The TVTropes Trope Finder is where you can come to ask questions like "Do we have this one?" and "What's the trope about...?" Trying to rediscover a long lost show or other medium but need a little help? Head to Media Finder and try your luck there. Want to propose a new trope? You should be over at You Know, That Thing Where.
Find a Trope:
openLooking down at someone from desk Film
Is there a trope for when a character approaches a big desk in order to talk to an important person sitting behind it, but the desk is so high (if the character is normal-sized) or the character so small (like a child) that in order to see them, the important person has to stand up, bend over the desk and look at them from above (it's usually done in a very smug way and is somewhat intimidating to the character in front of the desk) ? Usually there are some very low camera angles that make the character behind the desk look even more intimidating when they're bending over.
There is a perfect example of this in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone when Harry first sets foot in Gringotts Bank and the Goblin behind the desk stands up to get a good look at him.
openSpecific Fear Trope? Film
Is there a trope for a character who acts tough and bold, but when threatened, even in the slightest, cowers into submission/obedience?
openEnglish wife sleeps with Groundskeeper Film
There was a limited series (maybe 6 episodes) where a wife was taking care of her paralyzed aristocratic husband. She has an affair with the groundskeeper and ultimately leaves her husband for the groundskeeper. Does anyone know what it’s called and where I can watch it again?
openThe Babe Ruth Baseball Film
Seen literally in the "The Sandlot", and on a "Leave It To Beaver" episode entitled "Ward's Baseball", the dad or stepdad's valuable keepsake, the baseball signed by Babe Ruth - or his whole team - is used for, well, a baseball, under pressure from the other kids, with one party or the other unaware/oblivious of its sacredness. This leads, or course, to its loss, damage or destruction.
Wondering if there is a trope for/like this, dealing with the unnecessary taking the risk of disrepecting someone else's trophy property for the sake if convenience.
Edited by mentummikeopenExtemporary Opening Sequence Film
Hello everyone, I'm looking for a trope which describes when the opening sequence of a movie it's set apart from the rest of the story, with a character that we don't see for the rest of the movie, or that we may see just at the end. This sequence could very well be set in a previous time, the essential thing is that generally the movie protagonist doesn't appear at all. The particular of this kind of sequence is that is not really essential in the movie plot, but it kinda sets the atmosphere and/or the story.
The clearest example in my mind is the opening sequence of Star Trek (2009), with the death of George Kirk.
Is not really necessary in terms of plot because we already know the story of Star Trek and we already know James T. Kirk, but it kinda helps setting the story's tone and James' traits and motivations, without having him to appear.
Is there anyone who can help me?
open"No, wait, you don't understand, let me explain!!" Film
So I've seen this enough for it to have a name, and it annoys me so I want to know what to call it. Basically someone wasting time saying they want/need to explain and thus not having the time to explain. Two made-up examples below.
In an underwater base, deep below the surface, one of the crew members loses it and hijacks the only escape sub. The rest of the crew tries to stop him and then one of them realizes the imminent danger. He jumps on the intercom and yells "Bobby, stop! Do not start that sub, you don't understand! Please, just wait and let me explai.." *BOOM!* Instead of like going, y'know, "Bobby! The sub is still tethered, if you try to leave you'll get ripped to pieces!" WHY.
Or; Man gets visit from girlfriend. Girlfriend is super-pissed and goes "Bobby, you ass! I thought you loved me, I thought you were different, but I went to surprise you at your work and saw you joyfully and passionately hug another woman, saying you missed her and loved her! The wedding is off!" *Storms off* "Becky, no, wait, you don't understand, please let me explain!" *Door slams shut in his face* instead of instantly saying like "That was my sister, she came back early from deployment and wanted to surprise me. She's in the kitchen if you wanna meet her."
Is this a thing? What is the name of this thing so I know what to hate?
openChild's fare trope Film
Regarding this Not Always Right story...
Do we have a trope for pretending to be younger than you are to get the cheaper "child's fare" or similar? I remember it being used by Ginger Rogers in The Major and the Minor because she only had enough money for a child's train ticket.
openOne swear per movie Film
A movie series is only allowed to have one swear word per film. Comes in two variants:
- Only one swear word allowed period.
- Swears are allowed but one particular swear is only allowed once (example: Marvel Cinematic Universe movies are only allowed to use the word bitch once per movie but other swear words (crap, damn, shit, etc) are cool.
openThe 'sound' of a Femme Fatale/Lady in Red Film
Hi, I'm working on a an art project and looking at specific tropes in film and television such as the 'lady in red', and I'm looking to add a sound effect to my compilation which would repeat every 2 seconds with every shot. For another project with the trope 'Sexy Surfacing Shots' I have found 'splashing' sounds but how can I illustrate the colour red with sound? Is there a sort of 'quote' that is repeated with the trope of the woman in red? Thank you so much for you help !
openForgotten chekhov's gun Film
When there has been an intentional chekhov's gun placed into the movie but the script forgets about it. I don't think this is the same as a red herring, because there is no reason for there to be a red herring. It just feels like lazy script writing.
openLive Fast and Die Young Film
I picked a medium almost at random, because this feels very common.
Point being, I'm sure there *must* be a trope for a character who scoffs at the idea of growing old and grey, and instead expresses a desire to live fast and die young. I just can't seem to remember it, and I can't find it with the Search function.
openSlowly build-up to awkward silence. Film
Where a person, usually the character no one likes says something awkward like an inside joke no one gets, and goes "you know the uh... thing...hehehe..he..." *sighs*.
openForbidden from investigating suspect Film
When the police chief forbids the hero from investigating the villain because "they're an upstanding citizen".
Appears in Naked Gun, The Other Guys etc
openPolice Sirens Film
Is there a trope where every time police arrive at a scene a siren goes off to announce their presence even when it’s not an emergency? For example, a scene that takes place outside a restaurant and police show up off screen, the siren will go off prompting the actors to turn around and notice a police car. The officers are probably just going to get food, and a police car sounds just like a regular car save for the siren.
openTurns away before it works Film
The main character tries to cast a spell, or undo a curse, or run a robot/machine/whatever, and it doesn't seem to work. so they leave and then the audience sees that it did actually work. I can't think of any specific examples but I know there must be some and I'm going crazy.
open"You Can't Go in There" Film
Characters barge into an office and the secretary tries to no avail to stop them from disturbing her boss. Usually with the line "Excuse me, you can't go in there" or if they have already entered the secretary will poke her head in and say "I'm sorry, sir, they just barged in", to which the boss will usually say "It's fine [name], thank you." Seen in The Crown (season 1 episode 3 06:00), Jessica Jones (season 1 episode 4 13:05), and Better Call Saul (season 1 episode 3 25:00).
I'm looking for a trope where Monsters/"Wildlings"/Zombies attack a (huge) Wall.
For example World War Z, The Great Wall or Attack on Titan, Game of Thrones.
Thanks
Edited by Alexander20