The most common question I find in my inbox is, "What kind of screenplay should I be writing?" That question is always important to ask, but you're asking the wrong person. You should be asking yourself.
See, I know people asking me because they want to hear what genres are hot or bound to sell. But as I've said time and time again, chasing trends is a complete waste of time.
You need to write the movie you want to see on the big screen.
Let's dig into this concept.
Tell Your Story. Write Your Spec.
Toy Story
DisneyWriting a spec script is done to showcase your storytelling power. You're basically telling Hollywood the kind of writer you are and the kind of things you care about.
You should leave your heart and soul on the page.
When I sit down to write a new screenplay, I am actively thinking about what I care about in the world and the kinds of things I feel like have to be on the big screen.
Sure, I'll talk with my manager about what's marketable, but at the end of the day, the decision of what I'm going to write is based on what I care about the most.
Specs are hard; you're writing for free, coming up with every story beat, and relying on your own inspiration. It's easy to get stuck.
Even now, as a pro, I get stuck in them all the time.
But I rely on writing specs yearly because they often become my introductions to execs. They prove I can write different things and even allow me to explore different genres.
Here's a few other things writing the move you want to see will get you:
How Can I Write the Movie I Want to See?
I'm a huge believer in outlines, treatments, and beat sheets. You should be absolutely using these when brainstorming new ideas.
There's a few other things you can do to access this part of your brain and put forth your best work.
All in all, writing should be fun, not just work. If you spend your hours pursuing a project you love and believe in, it will turn out much better than chasing a trend or a theory of what "sells."
Let me know what you think in the comments.