Crossing Genres?

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  • Crossing Genres?

    Just a quick question.

    If a writer is accustomed to writing in a particular genre, what would the response be if they were to turn in something completely different to their rep?

    Say a writer ‘does’ sci-fi and then they turn in a spec which is a family comedy, how would people normally respond to that? Just wondered beccause I kinda got the impression it’s best to stick with a specific genre and make a name as a genre writer to get gigs?….

    If anyone has been in this situation, I'd love to hear more. Feel free to PM!

    Twitter @sjgrierson
    https://twitter.com/sjgrierson

  • #2
    Re: Crossing Genres?

    I always run the concept I'm considering spec'ing out by my reps first before starting in on a script, this way I know going in they're onboard with the general idea pending my executing on the page.

    I think (especially when trying to launch a new writer) a lot of reps like to establish the writer's "brand" in a particular genre.
    "I hate to break it to you but there is no big lie. There is no system. The universe is indifferent.- - Don Draper

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    • #3
      Re: Crossing Genres?

      I would think an agent might possibly be resistent if he/she doesn't handle sci-fi, for instance, and was suddenly confronted with one from you unexpectedly.

      But, wouldn't it be the script itself being the most important? if it's good it should stand on it's own. IMHO.

      As a noob, I'd hate to think a writer gets labeled like that because I'm currently grinding it out with two comedies and one spectacular sci-fi drama. I'm neither a sci-fi writer nor a comedy writer, per se. I'd really like to be known just as a writer. Isn't that possible? My Dad was a jack-of-all- trades and did well enough to raise six kids. I'd like to be a jack-of all-genres.

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      • #4
        Re: Crossing Genres?

        My reps hate it. Makes it harder to build momentum when you keep starting over. People like to turn to "the guy who does____." They don't like "the guy who did______but is now doing______."

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        • #5
          Re: Crossing Genres?

          But what if you're the guy who can do this AND that. Wouldn't that work in your favor? Wouldn't that open you up to more assignments? Most good scripts have several different elements to them, if you can write dialogue AND action, if you can do comedy AND drama, I should think that would be a good thing. As opposed to, oh no, I can't offer my client up for this job, you see he's very talented when it comes to writing about the living dead, but beyond that I'm afraid he just won't do.

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          • #6
            Re: Crossing Genres?

            If a writer is accustomed to writing in a particular genre, what would the response be if they were to turn in something completely different to their rep?
            I always run the concept I'm considering spec'ing out by my reps first before starting in on a script
            Sounds like good advice to me. Talk to your rep. Let them know you've got another killer script on the way ...

            ... and if they don't like the idea of you working in a different genre, then tell them to get you more assignments in the one that they do like! That way you'll be so busy doing stuff they like, you won't have time to write this killer script

            I know this may seem rather hard-line, but don't forget, your rep works for you. You pay them, not the other way round.

            Yes, I know it's a two-way street and yes, I know it's not as simple as that, but that is the basic truth (although sometimes you wouldn't think it).

            Also, bear in mind humans do what's easy, not what's right:
            1. It's far easier to sell the same thing twice than it is to keep selling something different every time, because you know that worked the first time - so you get tied in to writing the same gnere.
            2. When people need something fast, they tend to go with who they know can deliver - so you get tied in to writing the same genre.
            3. If your rep doesn't readily know where to sell something you have, that's going to be hard work for your rep, so he/she is going to have to do a bit of homework and most people don't like doing that - so you get tied in to writing the same genre.
            And there's nothing wrong with that situation as long as both sides are happy with it ...

            ... just try to avoid a situation where someone who works for you can tell you what you can't do just because it makes his or her job easier!

            But hey, it's not as if you're saying to your rep that you don't want to write in that original genre any more, you just want to write another killer script that could earn you both a few $$$.

            So my advice would be to run it past them and say that you are going to write it in the downtime whilst you're waiting for your next assignment ...

            ... unless, of course, your rep can guarentee that if you were to write another script in the original genre that he or she could sell it.

