Screenwriting : Guidelines on Using Gender Pronouns by Jacqueline Sandee Valle

Lol! Thanks Barry John! And thanks for the laugh! I’m in my head a lot, and I needed that!

Thank you so much for starting this incredibly important conversation, Jacqueline Sandee Valle! It is indeed a sensitive subject, and as such will attempt to choose my words carefully and with full consideration of the feelings of anyone who might read this.

First, I think the seed of the question isn't "it" versus "s/he" versus "they, but rather whether or not creatures should be personified (i.e. given the opportunity to have a gender identity). While there are certain decisions you can make as a writer ahead of time, I think leaving it open for the director to choose is incredibly valuable. It gives them the chance to have that discussion and determine how their audience will respond. "They" gives it both a gender-neutral approach and still allows for the opportunity to personify, or "give them character" as Aurore alluded to. "It" closes the door on that conversation.

Second, I think you did not ask this question to get "general" answers or how it's been done before, but rather to consider audiences and filmmakers are they are now. I love "Lethal Weapon", but please don't read it as a reference for how to address such subject matters (although I suppose "The Dark Crystal" would be a better example with creatures). I can tell you that contemporary creatives would be grateful for you even taking the time to ask this question. After working with teenagers, I can confirm - it's important to them, and a growing number of young adults in the industry (under 30 years old, and lots of them are hired to write for television because they can more easily relate to their audiences).

Third and finally, since we are discussing a sensitive topic, I would encourage all who are involved in this topic to consider how your tone affects others. This particular topic has come up for some only recently while others may have faced harassment by sharing "non-generic" opinions over the years, working up to making the topic common enough to discuss like this. Ignoring or dismissing their perspectives because it may seem confusing or difficult to change "what was" or "what has always been" is the antithesis of what we strive to do in this community. We are here to uplift, encourage, and grow. Please keep that in mind.

To be honest I’m sticking with the two standard genders for characters and monsters don’t get one... Unless you count giants, dragons, centaur, dwarves and elves as monsters... in which case I’ve already had a male giant and centaurs and both male and female dragons, elves, and dwarves... I think it’s up to you I’m not sure there is a correct way just don’t offend anyone in particular (unless you have a mean and/or evil character and/or scene to write)

Thanks, @Meg Stone! And what a great suggestion - link saved!

Wow! Thank you everyone for all of the thoughtful answers-and even the humorous ones. I do love the forthright and clever community here, and I am grateful for all of your thinking. And I really like the suggestion of a reference section for these types of discussions. For the record, this came about because of a script I had written for a game studio recently-they are very focused on being inclusive and modeling that language for their younger players. (Which I honored and made the appropriate edits.)

Since my writing is mainly for kids and families, I posted on a few other writing forums. And I heard from an editor through the Society of Children’s Book Writers who said to consider the audience, the type of story or script, and to write for that demographic. And another editor (who works at Yummly) said they now have to consider if an audience is global since grammar and sociolinguistics around gender can work differently in other languages and cultures. There doesn’t seem to be a consensus or one way to handle this, just advice to use common sense. But I am still curious if larger family-focused studios who produce fantasy content (like Nick or Disney) have any guidelines in place.

A lot to unpack for here-thanks again, everyone!

Jacqueline. The person who gave you feedback is full of crap. That is why I never get feedback:) I don’t believe there are rules for using pronouns. If there are I wouldn’t follow them anyway. One thing I do avoid is being redundant. For example: "She leaves her purse” I would write “Leaves her purse.” That is one of my pet peeves.

They/them pronouns are grammatically correct in the singular use (if you find a lost wallet, you'd say "Oops! Someone left their wallet" just fine) so don't let grammar be the hang up for you! The appropriate pronouns for your creature might depend on how humanoid it is, how well we know the monster, or just what kind of person the speaking MC is. It's great that your studio wants to be inclusive—but since there are human beings who use it/its pronouns as well, I would say in this instance you don't have to be worried. :) ---signed, a nonbinary person who uses they/them pronouns and does EDI consulting

If a pronoun is the only thing holding your script back “Well Done”. This is like a drunk looking for a fight. If I had a sexually ambiguous friend (I don’t know the term), I would be considerate to how they like to be addressed and referred to in conversation.

I would also not insult people in what I write. But this is a storm looking for a tea cup.

I'm a bit more concerned someone gave feedback like that. I'd run a mile, personally.

Thank you for your thoughtful response, Socks Whitmore!

I use "it" for monsters. Sometimes I use "he" or "she" if the monster looks human.

I think it depends on the one giving feedback and their preferences. Another feedback may say something totally different. In my story, I refer to my monsters as "it", but when I introduce their clan as individuals, I introduce each one as "he" or "she", where the gender fits. Hope that helps. Go with your gut!