Screenwriting : What list do you want to be on? by Regina Lee

As a comedian I wrote two dramas and frankly that sort of wore me out. I went back to my last script being a comedy and I felt fine. So if I wanted on a list, I think comedy writing would be nice.

Hi Dene, I wasn't there during your arguments :-) so I don't know what the context was. "Writers should write in whatever genre they want" could mean "don't feel compelled to write horror just because horror might be selling well." It might not mean "be a jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none." But unclear...

People's interests are very much diverse in any field. I guess we should all be passionate writers who can be on a given genre or as many as possible. Wanting to be the jack-of-trades or not wanting to be can to be so problematic. Everything boils down to loving what you do and going the extra miles.

Nobody knows what anyone has to do to break in. I know people that just wrote in one genre that broke in and I know people that have written in every genre known to man and broke in. It's really just a crap shoot no matter what you do.

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Hi Dan, I'm not sure what one has to do. I have written in several genre, rewriting as my critics advise. September is my greatest put-out since I began writing. Let's see what happens. I found Kate Sharp of Whiskey Helps Productions the clearest most comprehensive comments and which I hope have come through. Although, her comments were a bit late for some submissions. I congratulate all those who have achieved success.

Regina I took your advice and asked the manager I've been talking to about going from one genre to another. He said that generally speaking, it's a bad idea for a newer/unknown writer to jump around too much. I also asked him about the family/animation market and he said it is a very closed group and nearly impossible to break into. So I've shelved my little family story idea for now and I'm concentrating on finishing my latest drama/thriller. So you were pretty much spot-on with your recommendations! :-)

From what I've gathered, agents/managers are merely looking to get you hired. Getting your screenplay made isn't necessarily their objective. They're more interested in your voice, and if it's unique, because that's what they market. So, you could have the most diverse portfolio in the history of portfolios, or one more curated to a specific genre, but if your voice isn't distinct, none of it matters.

Jody: You should consider subscribing to the InkTip newsletter. It seems like someone is looking for a family genre script nearly every week. Animation...I don't know much about...but I think the big budget Hollywood studio scripts mostly come from either new studio ideas regarding what to make, or pre-existing IP's that the studios already own or will purchase in the future...and that those scripts are then written by insiders. And don't forget they work several years on a film before it's released..the 2018 release schedules are already out. But family scripts....there seems to be a lot of producers looking for family scripts....and I wouldn't encourage you or anyone to give up on that market. Most are low-budget, of course. But that market is thriving and pretty open to non-insiders, at least in my opinion. Good luck and Happy Writing, Jody!

For me it's easy. I always keep coming back to comedy so I'm good.

Im starting my own list. The DOG list. Writing a dog movie. live action. No dialogue. Just barking.

Dan, What a pity you have so much aggression. Perhaps a photo of yourself might make you more accountable for your comments hidden behind a drawing.

Pat- relax. It's not Life & Death. and I am writing a dog story, from dog's POV.

Patricia: Dan's a good guy and has contributed a lot of value to the Stage32 Forums. "Don't judge him by his profile pic", said the guy with the most realistic profile pic on Stage32. Heh-heh.

Every good story has a dog in it, or at least most of them do.

Fiona, Jody - if you're still in the phase when you're writing in different genres and/or for different audiences to define your own forte, that's fine too. But IF IF IF you're writing for a big market (e.g. London, Hollywood), then I'd recommend going through the process to find your genre forte/expertise and not trying to be a jack of all trades.

Regina I'm finding that the producers, agents and managers I'm talking to now are all giving me the same advice that you've given. Try to find a genre that works (mine seems to be drama/thriller) and don't stray too far. That being said, I did recently write a tv pilot that is suddenly generating interest, and while it is still a drama, it's not really a thriller. I was told by a reader that it was "Breaking Bad" that delves into sex rather than drugs. But it does still fit the broader genre of "drama".

Does the same apply for Producers? Looking to develop a feature (first time), would I seek out a Producer who's had success across multiple genres or search for those with success in similar projects?

Hi Wesley, yes and no. One example - Let's say you're a slasher horror writer or a producer, and you want to sell a comedy project. The studio may be more reluctant to buy from you if the comedy is off-brand for you. It doesn't help them with marketing. They can't say "From the makers of SAW comes the family comedy I LOVE MY KITTY CAT." That's bad marketing. Plus, they may not trust that you have the expertise to take a script to the finish line if that script is outside of your wheelhouse. On the other hand, let's say you have a spy thriller, and you take it to the producers of JAMES BOND. It may be on-brand, but they may say, "Sorry, this isn't as good as JAMES BOND." Or, "Sorry we already have a franchise in that space." So it depends.

Jody, it's a little different with TV. I think Erik Grossman posted somewhere explaining.

I posted this earlier in today's romantic comedy topic. Damien Chazelle's La La Land opens soon, too, and is probably a film we can all relate to - about aspiring artists in LA. Damien Chazelle is a brilliant writer. In a short period, his works have included a musical, (Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench), a horror film (The Last Exorcism), a thriller (Grand Piano), a drama (Whiplash), a psychological thriller (10 Cloverfield Lane), and La La Land. He is a perfect example of a writer who isn't pigeon-holed to one genre, and who follows his dreams. Kudos and much continued success to Damien Chazelle.

Bill C - please also note for the newbies out there that Damien is a writer/director.

