Screenwriters Need To Pick One Genre - Shannan E. Johnson

[@sharonstafford8007]

"If you don't come in with your own label, they will give you one." Watch, listen, take notes - Shannan cuts to the chase with important "basics" that could make or break your screenwriting career. She is worth every minute.

[@johnjacobjingleheimerschmi2895]

Before all the tortured artists start to cry realize she’s speaking about how you MARKET YOUR BUSINESS, not how you create your art. In business we need known quantities that are easy to describe and sell; in art we need enigma, mystery, and originality.

[@PowersBenzoCoaching]

And with that you can write in multiple genres

[@C.Church]

@@PowersBenzoCoaching Lol ok you do that. Not gonna argue with the competition.

[@C.Church]

I haven't seen one comment yet that disagrees with the video and not argue something she didn't say. One person even agreed "to an extent" and differentiated his opinion from hers with a point she actually also said in the video. This means he agreed with the video fully, then. I wonder what is causing so much unfair criticism of this writing coach for saying what so many other coaches also say but they get thanks and praise. !!cough!rac!istsexists!!cough!!

[@PowersBenzoCoaching]

C C idk, I haven’t seen really anyone disagreeing with her

[@andrewturner5044]

It's still very limiting. This is why people should just start off by making their own movies. That way they can develop a name as a writer-filmmaker while still writing everything that they like. Who wants to spend years in one genre just to sell something or get a job when you like to write in multiple genres? When you rely on other people to categorize you...they only have so much time and their assessments are very constraining.

[@NIKONGUY1960]

She understands this is a business. Sage advice.

[@LikeAGentlemanPlease]

After reading the comments I see people really really really missed the message. It how to sell yourself in mainstream Hollywood until you prove yourself to make write another genre.

[@C.Church]

Last line of the video: "If you don't come in with your own label, they'll give you one." People still ask "Can I combine genres?" 😏 One person and 7 thumbs uppers think this video contradicts John Truby saying to combine genres. "One of them is a liar." 😏 Honestly, when I see situations like these, whatever "What is this world coming to?!" frustration is reduced when realizing these are the competition who dont listen to format advice and get thrown out of the reading pile making room for me.

[@lucidwindowsstudio]

I don't think people missed that point. We understand the difference. But it's like asking a musician to go pop. If you're writing with selling in mind then you will likely write trash. Both good writing and trash sell. There's a market for both.

[@TheBurgessNetwork]

Hands down, this is one of my favorite KZbin videos about screenwriting. Shannan makes perfect sense to me and what she says applies to life in general. We are living in a world now where more and more people don't want to be labeled and I am moving in the opposite direction - I embrace the labels as long as I am choosing which labels I want to use. Living without labels comes from a place of ego - it seems inconsiderate to me. For example, let's say you make a movie without a label, it would be hard for the marketing team to sell the movie. If I am in the mood for an action flick, how do I know it's an action flick? I am not going to buy the movie and that movie cannot be categorized into a specific genre because it doesn't have a label. Film genres - an example of a label - exist because the people who buy movies need to know what they are buying, what to expect. So writing a script without a genre, without a label is inconsiderate to film marketers and movie fans. How do you expect to make money? And yes, once you have proven yourself and you make money, you CAN do what you want and "switch lanes."

[@terryoneill2493]

This series is so jam-packed with insights! What a knockout.

[@charliefrazier5746]

After dabbling in this craft and trying to learn everything I need(ed) to know, since 2009 I stumbled onto your videos a few says ago and WHAM! I love and admire EVERYTHING about You and your delivery! I've written 10 screenplays and for the first time, I'm not so sure that I will end up taking them to my grave.

[@KDRtheMDDGNS]

I was going to skip this video but I heard her out. As someone with projects in various genres, I was bullheaded going in. But I get what she's trying to say. You want to be at an expertise level no matter how many genres you want to be involved in. She seems to be saying pick what you want your calling card to be, even if you have interest in other genres. This is very much industry advice so I took it as such.

[@JrtheKing91]

From what I hear is that you should start with one genre and then once you get bigger your can branch out into others.

[@C.Church]

3:31 That's what she said.

[@TheMichaelCardoza]

Lol!

[@victorallencook7107]

Thank you Shannon for the information .

[@andandopalteatroconlospies8139]

True, this is also applicable to any creative job in the industry like actors or directors.

