The important thing is awareness. First, know your genres. Make the determination that you’re in a horror movie, and do it early. The more quickly you do so, the more likely you are to be the one left standing at the end. In my situation, I pop into existence surrounded by a shark and encumbered by a rabbit whom I can’t eat, so I think "horror" is a foregone conclusion, hmmm?

Yes, yes, I hear those of you suggesting "buddy comedy," but I hardly think so. Though the shark has been tending toward slapstick already...nevertheless, no.

Secondly, know who you are. Character traits you want to avoid: sexual precociousness, arrogance, "coolness" in all its forms, a vogue for sports of any nature. Try not to be too humorous or plucky, either - the comic relief sidekick might go either way: standing with the protagonist at the end, or killed off last to show them how serious everything has become.

Nothing I can do about the "cool" factor - I’m a cat, it comes with the territory. I’ll just roll with that (or "role" with that - oh, that was terrible) into the position of "audience favorite" and enjoy the plot armor that affords all the way to the end credits.

I wonder which of the others will be first for the chop?