the protagonist to face.

[10:05] 6- At least one foil character who demonstrates a different path to success.

[10:40] 7- At least one mentor figure who guides the protagonist, for better or for worse.

[11:35] 8- At least one shapeshifter character who hinders the protagonist’s progress.

[12:15] 9- The protagonist must overcome an inner obstacle related to success.

[13:25] 10- The ending of a status story is usually bittersweet.

[14:30] Key points and episode recap.

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Links mentioned in this episode:

• Episode Freebie: Status Genre Conventions PDF Cheat Sheet
• Conventions vs. tropes: What's the difference? (podcast and article)

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