Who Likes to Stick to Just One Genre?

Brian Parker

Brian Parker

Well-known member
Hey guys. Just wondering which directors out there stick to doing only one genre of film, whether the choice is conscious or not. If so, what is it and why?

I find myself gravitating towards crime drama films often but I don't want to limit myself. I know it's worked for some directors (i.e. Hitchcock and thrillers) so I was just curious about where everybody stands on the whole thing.
 
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i like crime drama too, but as of recently i've been experimenting with comedy as far as writing and directing. i think i'll keep experimenting until i find my niche.
 
At a recent party I was asked "what my genre is", as if film makers are limited to one. lol

Probably a few more years of film making and I might see a genre pattern, but as of yet I haven't been leaning towards one.
 
I would say I prefer drama, but also like my action. All my stories tend to combine the two. Comedy is not my thing. I cant even wrap my brain around the concept of making a comedy.
 
I'm not sure... I think I lean a little towards comedy and drama (strange mix I know... ) I really can't direct horrors or thrillers... and I need to improve so much on action!!!!
 
thanks for the feedback...I know how you feel GageFX. I would like to do some comedy stories but then I hesitate because I feel like comedy is the hardest to do.
 
At this stage I'm not sure! I really like dark films, horror films. thrillers, psychological dramas, stuff like that. Having said that, I love adventure films and comedies as well and think I'd have a lot of fun making them, so really a mixed bag here. Haven't made enough films yet to really comment but that's where my interest lies! I think it would be great to be able to make like a really tense thriller and then do a comedy.

Chris
 
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Although some of my favorite directors generally stick to one genre (Brian De Palma, John Carpenter)....I actually enjoy and admire directors who dabble in many genres (and are good at it) -- like Howard Hawks, Billy Wilder....and more recently Marc Forster, the Coen Brothers, Danny Boyle....even Woody Allen.

I hope that my career allows me to tackle all the stories I want to explore -- which definitely fall under different categories. In fact, I have a laundry list of genres that I'd like to take a stab at.

Here are two feature films that I've recently completed (and are in post) that fall under 2 totally different genres:

NEW YORK LATELY - drama - www.nylatelymovie.com
DISMAL - horror - www.fearmakersdismal.com

I've also got a few shorts that fall under the crime/gangster (FAVORS) and comedy (HUBRIS) realm....for convenience, all the trailers are on my main website:

www.kitchentablefilms.com

I would love to be able to work as a filmmaker who can easily slip from genre to genre and still create strong work. That would be the ideal situation.
 
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Like everyone above me, I dabble in a little bit of everything, but I mainly like doing Dramas. And I've been afraid to tackle a comedy because like others mention and know, are usually tough to pull off for various reasons.

But One Genre I would love to tackle and I haven't done yet and don't know how I would approach it because a script or idea never crossed my mind is Horror. I respect a good Horror film, and I hope I can do the genre justice some day.

But like Ktfilms mention, I would love to be able to slip from different genres and be strong at which ever one I happen to be doing at the moment.

I think it’s gonna be hard to get a straight answer from any members on this board because we all still in our experimental stage (at least I am).

But if I had to choose to do one genre, give me Drama. Nothing gets deep into the audience soul then a good Drama told well with some captivating dialogue and performances.
 
I mainly do dramas because that what my budgets allow: 0$. Every once in awhile, I drift into comedies, but it's been awhile since I've done them. I do try to include some comedy elements in all my work, especially if the piece is serious.

Right now, I'm trying to do some action, mainly because I've never done it before.

Like everyone, I hope I'll be able to try my hand at every genre.
 
So far: 1 comedy, 1 Romantic Comedy, 1 Drama

I had plans to do a horror film.

But I really want to do action, sci-fi and fantasy
 
ktfilms said:
Although some of my favorite directors generally stick to one genre (Brian De Palma, John Carpenter)....I actually enjoy and admire directors who dabble in many genres (and are good at it) -- like Howard Hawks, Billy Wilder....and more recently Marc Forster, the Coen Brothers, Danny Boyle....even Woody Allen.

I hope that my career allows me to tackle all the stories I want to explore -- which definitely fall under different categories. In fact, I have a laundry list of genres that that I'd like to take a stab at.

Here are two feature films that I've recently completed (and are in post) that fall under 2 totally different genres:

NEW YORK LATELY - drama - www.nylatelymovie.com
DISMAL - horror - www.fearmakersdismal.com

I've also got a few shorts that fall under the crime/gangster (FAVORS) and comedy (HUBRIS) realm....for convenience, all the trailers are on my main website:

www.kitchentablefilms.com

I would love to be able to work as a filmmaker who can easily slip from genre to genre and still create strong work. That would be the ideal situation.
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Just checked out NY Lately - WOW Impressive work. Great lighting and camera. Just wanted to say that. :)
 
Horror is something I'm just not interested in. I forgot about that. Nor Period Romantic.
 
i think my version of horror would end up being more along the lines of sixth sense/The Others type of supernatural thrillerisque.....i dont think i could do a child's play, nightmare on elm street, vampires/zombies type of horror.
 
I've only done drama. In the last two films (one i directed, the other i associate producer for.. both shorts). Working on my next one to be shot in september. drama of course.

But my first feature will hopefully be a thriller ;)
 
jls4 said:
Just checked out NY Lately - WOW Impressive work. Great lighting and camera. Just wanted to say that. :)
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Thanks for the kind words -- that means a lot. I'll let my DP know you said this. And it's shot on the HVX!! :)
 
how'd you get your film NY Lately on facebook? i thought you could only create first and last names and it woudlnt let you do pages for films or promos?
 
Mickey Munday said:
how'd you get your film NY Lately on facebook? i thought you could only create first and last names and it woudlnt let you do pages for films or promos?
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Go to the PAGE MANAGER application -- there should be a "Create a Page" command located there someplace....it lets you create a page under the "Film" category along with some other choices as well.

I've seen others use the "Groups" feature for film projects as well.

Good luck!!
 
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