[@filmcourage]

Do you agree that screenwriters should pick one genre?

[@centralcoastcinema7693]

Disagree. Maybe this worked for her but not all. Every story is unique and sometimes themes/genres mix. Write chaos.

[@SirHazeGaming]

Its like she mentioned, once you've established and mastered a lane, you can branch out.

[@thumper8684]

You can write for yourself. You can write for your audience. You can write for the studio executives. It depends on what you want to achieve and what sort of leverage you already have. I am writing for myself because that is all I know anyway.

[@jayv8068]

No because screenwriters should be coming up with new fresh takes on genres, which involves mixing. John Truby said it's best to mix genres

[@augustastories]

Film Courage This is great advice! It applies to branding in general as well. Love this one!

[@VicenteTorresAliasVits]

This is good advice if you want studios to hire you to write film adaptations and/or re-write a draft. Also if you want networks to hire you to be a part of a writers room when the TV pilot has already been written. There's nothing wrong with any of that, but there are plenty of writers who prefer writing their owns scripts when they get an idea. Finish your script and try to sell it to a studio. If they look hesitant because you're an unknown, use salesman strategies to convince them. If this doesn't work, offer yourself as a writer for hire like Shannan is describing. You'll be able to say all the genres you can write without sounding vague, because you have printed evidence on your hands. If this doesn't work either, try to sell it to an independent director/producer. They'll definitely be more open-minded. If it works and the movie becomes successful, go that studio again and see how they reply.

[@anothercharacter]

So hard to pick one genre though, I like several.

[@anilsrivastha708]

Some fantastic advice right here. Been looking for answers to these questions and both interviewer and Ms. Johnson cleared them for me.

[@thereccher8746]

"The key to success, is to combine two or more genres. Hollywood is a mult-genre system." John Truby. Hhhm. Somebody's lying to me,.and I don't like it.

[@Ruylopez778]

Ha, yes, I immediately thought of Truby also. But I think there's an overlap. He is saying that modern audiences are looking for a genre movie that combines the beats of other genres. For example; heist action movie with horror and sci-fi beats, but that is still within the action, or action horror genre/sub genre or action/horror/sci-fi. And she is saying you will get put in a box regardless as "the action guy" or "the action horror guy" so be clear in your career what direction you want to go in, until you are established and given more leeway.

[@C.Church]

That is not what she is talking about. (Is this topic that confusing? Lol)

[@ColGAFilms]

There was a comment on one of these film courage videos that I’ll share here: all of these videos make you think you need a super perfect screenplay in order for anybody to take it or buy it, and yet, you go to Netflix Hulu Amazon whatever, and you will see terrible TV shows and terrible movies that they somehow convinced someone to buy.... so I say take the advice that indicates tools and not “dos and don’ts”, breaking rules is how you stand out, and hopefully the people watching these videos are smart enough to realize what are tools that you should use and what are opinions

[@Ruylopez778]

@@ColGAFilms "you will see terrible TV shows and terrible movies that they somehow convinced someone to buy" Yes and no. That doesn't prove what they wrote was bad, it could be pre, shoot, or post that it got ruined, for a number of reasons. But yeah, if there's something about it they like, they might buy it (even if it's full of problems) and rewrite it. The best advice I see, from people with experience in the industry, is that producers are looking for talent that can make consistent work to deadlines - it's not projects they buy into, it's the personality and ethic of the writer. On top of that, nobody is perfect. It's easy enough for a top writer or director to make something that nobody likes.

[@ethaniel7551]

You can be a Master Romance Writer. But mix in Comedy to create Rom-Com or vice versa. That's the combination. Shannon here is saying you can't be a Master Romance Writer AND a Master Comedy Writer. Pick one to master and then combine other elements into the genre you have specialised in/became a master of.

[@akinkunmicook2977]

Great advice!

[@victorallencook7107]

I'm going to do it all .

[@Danny-fs1hk]

Solid advice; thanks

[@gemiriamford537]

Shannan... you rock! 🎸 🤘

[@haynesrobert2830]

Hello shannan! I only like science fiction genre because it's part of the essence for the protagonist and others afterwards. I always outlined then script my stories to what I write the protagonists beginning and journey. Sometimes I get stuck, but for the fact of what I learning what I outlined to finish a script, I master I already have another outlined in a productive mindset there's another story to structure another journey of a protagonist episode in my beginning stage without film school.

