Pigeonholing screenwriters

To “pigeonhole” per Wikipedia:

Pigeonholing is a term used to describe processes that attempt to classify disparate entities into a small number of categories (usually, mutually exclusive ones).

The expression usually carries connotations of criticism, implying that the classification scheme referred to inadequately reflects the entities being sorted, or that it is based on stereotypes.

Common failings of pigeonholing schemes include:

• Categories are poorly defined (often because they are subjective).
• Entities may be suited to more than one category. Example: rhubarb is both ‘poisonous’ and ‘edible’.
• Entities may not fit into any available category. Example: asking somebody from Washington, DC which state they live in.
• Entities may change over time, so they no longer fit the category in which they have been placed. Example: certain species of fish may change from male to female during their life.
• Attempting to discretize properties that would be better viewed as a continuum. Example: attempting to sort people into ‘introverted’ and ‘extroverted’.
• Criteria used to categorize entities do not accurately predict the properties ascribed to those categories. Example: relying on astrological sign as a guide to someone’s personality.

To pigeonhole per Hwood: Whatever genre a writer writes, that’s what they write.

If you sell a comedy spec script, you will be sent around town as a comedy writer.
Your name will be put on a writer’s list under “comedy.”
Your agent will put you up for comedy assignments.
If you tell your agent you’re interesting in writing action or drama…
they’ll most likely smile, nod their head, then change the subject.

Why?

Several reasons.

First, Hwood is the home of “Short Attention Span Theater.”
If a studio has a need on a comedy project, they don’t have time for nuance.
Pull out the comedy writers’ list and find me someone! NOW!

Second, agents (10%) and managers (15%) get paid a percentage of what you make.
And it’s much easier to sell you in the genre you’re already known for.

Third, most writers are happy to work in the same genre.
They know what they do best…
And by doing that, they maximize their chances of landing gigs, making money, and extending their writing career.

So it’s something to think about as you choose the concept for your next spec script.
Is this a genre you will feel comfortable being pigeonholed in?

Because you will be pigeonholed.

That said, I now present to you living proof that it is possible for a working screenwriter to break out of their pigeonhole. Per Film News Briefs:

• Evan Spiliotopoulos, co-writer of “Pooh’s Heffalump Movie” and its DVD Halloween spinoff, has been hired to write Universal’s action sequel “Wanted 2,” based on a story by Chris Morgan. Like the original 2008 film, the in-development sequel is based on the comic series created by Mark Millar and J.G. Jones. Marc E. Platt and Jim Lemley are producing with Timur Bekmambetov, who directed the first film and is attached to helm the sequel.

Moving from Pooh’s Heffalump Movie and that movie’s Halloween spinoff…
to Wanted 2?!?!

[Insert Scooby-Do head-shake harumph here]

Talk about switching genres!
From pre-school children’s movies to hard action films.

So while pigeonholing still goes in Hwood…
You have Mr. Spiliotopoulos as living proof that it is possible to break free.

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