Screenwriting : Know your genre, Old School thought, or words of Wisdom? by Dustin Quinteros

Voice will always trumps genre. The taxonomy used to categorised movies is pretty dumb too. Who's saying know your genre? Low rent consultants? Self proclaimed gurus with no credits? Book authors with no careers to speak of? Their deluded cult like followers?

I feel this is yet another case of dreaming up rules, taking people who are simply getting on with being successful, and then touting them as rule breakers rather than accepting reality.

I also don't think listing a-list directors is a perfect example when it comes to talking about breaking in as writers. I don't think it could be further from perfect. Look at the careers of writers like Brian Helgeland, Melissa Rosenberg, Damon Lindelof, or Tony Gilroy.

The problem that exists is when you have screenwriters who are all over the map with their voice and it's exasperated by genre (particularly sub-genre). So, you've got a screenwriter trying to sell themselves with a portfolio containing something like gritty thrillers, adult rom-coms, and kids animation. That's very different to a writer pushing gritty thrillers, gritty rom-coms, and gritty animation.

This all said, people will try to pigeon-hole you as you build a career and this is one of the huge drawbacks people complain about if you see sudden success. The more you are known for something, the harder it is to move away from it. Lesser known screenwriters move around within genre a lot because they are searching out jobs rather than having people call them with offers because they're that "teen sci-fi" writer they know has had success.

In the early stages, knowing your genre is often so that a manager/agent etc. knows how/where to sell you. If someone's after a comedy writer they know who from their list to sell and have examples.

When you get further into your career you can switch like the ones mentioned. It doesn't mean don't write them, just maybe don't necessarily use them as your early portfolio.

I think voice play into certain genre. My voice gives me some flexibility, but I also know my limits. Not a comedy writer. I can put a joke in and write a funny character, but my stories are not comical.

Your voice can cross genre. I like playing guitar. If you see older blues and jazz players, they will play hollow body electrics. These guitars have a voice for that. These guitars are also used by some rock players (like the guy in The Cult). But not used by shredders or heavy metal players, because they don’t have the right voice for that genre.

Genre is secondary to your voice and style but over time you will find that you become more comfortable in some generalized genre/style - but always keep your voice in mind.

In executive talks I've heard here on stage32 they're actually looking for uniqueness takes on genre mash-ups. Its sharknado meets the grind who stole Christmas

I think we each have so many stories to tell... regardless of genre. I definitely agree with some of the comments above, that we have a very specific voice that may be present in each script, but that certainly doesn’t pigeonhole us to one genre. Write to your heart’s desire!

Lot of great feedback on this one! The big "theme" seems to be "voice", which to me, is another word for tone and style. Tarantino and Wright are perfect example of this. No matter the "genre", western, action etc. they always have similar tones and styles. You always know you're watching a Tarantino movie. As far as them being filmmakers and assumedly above the rules we have to remind ourselves that no one started at the top. Tarantino worked as a Blockbuster Video clerk long before he ever stepped on a set much less into the director’s chair.

I don't care about genre or voice or brand. I write the stories I have to write, told by the characters that have to tell them, in the style best suited for the tale. Maybe that means I'll never have a paying career. :(

How do you know which genre will become your favorite if you don't learn its rules and write a few scripts in this genre? Sometimes the story itself will suggest the genre. Falling into the trap of one genre? If someone receives a great comedy from a writer who previously wrote horror and dismisses great text because of it - what does it tell about him/her?

Writing in one or two specific genres can help you find your voice when you begin. Especially if these are genres you are very familiar with. I think that when you start gaining more experience your voice and your themes help you find the right genre for your story.

Tarantino was sticking close to his voice and ignoring the so-called rules long before Dogs. He was also directing his own movie when he worked at Video Archives, around which time he sold two scripts to A-list directors and refused to re-write both of them when asked.

It's important to get this right because it can completely change people's view on how careers are built. Self proclaimed gurus tend to completely misrepresent history to push their agenda.

