Screenwriting : Chasing Trends by Donna Russo Morin

Hey, Donna, it's even worse in Germany in the commercial literary world, since we get your trends a couple of years later, and when people here start chasing them, they are SO over, and all agents say is: "I get SO MUCH of that same stuff from America right now." :-D

I have actually tried looking at PW to spot trends in America and bring them to Germany before everybody else but then ended up writing what was close to my heart.

I guess, I am with Owen, even if I have NO CLUE so far about the scriptwriting world. It just feels as if nobody knew nothing.

Thank you all for your input. I'm in total agreement. You are so right, John; publishers are so skittish these days; they're working from a constant state of fear.

Julie, I've had a couple of my books published in translation by a German publisher. My correspondence with them (through agent of course, heaven forbid otherwise), supports your statement completely.

From my perspective, how can you write well if you have no true passion for your subject matter? Robo Writers chase trends only to chase the money.

apples to oranges comparison, different business model. Do authors write spec novels as writing samples for publishers and then get hired to write a story the Publisher wants to publish?

As for chasing trends, biopics seem to be popular every year on the annual Black List best unproduced spec screenplays. Recent biopic specs lensed - tonya harding, ted kennedy car accident coverup, Boston marathon bombing, Watergate DC Reporters.

I never chase trends. Write what you want to see on the screen and make it damn good.

Here, here, Pierre.

I don’t follow trends but I avoid writing screenplays in genres that are obsolete either because nobody will read them.

That's interesting, Dan; what would be considered obsolete?

Given that the current trends involve existing IP such as Super Heroes, Remakes and Sequels, I think it is foolhardy. Write what you are passionate about- make sure that your voice comes through on the page, or better yet- find like minded people and make a film. :-)

Donna - I suspect that what Dan refers to are the weepies, creepies, oaters and the Busby Berkeley films of yesteryear. I doubt that the singing cowboy will resurface soon.

Donna. What Doug said plus I don't think Westerns are going to make a comeback anytime soon. Romantic comedies aren't completely obsolete but they are a hard sell today but could make a comeback one of these days.

I'm a sci-fi junky from the time I was a kid. I've tried horror, vampire zombie stuff but that's not me. I like sci-fi space settings but with a great story and not just explosions and things. That's where I want to be so I'll stay there no matter what the going trend is for the day.

Dan Guardino It's interesting to hear rom-coms are obsolete. Because "La-La-Land" (rom-com) won 2017 Oscar and NYC multiplexes are flush with 'em: "Prof. Marston & the Wonder Women," "Our Souls at Night," Victoria & Abdul," etc..

Hmmm... I read some dissent to Donna's post. Here I speak from experience. As a bookseller / book-buyer I SWORE by what Publisher's Weekly [PW] said (says), as did almost every book-buyer I knew in publishing.

BUT, book-publishing is not screenwriting. How do you sell a screenplay? On it uniqueness, I have been told - not, I hope, on its trendiness.

I appreciate all this input very much. While I can say (disgustingly immodestly) that I found great acclaim in the novel industry, I'm following the advice of my 'constant readers' (including my editor) who insist I'm a screenwriter. I'm no fool; I know that yes, I may have a talent for storytelling, but the method of telling a great story differently is a daunting task. I asked this question in the hopes of ferreting out if the things I dislike in publishing aren't the same in screenwriting. Though I'm sure there are other vexations just waiting to take their place.

LindaAnn. I said Rom-coms are aren't completely obsolete but they are hard to sell right now. I am producing one that Judy Norton wrote and is going to star in and we are having a hard time getting investors. Percentage wise they are way down on the list of scripts being purchased right now. One could win an award but that doesn't mean people want to invest in that genre.

Donna, My advice (worth about $0.02): making the jump from novelist to screenwriter is very difficult (been there, done that). First learn the format (and why it's essential) then write a short. Rom-Coms are a perfect genre for that. Remember too that a half hour sit-com has only 22 minutes of run time - really not much more than a long short.

Going back to the original question a lot of newer screenwriters write what they are passionate about. Most professional screenwriters write what producers hire them to write and most of them want what is hot at the time because they have to use it to raise production money. And it is true that by the time the movie comes out the trend is passe. I don't chase trends but some people do.

Doug - Great advice and all points! That's why my next screenplay is a 22-min sitcom! All the Best!

Donna, realize that the time from the moment of story inspiration to seeing your work on the big silver screen is very often well in excess of five years - today's trends will be old by the time you get there. So if you're chasing trends; you're already many years behind.

Thanks, Dan Guardino - I always read your posts! Have you & actress Judy Norton done a podcast of a few scenes to send to investors? Also have you tried production companies helmed by actresses?

Dan Guardino Maybe your investor is here! Good luck! (link) Actresses Who've Started a Film Production Company - http://www.eonline.com/news/783976/reese-witherspoon-inspired-rose-byrne...

I haven't done a podcast yet. I have two other projects that Judy Norton and I wrote together so that is a good idea and thanks for the link.

My best to Judy & you! There's that buzzy "hive mind" working for you, my friend! Dan Guardino

That is so nice of you to say. Thank you!.

I couldn't agree more, Gilberto. I refuse to do so with my books either. It's good so many here feel the same. Thanks to all.