A media player can identify one or more elements of a media presentation and select an element of the media presentation for generating output. The elements may be identified in a playlist or elsewhere. For example, the playlist may specify a composition of a plurality of visual, audio, or other elements for generating output or other behavior in parallel and/or in series over the course of the media presentation. The media player can comprise a playback component configured to utilize at least one selectively-enabled functional component of the media player to generate output based on evaluating the trait(s) exposed by the selected element. Traits may be determined based on analyzing media types or other data regarding the elements of the presentation.