            And a quick question in response to your's:

            Do you know for certain that your rep isn't keen for you to write in another genre?

            If not, just ask.

            Hope that helps,

            Mat.
            (forgive the spelling, I'm British )
            I'm a product of everything I've ever experienced ... I need to get out more!

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            • #7
              Re: Crossing Genres?

              Yeah, but I deplore being pidgeon holed. My interests in life range far and wide and I had expected my writing will be much the same. And, it is.

              I can't understand why any agent worth his salt couldn't handle a different script from one of his clients, especially one who's already gained credits, simply because it's in another genre. Of course I don't know. Could be some agents may consciously pidgeon hole themselves into a specific genre or two and shy against others. If that's the case then is it possible to find an agent a little more open minded? Do they exist?

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              • #8
                Re: Crossing Genres?

                Don't blame the agent. Most of them have a pretty diverse roster of clients. I know my agent does.

                I think what it comes down to is they signed you because you did a certain thing in script A....you've presented yourself as "the crime drama guy" for example with script A and the agent has responded...they've called all of their contacts and said, "you have to read this great new crime voice."

                And all their contacts have read you and many have said, "I'm intrigued. I want to meet him. I have some crime projects coming up I'd consider him for."

                And you've met with them and now you're on their list when it comes to crime dramas. That's a tough list to get on - you and your agent have worked hard to get you on it.

                NOW, you're going to your agent and handing in a romantic comedy? By doing this -- since you're only as good as your last script in this business -- you're not only undoing some (if not all) of the work they've done to get you on the crime drama list, you're potentially damaging your overall standing with your agent. You got signed because of your crime drama. They called all of their contacts and said, "I got this great new crime drama guy you MUST read!" Now you expect them to call all those people back and say, "you know that crime drama guy? well guess what - he's doing rom coms now. adjust your lists accordingly."

                You're sort of making your agent look like a moron in front of his contacts. They know it's his job to guide you toward the next great crime drama. You're also asking him to essentially erase all of the work he did to establish you as the crime drama guy and go back to square one. Of course they're not gonna dig that. They shouldn't. It's dumb. You're not Akiva Goldsman. Maybe you will be someday but you ain't there yet. You're an emerging writer looking to establish yourself. Come back to your romcom when you're more established and have a true foothold in the industry.

                I know from experience and I'm lucky I still have an agent. He spelled out all of the above for me.

                Do what you want, though.

                This mentality and the "I'm not interested in assignments. I only want to write specs" mentality are the most baffling to me in terms of emerging writers.

                The coffee is brewing people. Wake up and take a whiff.
                "I hate to break it to you but there is no big lie. There is no system. The universe is indifferent.- - Don Draper

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                • #9
                  Re: Crossing Genres?

                  I like to write in a diverse range of genres too... but I'm also a realist.

                  From all that I've heard, it's best to stick to one genre at the beginning of your career-- for all the reasons pointed out.

                  I kind of jumped around from genre to genre for yrs. Now I've settled on action/fantasy/thriller. There's a diversity there. I find there are several types of movies that I can apply the action & fantasy elements to.

                  David Goyer would be a good example of a writer who writes in related genres-- horror, comic book, action, fantasy, etc.


                  "Trust your stuff." -- Dave Righetti, Pitching Coach

                  ( Formerly "stvnlra" )

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                  • #10
                    Re: Crossing Genres?

                    If you have strong writing samples in several genres, I don't understand why that would work against you professionally.

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                    • #11
                      Re: Crossing Genres?

                      How comfortable would you be going to a surgeon who also works as a travel agent and a toll booth operator? He might be great at all three, but people feel safer hiring a specialist. Having great samples in several genres won't hurt you, but when you're trying to build a career and establish a professional identity, it can help to focus your efforts. Being pigeonholed is a high-class problem.

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                      • #12
                        Re: Crossing Genres?

                        Originally posted by Rantanplan View Post
                        If you have strong writing samples in several genres, I don't understand why that would work against you professionally.
                        It wouldn't*, in and of itself, as long as you can 'brand' yourself in another way.