[@melon_ayo]

This is so refreshing. I see so many interviews from white men. The industry is ruled by them. Nothing wrong with that -- but it's refreshing to see interviews with screenwriter women.

[@filmcourage]

Cheers Rachel, you may also enjoy this playlist - bit.ly/3ss8wtt

[@ComicPower]

I can listen to her all day. I need to go through a workshop she leads

[@renegademax]

I've written in different genres, had films made in different genres in the indie and studio world, but Ms Johnson is 100% correct.

[@ajtaylor8750]

I agree but to an extent. When you're first starting off as a screenwriter, you want to market yourself as someone who can write a particular genre very well in order for executives to want to give you more assignments. However, as you establish yourself in the industry, being versatile in terms of style and tone can give you much needed longevity, so being able to write multiple genres is a skill I would advise all screnwriters to have. *Currently, my specialty is Sci-Fi and horror, but I also write action, thriller, and comdy scripts because it'll give me more accessibility to work for hire and more opportunities down the line.*

[@C.Church]

You dont agree to an extent. You agree completely. Listen to the video. 3:32 She even uses Shonda Rhimes as an example.

[@Hoodfilms]

She is so smart. Great info. Thank you! 🎬

[@filmcourage]

Thanks for watching this video!

[@lucidwindowsstudio]

Simply, tell the stories closest to your heart, stories you feel compelled to share. You may not be able to master every genre, but always remember that a great story works in every genre. We do not need to bend the great story to the genre, but rather, genre to the story. My opinion anyway.

[@thestray]

Sure, but she's not talking about what you should write or be interested in, she's talking about how to market yourself so you get an actual job.

[@lucidwindowsstudio]

@@thestray No. Again. You don't write that way. That's not how you get an authentic voice. You do not bend the story and force it to be a genre. This is why Hollywood has become bankrupt creatively and have been regurgitating stuff from the past.

[@Fidel_Cashflow00]

Guillermo del Toro is a Horror filmmaker by Heart but his most successful films are Pans Labyrinth and The Shape of Water (both Oscar winners) were a mix of multiple genres. His first film Cronos was a Drama Horror film. It seems this whole pick one thing is very limiting considering our favorite films blur those lines.

[@novelenterprise]

Ya but he's more a director than a writer

[@Fidel_Cashflow00]

maurice wright he wrote the screenplay for all of his movies.

[@novelenterprise]

@@Fidel_Cashflow00 I know I was just saying his direction stands out way more than his writing. But regardless of his genre mixing ALL his movies deal with monsters, so LITERALLY ALL his movie are in 1 lane only

[@Fidel_Cashflow00]

maurice wright what lane? He might have characters that are monsters but they don’t fall into the same category. Hell Boy was Totally different than Pans Labyrinth. Shape of Water totally different than the others. His upcoming pichnochio feature will be another flavor. All his films have his footprint but they are diff. For example SAW is horror. No doubt. Del Toros films aren’t as easy to box in.

[@novelenterprise]

@@Fidel_Cashflow00 I'm not saying they're boxed in or the same. The question she asked was should u pick 1 genre, BUT, her response wasnt specifically about genre, she said " pick a lane" . She uses examples from genre to make her point tho. let's take a hypothetical... if del toro was a 1st time filmmaker and he had ever script prewritten from devil's backbone to the shape of water, how would he sell them. He would not sell himself on the idea of making films in the horror genre, but he could sell himself on the idea of making monster films, some can be funny, some romantic, some scary, but all of them about monsters, HENCE, 1 LANE (the caps isnt meant to be telling, just emphasis) and I would bet money that his Pinnochio movie will have him. Viewed as a monster or he will be facing off against a monster in the story.

[@Wordsley]

These Rock!

[@rogersjgregory]

I tend to gravitate toward thrillers, because those are the stories that I love and find the most engaging. But how do I know if an exec will view it as a thriller and not a horror, as my stories are graphic?

[@JuanitaNelsonCombs]

But I am a master of several things I can write across genres Started in Creative Writing So I will think of this very seriously because your point is valid but dang that sucks bc you could get stuck 😢

[@victorallencook7107]

A month later I'll be yelling "get out ! !" 😲

[@jonathangriffin8060]

I wonder if this also works for independent filmmakers who want to make the films that they want to make. I want to write and make those kinds of films to prove that I can work in Hollywood and make studio movies. I want to make the studios want to hire me for a studio movie based on my work making indie films.

