Screenwriting : Which GENRE is best for your screenwriting? by Steven Harris Anzelowitz

I have written a lot of screenplays in a lot of different genres but I like crime stories the best and that is the genre I am probably best at. However, screenwriting is writing and I have written scripts in genres I didn't really care for.

The best genre is the one that sells.

Phillip: Hear! Hear!

I love horror and am working on my first feature in that genre but I find that writing comedy comes much easier to me, which was what my first two scripts (TV pilots) were. I'm thinking horror comedy is where I should be at lol.

I'm currently playing around with several genres, which people seem to say is a bad idea, but for me, the write what you know is less about genre and more about theme. My favorite movies and tv shows are all over the place as far as genre goes, so it makes sense that my writing is, too, since that's not what attracts me to something.

Phil, can't argue with that! I'm still in the stage of trying out new things. Naturally, some definitely come out better than others.

I think you got the question backwards. It's your storylines, concepts and style fit which genre best? And even that's not right because we almost always mix a little of this genre with a little of that genre to paint our story. I dabble in paranormal with some comedy thrown in, a touch of drama, all tied together with a suspense thread. But sometimes not.

Mostly I stay out of horror, action and sci-fi - an' I'll likely puke on the next zombie I see.

Doug, well that does it! I'm going to have to scrap my next script - The Three Stooges versus the Planet of Vegetarian Zombies.

I like many genre's

Good questions, comments and observations so far. Laura- Good point about staying in one GENRE. It is still show BUSINESS and as Phil pointed out the best is what sells. Keep the shares coming. We all can learn from each others experiences. Thank you.

Laura- I was only echoing what Phil had said about if it sells that's all.

Scifi. Because I love it.

Jenny. Best reason ever!

Comedy/drama because I love mixing the light side of humanity with the more darker emotions.

Same as Robert because of the absurdity in the world today. Truth is stranger then fiction.

Okay my turn. COMEDY. Why? Glad you asked. First of all always liked making people laugh. Second you grow up in Brooklyn and you are influenced by some heavy hitters: WOODY ALLEN, MEL BROOKS, NEIL SIMON. And last but not least it beats 20 years of telemarketing at CARNEGIE HALL!!

I write in all genres. I try to make them all consistent. But I probably enjoy writing comedy the most.

It's out of fashion, but film noir.

I like creating a universe of seemingly pessimistic and chaotic actions and people capable of random violence from which all is revealed at the end.

But- I find creating anti-heros hard.

As a former standup comedian, I definitely gravitate towards comedy. However, my first screenplay, turned out to be a dramedy. The characters decided that's the way it was going to be and who was I to argue? ;)

I agree Laura but a think the problem from most of the bad comedy scripts I've read is the comedy must also follow who you are. For example - I have a very dry sarcastic humor taste. As I result my best comedy comes in the form of dark dramedies. (my last two scripts. If I try and write something like wedding crashers or girls night out - I wouldn't be funny.

I write awesome comedy. You must have a great concept and a title that attracts the people. Hence KUNG FU CONGRESSMAN tells the story in the title. It won First Place at WIND INTERNATIONAL

One you enjoy most.