                        If you can be branded as, say, the guy who writes strong, memorable female leads, or the guy who breaks long complicated novels, or the girl who can write great banter, it matters less that you stick to one genre.

                        Jessica Bendinger said she branded herself as the 'go-to greelight girl'.



                        *ETA: But see grant's excellent point below.
                        Last edited by Hasil Adkins; 01-10-2010, 01:39 PM.
                        ==========

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                        • #13
                          Re: Crossing Genres?

                          Originally posted by Rantanplan View Post
                          If you have strong writing samples in several genres, I don't understand why that would work against you professionally.
                          It's already been explained, but suppose your script gets you some heat with BRUCKHEIMER FILMS or MERCHANT-IVORY or APATOW PRODUCTIONS. Not enough for them to buy it. Not enough for them to automatically hire you on assignment. But enough that they want to know more about you. They're going to ask, "What else do you have?" Are you going to send Bruckheimer a raunchy comedy? Merchant Ivory a film about space pirates? Apatow Productions a script on the life and times of Alan Turing?

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                          • #14
                            Re: Crossing Genres?

                            How comfortable would you be going to a surgeon who also works as a travel agent and a toll booth operator?
                            I think that's stretching it a bit. I mean, it's not as if SJ is saying he/she wants to be the next Potus! Besides, surgeons have to become proficient at being junior surgeons in all manner of areas before they become a specialist surgeon.

                            your script gets you some heat with BRUCKHEIMER FILMS or MERCHANT-IVORY or APATOW PRODUCTIONS. Not enough for them to buy it. Not enough for them to automatically hire you on assignment. But enough that they want to know more about you.
                            Absolutely. You'd be mad to not follow up on that.

                            I think what it comes down to is they signed you because you did a certain thing in script A....you've presented yourself as "the crime drama guy" for example with script A and the agent has responded...they've called all of their contacts and said, "you have to read this great new crime voice."

                            And all their contacts have read you and many have said, "I'm intrigued. I want to meet him. I have some crime projects coming up I'd consider him for."

                            And you've met with them and now you're on their list when it comes to crime dramas. That's a tough list to get on - you and your agent have worked hard to get you on it.
                            Again, absolutely. You'd be even madder not to follow up on that.

                            But I don't think that is the situation that SJ is referring to. I could be wrong, though.

                            And what happens if no-one calls back for the 'crime drama guy'? What then?

                            At least in the meantime he/she has written another script in a different genre, so if the 'crime drama guy' angle doesn't work out, the rep can then hit his/her contacts with "You should see what this guy can write now!" Which in truth, may well be different contacts.

                            Don't get me wrong, I do agree with Grant's and Joe's 'quotes' above - if that is the situation.

                            But hey, SJ, as Joe says at the very start, just ask your rep. After all, you asked them to rep you for a reason.

                            Best,

                            Mat.
                            I'm a product of everything I've ever experienced ... I need to get out more!

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Crossing Genres?

                              Originally posted by grant View Post
                              It's already been explained, but suppose your script gets you some heat with BRUCKHEIMER FILMS or MERCHANT-IVORY or APATOW PRODUCTIONS. Not enough for them to buy it. Not enough for them to automatically hire you on assignment. But enough that they want to know more about you. They're going to ask, "What else do you have?" Are you going to send Bruckheimer a raunchy comedy? Merchant Ivory a film about space pirates? Apatow Productions a script on the life and times of Alan Turing?
                              This presupposes that you only have the original script that got you heat and now this other one in a different genre. Most people advise you to have three before you start querying.

                              So maybe the advice should be have three in one genre. Once you have those I don't see a problem in writing in another genre. If your first one gets heat you have two more and if two sell you still have the third and by that time you might have three in another genre so if one of those gets heat you have two more to show them in that "new" genre.

                              If you're writing is great, it's never a bad thing to have diversity. It may be bad if you stuff is only minimally good.

                              No one that is making money off of you is going to tell you to stop doing what makes them money but when your creativity gets stifled, they'll all just walk away because you "lost it".

                              Last night in San Pedro

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