Genre - The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

 

First off, I'm very new to screen writing, but I'm definitely up for the challenge. Good Luck to everyone and I want to thank everyone for the posts I've been reading. Your insight and advice has been incredibly helpful for me.

 

Anyway, I have a question on the whole "genre" thing.

 

Say, for instance, you get a genre that you don't like (I'll randomly throw out Fairy Tale). Can't you have certain elements in the script that make it a bit more palatable to your own tastes and, for example, throw in some darker aspects to it? I mean, horror stories have comedic elements just as romantic comedies can have a darker element to them. I guess what I'm asking is how rigid does your story need to be in order to still be considered within your assigned genre?

 

Thanks in advance,

Toby

 

By the way, I enjoyed both of your stories from last year.

 

If you don't mind my asking, for the Toaster story, did you research the information on quantum mechanics/Einstein before writing about it?

 

Toby

 

Here is what I learned from both rounds last year. Stay to the middle ground of your genre. Define its essential elements and build your story around them. Don't give the judges an excuse to eliminate your script from contention by steering outside your genre.

 

And most importantly, make the subject the central element of your story. Your story should revolve and evolve around your subject. Don't simply use it as a set piece or secondary prop; another easy weed-out for the judges.

 

Hope this helps.