[@VincentPaterno-hs2fv]

This makes sense. Chuck Lorre didn't earn his rep writing dramas.

[@miltongeronimo7506]

❤❤❤❤❤⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐love this person,

[@danbee998]

Pick two genres: a first choice you want to build a career on; a contingency plan if your first choice doesn't work out. I will focus on fantasy with adventure undertones as my primary. I am developing horror projects as a contingency plan if my primary focus doesn't pan out. It's easier to get in with horror than fantasy, so I will focus on both.

[@andymason2457]

I think this applies mostly for people who wanna get a solid jobs as screenwriters but for people like me who have that risky but rewarding dream of writing their own stories hoping to get them eventually produced and be part of them like acting in them then the story would be a little bit different.

[@JenamDrag0n]

So you'd have to develop your skills as a storyteller and performer (unless you just appear as a cameo in the background), and be able to successfully pitch the idea to a producer unless you're also doing the producing. It may be doable, but I hope you're prepared for LOTS of long, hard work if that's your ideal.

[@BlindedBraille]

I feel like this somewhat bad advice given that the market has changed so much. Screenwriter should worry about three things imo, 1) the story; 2) who their audience is; and 3) the budget. If you pigeon hole yourself into one genre then you might have a problem reaching a certain audience. For example, comedies have been on the decline at the box office due to the international market, so writing a straight comedy may lead to some pitfalls to getting your movie seen by an international market. But streaming services like Netflix and Amazon are looking for niche content. They have algorithms that can predict audiences' taste. The business is getting harder for screenwriter and it's best to stand out by merge genres and doing something to stand out then making the cookie cutter 90s spec script to sell.

[@TheMiist]

The sociopolitical environment has also killed comedies 😕

[@BlindedBraille]

@@TheMiist Nah that's starting to change. Give it sometime.

[@TheMiist]

@@BlindedBraille you think? I'm not seeing it.

[@BlindedBraille]

@@TheMiist No I agree with you. But trust me give like three or four years.

[@C.Church]

Did you actually watch the video?

[@jayv8068]

By the way, you keep re-releasing very old videos into smaller ones?

[@JackHoltBBV]

Is Dramedy considered one genre? 🤔

[@C.Church]

Last line of the video: "If you don't come in with your own label, they'll give you one."

[@JackHoltBBV]

C Ch cool cuz I write supernatural dramatic comedy lol

[@C.Church]

@@JackHoltBBV lol I'd watch that.

[@JackHoltBBV]

C Ch Good, because I’m so serious lol

[@C.Church]

@@JackHoltBBV You should see my Hulu watch list. It's all mostly horror and ghosts, then sci fi horror and drama. 🤣🤣🤣 I wish you great success cruz I want moar!

[@gopro_audio]

my genre is #Cleopatra and the #armyofCleopatra are my fans

[@BlackMita]

Comedy is the best label to use then, because a great story won't suffer being made funnier, and a mediocre any-other-genre is permitted if it gets a laugh. You can fail without shame, and 'transcend your genre' if you succeed. Checkmate, gatekeepers.

[@BRP]

WELL SAID (sci fi Writer 🙋🏽‍♂️)

[@alexclark9386]

Todd Phillips?

[@MiguelCruz-oz7km]

But if you look at Todd Phillips' career there was an evolution with distinct stepping stones. He started out in dick joke comedies. That's how he landed The Hangover. Once he became THE guy for that series he turned that into more of an action comedy series. Now with The Joker you can see the connective tissue. You can almost hear the studio heads saying, "Oh yeah this guy knows comedy. So clearly he can do something about a clown." And it only took him 20 years to get there.

[@shininglightindustries5428]

What if your genre doesnt seem to be widely accepted at festivals?

[@VicenteTorresAliasVits]

How could that happen?

[@shininglightindustries5428]

@@VicenteTorresAliasVits I specialize in hallmark style drama and it seems nowadays everyone just wants horror and suspense films. My latest is the best thing I've done so far and its 0 for 2 so far.

[@VicenteTorresAliasVits]

@@shininglightindustries5428 But Hallmark isn't the only style of drama.