I have written multiple genres (horror, faith-based, comedy, rom-com, thrillers) and a variety of platforms (TV, film, radio comedy & stage plays.) Working across multiple genres makes you a better writer. Even suspense can benefit from a funny line here and there. Zany comedies gain realism with dramatic character traits and arcs. Unfortunately, it is easier for agents/managers to market you if you are easy to define as 'that comedy writer' or 'that horror guy.' That being said, I don't think writers should ever squash an idea because it is out of their genre. So many good stories will never be written.

I've completely changed my mind on this. I was convinced that a writer needs branding as the X-writer. I don't believe this anymore. You should write your passion. Write what motivates you.

to me the story dictates the genre or genres. If you box yourself in, then that stymies what you can do

I find that writing genres can be based on how the writer views and finds meaning in their own world. For me, it's family/relationships and I most enjoy writing family dramedies -- a hybrid of family, comedy and love story.

I believe in writing in several genres. I write sci-fi, horror and fantasy. I have also written comedy. Why limit yourself. I agree with Patricia Santos Marcantonio .

I have a friend that is a stand-up comedian. He wrote a great horror script and landed a meeting. The horror film wasn't for them but they loved that he was a comedian and asked if he had written any comedies. He hadn't, and that was the end of that.

My takeaway is this - even if you really, really want to write in one genre, write at least one thing that pertains to your life/career. It could be the foot in the door you need to follow your passions. As one manager told me, "if you're really good at one thing, they'll pretty much let you write whatever you want from there."

Personally, I gravitate toward thrillers and comedy but have recently started writing drama. Since I'm an unknown writer, I don't care which one gets me the first job.

As an author, I write in multiple genres now. I originally started in steamy romance and I was going to publish into a new genre (dark suspense) last year under my real name but Covid hit and I pulled it back and published it under my pen name which was already established. It wasn't the time to promote myself under a new name while everything was going on.

I agree with a previous poster, it is about your voice and the style you bring to the table.

Wow -- when you said genre -- I took it to mean entirely different genres -- like I write screenplays, plays, Middle Grade Historical Fiction, essays and picture books. I jump happily back and forth and have transformed plays into books and screenplays into plays and books into screenplays!! They all require good characters and strong stories - only the formatting is different and the audience.

I am an author and a screenwriter. When I write a book, be it a sci-fi novel, historical fiction based on true events, or a fiction thriller novel, I always write the screenplay based on the book. I like to write in different genres. I even wrote a present day cowboy comedy as an experiment. I have written rom-coms, and ensemble comedies. I used to ghost write but got tired of never getting any credit for my work.. I have a new book coming out in a month and the screenplay is my best work. I am hoping that this will be the one. I keep trying because I love writing.

Let's say it like this. I'll use my example . I write horror and all it's subgenres, including mystery, paranormal, psychological, ancient creatures, vampires, zombies, demons etc... If you're a writer without credits (not a beginner ), and you still didn't break into the industry, I think you should stick with one genre. Then, after you get some credits rolling, you can try to dive into another similar genre, For instance, from horrors to thrillers. Don't get the audience scared. Get them thrilled!

Very inspiring comments here. I also would rather write in the genre that fits the story, than forcing my story on a certain genre. I do have my preferences though, and looking at the ideas i have, most of them are a match with my preferences. But i am open minded for most genres. I just want to tell good stories.

Read comments and it appears "voice" is the common thread, followed by style and genre. Although clichés, know the genre well enough (what the reader, producer, lit agent etc. are expecting to see) so when you bend the rules it comes across as fresh, or "a new twist to an old theme." You should know your voice and style. Then make any genre your own.

@Guy Well said

Lot of responses on this one, was hard to keep up but, the consensus seems to be good story telling is good storytelling. Now we just need to get the rest of the industry (the gatekeepers) to figure that out.

I DONT WRITE ANYTHING IF I HAVE NOTHING TO SAY. HATE WASTING PAPER

I must be a 1000 people because I'm comfortable in whatever voice I want to write about. My first short is about two Asian women, my next about two African American brothers and my next feature about a girl from India. I love these different voices and characters, and they love me back. One genre? Not me.