Screenwriting : Is Gothic Horror Dead? by Ryan Avery

I'm sure the genre waxes and wanes. I don't follow it closely enough to say what state the genre is in at the moment, but it seems to there will always be a place for gothic horror. I think it's going to be, like with most well known genres, mostly a matter of quality and originality.

If it's a great script, someone will want to make it. Don't worry about what's trending now because by the time the trend-chasing script is ready, the trend will be done.

It's a good idea not to chase trends, for they all cycle, like the super hero genre is now, so write what interests you.

It's bound to make a comeback. Write what you want. My haunted house novel is doing well just when I was told ghost stories are over.

Gothic horror is pretty timeless. Due for a renaissance at some point soon imo!

By what metric would you measure your time as being well spent?

It could be your big ticket to fame Ryan Avery if no one is writing this...

I wouldn't chase trends - what is popular now is not a good indicator for what will be popular by the time a script has been developed and a product has been produced

Agree with Adam Harper. Follow your own instincts and finish that story. Don't follow the market.

It all depends on what your marketing strategy is. If the plan is to target niche producers and try to get into a space that's small but low in competition, then it makes sense. I write pulpy material and there's next to no interest in that right now, but it means I can be a bigger fish in a small pond.

On an artistic level, it's critical to lean into where your voice and inspiration lends itself. This is a marathon and you need to slowly build a reputation in a genre/style that fulfils you. Just because something is popular or lucrative right now does not mean you will be happy fitting yourself into it.

Trends are a distraction to those trying to break in anyway, as few of us are aware of what the market is demanding at a development level. By the time the productions are released, and people are cottoning onto a fad, they're two years behind not only the initial demand, but all the other writers who caught wind of it because they're closer to where the action is. Ten years ago, everyone was writing zombie and vampire movies or trying to pitch the next LOST. In another six months, there'll be a glut of Barbie knockoffs circulating, rather than superhero concepts with franchise potential.

You need writing samples to show peers & employers. My guy used a sample tv pilot and was accepted to a paid fellowship and all the ideas & themes & whatever voice/message he was saying in the pilot, he is doing it as a staff tv writer.

Horror is perennially in demand, but only when the budget is reasonable. Especially if you're setting it in Victorian period, for example, be very conscious of budget, which rests on 1. size of your cast, 2. number of locations and whether they're reused throughout the series, 3. number of scenes, 4. having a multitude of other extra expensive stuff such as extras, creatures, animatronics, special effects, visual effects, stunts, chases, explosions, guns, water and especially children. Finding a fresh, unique world (so not Victorian London) would be huge in terms of marketability.

I would argue that a fresh, innovative, and unique voice is ALWAYS welcome to Storytelling. What would be interesting if you wrote the first draft as a Gothic Horror, and changed genres in subsequent drafts. That would be something to see Ryan!!!!

Purely economics. Niche genre. Expensive due to costumes and locations. Costume and period piece movies are more expensive and the niche genre doesn’t play to a broad audience. The Pale Blue Eye is a recent movie that’s on Netflix now. Hard to get these made.