The real trick to writing a script or novel that will sell is to know and use Hollywood’s central marketing strategy. And that can be summed up in one word: genres.
The key decision is: which genres should I use for this idea?
Instead of trying to copy a popular movie from the past, you need to find what is original in your story. I call this “finding the gold.”
In the entertainment business, the most important story strategy today is to mix genres. 99% of films made, not just in Hollywood but worldwide, are some combination of the 11 most popular genres.
That’s why Myth is found in more blockbusters than any other form by far.
The exception to the rule of using myth: if your story idea is not right for the myth form, don’t force it.
That’s why you should always add 1 or 2 other genres to modernize the Myth form and overcome its episodic quality.
Each genre has a pre-determined hero, opponent, desire line, thematic focus, and so on. This is why many writers combining genres end up with a structural mess.
When mixing genres, the key is to make one form the primary one.
Technique 7. If you’re writing a screenplay for an indie film, write Horror, Thriller, or Love.
The most important determinants of which genres you use for your indie film are: 1. which genres are best for your story idea and 2. which genres you are best at writing.
On screenwriting blogs I always see people say: “learn the rules so you can break the rules.” This is a classic example of a little knowledge being a dangerous thing. It’s also total nonsense.
That’s why the top genre writers twist the beats. In other words, they hit the beats in an original way. This is known as transcending the genre.
Transcending the genre is different for each form, because it depends on the story beats that are unique to each form.
There is 1 main technique for transcending that applies to all genres: combine the genre with drama.
Make the opponent human, not a villain. This means 1. he has weaknesses and 2. he is right about certain things.
I don’t know a single professional writer who has mastered more than 2 or 3 genres.
For those who are new to the Story Program: 1. Start with the Premise assignment.
2. Apply my comments to fix your premise, then go to Class 2 on the 7 Steps.
3. Continue to do the classes in order.
4. Be sure to hand in your work each month.
5. Try to apply my comments to your work as soon after the class as possible.
Assignment for next class IF YOU ARE WRITING SCENES FOR YOUR STORY: 1. write the next three scenes in the story where there is dialogue That means three scenes, not three chapters. Be sure to start by listing the premise in 1 line
Assignment for next class IF YOU ARE WRITING SCENES FOR YOUR STORY: 2. write your hero’s weakness in 1 line 3. write the endpoint of your hero’s character change, In other words, his or her self-revelation
IF YOUR STORY IS AT ANY OTHER STEP OF THE WRITING PROCESS 4. Important: state which assignment you are doing 5. follow the instructions for that month’s assignment Don’t hand in more than the assignment asks for.
IF YOUR STORY IS AT ANY OTHER STEP OF THE WRITING PROCESS 6. send in any question you have about story in general or about your story in particular
Remember: hand in only 1 assignment at a time.
Next class: Wednesday, October 17
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