[@C.Church]

Your script got made? Congrats. :) Why not shop it elsewhere? Get ut onto Hulu or Netfliix. Shop it to Hallmark.

[@shininglightindustries5428]

All short films right now. Cant get tje money for a feature

[@MegaMusicMuse]

That’s really sad; why limit artists? Creativity knows no bounds

[@paulzagoridis5785]

Because the odds are the writer is not brilliant at all of it, so they are even more probably not good at any of it. It's a gamble, and most long shots don't pay off.

[@MegaMusicMuse]

Paul Zagoridis If I wanted to work to a formula or stay in one lane though I would stay working a corporate job. Hollywood needs to change. This is why most films nowadays feel like they been done already.

[@paulzagoridis5785]

@@MegaMusicMuse More power to you. Artists should defy boundaries to surprise and delight/challenge the viewer. Note I didn't say "audience" because nobody owes an artist an audience. But an artist in need of a patron before creating art is now in the business of show. Business rules now take precedence. I met a wonderful stop-motion animator who spent 2 years making a 10 minute short. No investors, so they told the story they wanted.

[@MegaMusicMuse]

Paul Zagoridis Making your own art on your own dime is the best way.

[@Ruylopez778]

@@MegaMusicMuse "Hollywood needs to change." This interview is giving advice on how to break into Hollywood, not how to change the industry. And if consumers would actually spend money on original movies at the box office, Hollywood would not be so risk averse, but they don't, so they aren't.

[@jonathangriffin8060]

I am a lover of comedy. I also love to watch parody movies. Now, even though parody movies are movies that "parody" a movie franchise or a single movie, would the parody be considered a genre? I have written three parody movies and a parody short film. I am just wondering if the parody "genre" is still alive and well in the industry and if there are people willing to write these types of movies and be considered to write comedies.

[@VicenteTorresAliasVits]

Yes, parody is a sub-genre of comedy. The SCARY MOVIE/DATE MOVIE/EPIC MOVIE style of parody isn't really popular anymore, but other styles are.

[@jonathangriffin8060]

@@VicenteTorresAliasVits The reason for them not being made anymore is because of movies like DATE MOVIE, EPIC MOVIE, DISASTER MOVIE AND SUPERFAST 8 (which were bad, btw. The jokes were forced and they didn't even see the movies that were being parodied) written by Aaron Seltzer and Jason Friedberg, who were two of the six writers of the original SCARY MOVIE. I think they can still be made if they were written better. With the exception of the original SCARY MOVIE which raked in over $278 million on a $19 million dollar budget. I think they can still be made if they were written better.

[@jonathangriffin8060]

@@VicenteTorresAliasVits I found a video on KZbin that may help you see what I am talking about. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpuWi4J8a6Zmg68

[@VicenteTorresAliasVits]

@@jonathangriffin8060 I've seen that video... and I love it! In that case... Yes, there's a market for "real" parodies. DEADPOOL is probably the best example.

[@jonathangriffin8060]

@@VicenteTorresAliasVits I kinda like AIRPLANE and BLAZING SADDLES, and SPACEBALLS. i like the parody movies of the past. I have also written three parody movies of my own, btw.

[@bldcaveman2001]

Life lesson

[@andrewturner5044]

I know she's speaking truth, but the advice to stick with one genre is very irritating. If you are a good writer, you can be good in more than one genre. Her approach forces you to write a lot in one genre just to show that you are very good at it. As a result, you don't spend your time writing in the other genres that you like -- and stay weaker at them! You would have to write for years just to have lots of material in and develop your skills in different genres to keep your personal goal of working in multiple genres and take her advice!

[@victorallencook7107]

Versatile . .....

[@C.Church]

People have lots of arguments with this video for things she doesn't say. Makes me wonder if it's common American "You cant tell me what to do" insecure defensiveness? Or is it bias against the speaker? Or both? Because she doesn't say anything really much different from the white people on Film Courage. [Mike Brady voice] If you *both* disagree with the video and my comment makes you angry, well, maybe it's time for a gut check... And when you tattle, you're really tattling on yourself. Edit: Or just admit you argued with the video title without watching the video.

[@victorallencook7107]

👍

[@futurestoryteller]

Let's sit here and contemplate what "lane" Noah Hawley is in....

[@user-uv6ri]

I disagree.

[@C.Church]

With what part?