Producer / Director Typecasting

[tleisher]

So a little background about me...I want to Produce-Direct-Write Comedy / Family / Animated / Action films.

Like Barry Sonnenfeld, Judd Apatow, Adam McKay, Tim Burton, etc...

The problem is, I've recently optioned a really great drama script, and I'm in development on it (The reason I optioned a drama script is because, at the time, I wasn't sure what Genre I wanted to go into and this script was too good to pass up)... the only thing though, is that its nothing for my comedy career... I don't want a rep for doing dramas... I want a rep for doing comedies...

This is the first feature film I'm going to have my name on as Producer. Do I want that, or should I put this on the back burner and have my first feature be a comedy one? Should I just exec produce this film, or co-produce it with a drama producer?

Does the rep matter or am I over thinking this? Will having my first feature film be a drama help or hinder my career, or will it not effect it at all?

 

[Batutta]

So a little background about me...I want to Produce-Direct-Write Comedy / Family / Animated / Action films.

Like Barry Sonnenfeld, Judd Apatow, Adam McKay, Tim Burton, etc...

The problem is, I've recently optioned a really great drama script, and I'm in development on it (The reason I optioned a drama script is because, at the time, I wasn't sure what Genre I wanted to go into and this script was too good to pass up)... the only thing though, is that its nothing for my comedy career... I don't want a rep for doing dramas... I want a rep for doing comedies...

This is the first feature film I'm going to have my name on as Producer. Do I want that, or should I put this on the back burner and have my first feature be a comedy one? Should I just exec produce this film, or co-produce it with a drama producer?

Does the rep matter or am I over thinking this? Will having my first feature film be a drama help or hinder my career, or will it not effect it at all?

I'd just direct it. Dramas are easier to pull off than comedies and for your first film you want any advantage you can get. I don't see much risk unless the film turns out brilliant and a wins every award form here to Sundance. Then, you might get typecast by the suits. But more likely your first film will just be a stepping stone for your next film. If you want you can insert some humor into the script. Hell, even Schindler's List has a few laughs.

 

[Cheesesailor77]

work with whatever you're passionate about. If you're passionate about this script, work on it regardless of genre. If you're not passionate about it, but just acknowledge that it's "well written", pass and find what you really want to be doing.

that's my advice.