Regina: nice catch. For the "new writers" out there...I failed to call Mr. Chazelle a writer and a filmmaker, and he'll probably be a producer/executive producer of his future films as well. Thanks, Regina. Another favorite writer/director/producer (and novelist) who isn't pigeonholed is Rebecca Miller. Her drama ranges from tragedy to comedy. Maggie's Plan is easily the funniest movie I have seen this year. I would recommend to everyone to see all of her films, if they haven't already - she is a great filmmaker and writer. Hossein Amini is another brilliant writer who defies pigeonholing. His scripts range from fantasy to thrillers to political dramas to crime dramas. He has directed one of the dozen or so scripts that he has written. Chris Sparling, Michael Starrbury, Phyllis Nagy, Graham Moore, Matt Charman and Max Landis, to name just a few more, are all brilliant writers who also defy pigeonholing. While I don't disagree with Regina's strategies for "some" new writers trying to break into the mainstream Hollywood cinema/television/cable industries, I don't agree with it for "all" writers. Choose your strategies carefully; based on your own goals, objectives and skills; and write because you love it! Good luck and Happy Writing/Strategizing/Pitching/Building Relationships, writers!

Hey Bill, I've never said that any piece of advice - mine or anyone else's - is "one size fits all." I often reply "it depends" and I use the words "may" and "if" which are conditional. Allow me to quote my last line in the OP: "So just consider this guy's experience as you make this important career decision based on YOUR personal situation, but know that specific advice may not apply to your desires." Did I say this passage applied to "all" writers? Please help me become a clearer communicator. How did I mislead people? Where did I say this passage applies to "all"?

Regina: I just stated that I didn't agree with that strategy for all writers, and didn't state that you think it should apply to all writers.

Then we're in agreement because I don't see ANY strategy as the universal strategy for all writers.

Regina: Yes. If I were a new writer trying to break into mainstream Hollywood....especially on the television side......I would probably at the very least have a lot of stuff in one genre....and probably in two genres that I love....to double my chances - with emphasis on "love". And to take it a step further...I would ideally have a degree from UCLA, USC, NYU, Yale, Harvard, Columbia College, Columbia U, Northwestern, Emerson, Wesleyan, AFI, or Missouri-Columbia (and I probably missed a few with my apologies).

Apologies if I'm about to speak out of turn. I read the thread and was confused by a comment that highly successful / branded writer's, most who haven't or no longer pitch for assignments were used as examples for new writers itching for an assignment / agent / positive feedback across multiple genres. To quote the OP, "Obviously, this decision is a very important one not to be taken lightly, and your strategy depends on your personal goals and resources." Resources, like a family of writer's, access to higher education, famous friends. Those mentioned in a comment were and are extremely hard workers, great strategists, and also had established connections and success before venturing outside their bubble. I disagree that their works are diversified across a slew of genres, those that cross, all contain a universal theme. Rebecca Miller has an edge with her father as a playwright, she sports a Yale degree and some nice arm candy with the legendary D.D.L. but her genre is tragedy. "Comedy is Tragedy" Dante? Chris Sparling is crime/thriller all the way ... even before the "acclaimed" Buried and now his latest with Leo attached. Phyllis Nagy (drama) father also a playwright, studied and produced works at the Royal Court Theatre in U.K., she was the resident writer before writing and adapting dramas for the screen in 2005 where Sir Ben Kingsley was attached for Mrs. Harris. Max Landis, (have you seen him pitch? I'd hire him to write a birthday card) had that spec-tacular sale year starting with Chronicle (pitched for assignments of Pan, Ghostbusters, Jurassic World). Fantasy /Action with a focus on the characters development or moments of transformation & actualization. I know of only one work doesn't contain action or supernatual elements, which he directed (Superman comes up in the dialogue though). His father made some films and television and music videos as well. Amini is unique but thriller for sure and I dont know anything about the others. Cheers.

Hi Wesley, if you have time, please check out: https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting/Genre-Jumping An excerpt: If you're plotting your career with purpose, and you want to sell into Hollywood, if you want to move toward those goals as efficiently as possible, you can decide if the odds are higher for selling yourself as the "next Bill Goldman, Nora Ephron, Allan Loeb, or Leslie Dixon," or if the odds are higher by selling yourself as follows - quoting Erik: "Oh, you want to do a film with a strong female protagonist? You gotta check out this new writer, does amazing female lead characters, check out the other scripts they wrote, awesome female characters!"

Thanks for taking the time to give a great reframe, CJ! You can see in his equally intellectual and emotional response why he's the writer, and I'm the far inferior non-writer!

+Regina I checked out the other discussion and enjoyed it, I'm a sucker for the sports analogies.

If only I were facile enough to write/speak about complex topics without resorting to analogies and metaphors. It's my own failing.

Regina: Your comments here are quite spot-on and fluent.

Hey Bill, thanks for taking the time. I think I've told you before that I truly find it very challenging to write to a readership of widely varying experience levels, desires, even cultural contexts, etc.

Regina: If your comments were ancient Greeks, they'd be like Herodatus, with a touch of Socrates. Well, maybe with some Thucydides thrown in, too, since he was the supreme evidence-gatherer and brought analysis of cause and effect to a whole new level. That might be a bit too obscure. Hmmm. If your comments were a metastable allotrope of carbon, they'd be diamonds. They'd be....oh jeez...metastable allotrope? What the frig am I sayin'? Damn these analogies! Write what you know, Bill! Write what you know! Your words are like an 11 on a come-out roll at the craps table, Regina. Like the ricotta in a cannoli. Like Act 4 in Puccini's La boheme. There - that's more like it. Heh-heh.