Writing What Sells: The 5 Film Genres Buyers Are Looking For Right Now
Summary
Learn from a TOP studio story analyst who evaluates scripts for Amazon and Netflix and knows exactly what buyers are looking for right now!
Receive a top 5 genres cheat sheet to reference!
PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 webinar is now available to watch on-demand and no longer live.
The writers getting read, signed, and produced right now aren't just talented. They're strategic. They understand what buyers want, and they write to meet that demand without sacrificing their voice. The good news is that this is a learnable skill, and once you have it, everything changes.
The truth is that a great script and a marketable script are not mutually exclusive. When you understand what buyers are actively looking for, you can align your creativity with real commercial demand and write something that is both artistically compelling and impossible to pass on. This webinar shows you exactly how to do that and reveals the 5 genres consistently getting attention, generating heat, and closing deals right now.
Many writers feel pulled toward passion projects that don't have obvious market placement, or resist genre because it feels limiting. There's also a common belief that commercial storytelling sacrifices originality, when in reality clarity and strategy can actually amplify your voice. Once you understand who you're writing for and how to position your work, you stop guessing and start writing with real confidence and purpose.
Your guide is Michael Schulman, Story Analyst at Amazon Studios, with a direct line to what gets developed and what doesn't. He's worked inside Netflix's Original Independent Film division, Barry Mendel Productions, and alongside Michael Mann on projects connected to Rushmore, The Sixth Sense, Munich, Ali, and The Aviator. He knows exactly what makes a buyer stop and say "I know what to do with this," and he's here to share that knowledge with you.
In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, you'll learn why genre is one of the most powerful tools a writer has. You'll explore the 5 genres buyers are actively seeking, study the outliers that break the rules and still sell, learn how to write roles that attract talent, and review real case studies of what's closing deals today. By the end, you'll walk away with a clear strategy to write a script that gets read, gets championed, and gets bought.
PLUS! You will receive this handout to help you:
-
Top 5 Genres cheat sheet
Praise for Michael's Education:
"Michael was highly competent, extremely knowledgeable about his subject, and not afraid to share hard truths about the industry that many just won't be upfront about." - Lee T.
"I loved Michaels honestly. His advice is invaluable." - Linda R.
"Michael did not sugarcoat anything. He gave honest information that clarified a lot of questions I had." -Nikki J.
What You'll Learn
-
Why Genre Matters – The Difference Between Scripts That Get Read And Scripts That Get Moved!
-
Who You’re Writing For – Understanding The Readers, Assistants, And Executives Shaping The First Impression Of Your wWrk.
-
The 5 Film Genres Buyers Want Now – Breaking Down Proven Lanes That Consistently Sell And Why
-
Outliers That Work – When Clarity And Marketability Trump Convention.
-
Maximizing Regardless Of Genre-
-
Writing the Role That Casts Itself
-
Case Studies: Dissecting the Success of Key Films – What concrete lessons can we draw from representative, sold films in each category to understand what specific elements worked and who bought them.
-
-
Craft + Context – How aligning story with industry demand increases your script’s chances without stifling originality.
-
Q&A with Michael
Who Should Attend
- Writers who want to increase their chances of getting read, signed, and sold in today’s competitive market
- Screenwriters struggling to position their scripts in a way that attracts managers, agents, and buyers
- Creatives who want to better understand what industry professionals are actually looking for right now
- Writers with completed drafts who want to make their projects more commercial and market-ready
- Emerging and intermediate screenwriters looking to break in with a strong, strategic spec script
- Filmmakers and storytellers who want to align their creative voice with current market demand
- Anyone interested in mastering genre to create scripts that are easy to pitch, read, and package
Executive
Michael Schulman is an industry veteran whose career includes stints at William Morris, ICM, and CAA as well as creative executive positions on three different studio lots including Netflix. Michael spent two years as VP of Development at Michael Mann’s company where he worked on ALI, THE AVIATOR, TEXAS KILLING FIELDS, and other projects. Michael has worked with other top industry professionals in the development and/or acquisition of many well-known features including THE SIXTH SENSE, VENGEANCE, HIDEAWAY, SHANGHAI, and GROUNDHOG DAY. Michael has led webinars on the streamer acquisition process and has been quoted and interviewed in the industry media.
Testimonials
Praise for Michael's Education:
"Michael was highly competent, extremely knowledgeable about his subject, and not afraid to share hard truths about the industry that many just won't be upfront about." - Lee T.
"I loved Michaels honestly. His advice is invaluable." - Linda R.
"Michael did not sugarcoat anything. He gave honest information that clarified a lot of questions I had." -Nikki J.
Credits
