Inspired by the biological classification system of the Linnaean taxonomy, screenwriter Eric R. Williams developed the Screenwriters Taxonomy in 2017 to create a common language of creative collaboration for filmmakers. Euchner, C. (2024, May 24). The machinery of genre and storytelling. The Elements of Writing. https://theelementsofwriting.com/williams/ Williams’ central thesis in The Screenwriters Taxonomy: A Roadmap to Collaborative Storytelling is that the term “genre” is used so broadly to describe films that the modern use of the word has become meaningless.Williams, Eric R. “The Need for a Road Map.” In The Screenwriters Taxonomy: A Roadmap to Collaborative Storytelling, 3–12. New York, NY: Routledge, 2018. The Screenwriter's Taxonomy proposes seven categories for discussing the creative process of telling cinematic stories.
Type Super Genre Macrogenres Microgenres Voice Pathway Point of View Combined, this approach creates more than 185 million creative permutations.
Type In the broadest sense, all narrative fiction films can be broken down into two types: Comedy or Drama. The difference between types is simply whether or not the film is more serious (drama) or humorous (comedy). There are ten different brands of drama, and a dozen brands of comedy.Williams, Eric R. (2019). “Episode #3: Comedy and Tragedy: Age Does Not Protect You.” In Falling in Love with Romance Movies. Audible Original. BRAND OF DRAMA DESCRIPTION FILM EXAMPLESDark DramaDramas dealing with intensely serious issues. · Oldboy
· Requiem for a DreamDocudramaDramatized adaptation of real-life events. While not always completely accurate, the general facts are more-or-less true. · Into the Wild
· ZodiacDocu-fictionDifferent from docudramas, docu-fictional films combine documentary and fiction, where actual footage or real events are intermingled with recreated scenes.· Interior Leather Bar
· Your Name HereDramedyA serious story that contains some characters or scenes inherently humorous to the audience. · Everything Must Go
· HustlersHyper-dramaCoined by film professor Ken Dancyger, these stories exaggerate characters and situations to the point of becoming fable, legend or fairy tale. · Fantastic Mr. Fox
· Maleficent Light DramaLight-hearted stories that are, nevertheless, serious in nature. · The Help
· The TerminalSatireSatire can involve humor, but the result is typically sharp social commentary that is anything but funny. Satire often uses irony or exaggeration to expose faults in society or individuals that influence social ideology. · Birdman
· Dr. StrangeloveStraight DramaThis broad category applies to those that do not attempt a specific approach to drama but, rather, consider drama as a lack of comedic techniques.· The 39 Steps
· Ghost World TragedyStories that explore human suffering, and end in devastation. · Million Dollar Baby
· Fruitvale StationTragicomedyA story that explores human suffering, but with an uplifting ending and/or with enough comedic elements to keep the audience laughing throughout the tragic story. · 50/50
· Man on the Moon
· Moonrise Kingdom BRAND OF COMEDY DESCRIPTION FILM EXAMPLESBathroom ComedyComedy that is indecent, often about sex, bodily functions and containing a healthy dose of profanity.· Animal House
· Dumb and DumberComedy of IdeasUses comedy to explore serious ideas such as religion, sex or politics. Often the characters represent particular divergent worldviews and are forced to interact for comedic effect and social commentary. · M*A*S*H
· The PlayerComedy of MannersEmphasizes verbal gymnastics above all else, utilizing clever insults and witticisms to entertain.· The Graduate
· Under the Tuscan SunDark ComedyHumor that makes light of subject matter typically considered taboo.· American Psycho
· DeadpoolFarceExaggerating situations beyond the realm of possibility – thereby making them entertaining.· In the Loop
· Some Like it HotObservational ComedyFinding humor in the common practices of everyday life.· Carnage
· Fast Food NationParody (or Spoof)Humor based on imitation. All parodies are based on a pre-existing work that is widely recognized by the intended audience. The work is summarily exaggerated to the point of mockery and trivialization.· Hot Fuzz
· Young FrankensteinSex ComedyHumor that is primarily derived from sexual situations and desire. · Don Jon
· Knocked UpSituational ComedyHumor that comes from knowing a stock group of characters (or character types) and then exposing them to different situations to create humorous and ironic juxtaposition.· Galaxy Quest
· The Princess BrideStraight ComedyThis broad category applies to those that do not attempt a specific approach to comedy but, rather, used comedy for comedic sake.· Clueless
· Mrs. DoubtfireSlapstick ComedyHumor that uses tripping, falling, and cartoon-like violence as the core element. · The General
· The Three StoogesSurreal ComedyStorytelling that includes behavior and storytelling techniques that are illogical; includes bizarre juxtapositions, absurd situations and unpredictable reactions to normal situation.· Monty Python and the Holy Grail
· Swiss Army Man
Super Genre The Screenwriters Taxonomy classifies eleven“Super Genres”. Super genres are defined by three elements (each consisting of specific components):
Character (consisting of the types of central characters, those characters’ goals, and stock characters that support the story) Story (consisting of central themes, the rhythm of how the story is told and the classic tent pole scenes that the audience expects) Atmosphere (consisting of locations, costumes, props and visceral experiences for the audience)
The eleven super genres are Williams, Eric R. “Movie Types and Supergenres.” In The Screenwriters Taxonomy: A Roadmap to Collaborative Storytelling, 15–46. New York, NY: Routledge, 2018.:
Action Crime Fantasy Horror Life Romance Science Fiction Sports Thriller War Western
The super genre “Life” is further divided into:
Day in the Life (where the main character's daily struggles are the central conflict in the story) Slice of Life (stories focused on how community copes with every day issues).Williams, Eric R. (2019). “Episode #9: Other Genres: Where There is Love.” In Falling in Love with Romance Movies. Audible Original. Screenwriters working in these super genres support this category as foundational to the other categories.
Macro Genres
While there are a limited number of super genres, there are at least fifty macro genres. A macro genre contains interchangeable elements that pair with super genres to create a more detailed story. By pairing a macro genre with a super genre, more specific expectations emerge within a story. For example, “Time Travel” is a macro genre. It can be paired with a variety of super genres to create a time travel fantasy story, or a time travel romance. Multiple macro genres can be used for a single story. The fifty macro genres identified in the Screenwriters Taxonomy are:Williams, Eric R. “Recognizing your Genre.” In Screen Adaptation: Beyond the Basics: Techniques for Adapting Books, Comics, and Real-Life Stories into Screenplays, 103–133. New York: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2018. +EXAMPLE OF 50 MACRO GENRES1. Addiction
2. Adventure
3. Alien Invasion
4. Apocalyptic
5. Artificial Intelligence
6. Biography
7. Bro- / Wo- mance
8. Demonic
9. Disaster
10. Disease / Disability11. Epic / Saga
12. Erotica
13. Escape
14. Family
15. Gangs / Punks / Brothers in Arms
16. Gangster
17. Ghost / Spirits / Angels
18. Heist / Caper
19. Historical
20. Holiday21. Identity
22. Killing
23. Law Enforcement
24. Legal
25. Love
26. Magical
27. Martial Arts
28. Medical
29. Military
30. Mission31. Monster
32. Mystery / Detective
33. Political
34. Procedural
35. Protection
36. Psychological
37. Religious
38. Revenge/Justice
39. Romantic Comedy
40. Science Fantasy41. School Films
42. Showbiz / Artistry
43. Slasher
44. Spy / Espionage
45. Superhero
46. Super Powers
47. Survival
48. Terror
49. Time Travel
50. Workplace Each of the eleven super genres can be used as macro genres (e.g. science fiction and fantasy)
An example of how the “mystery” macro genre would pair with each super genre: The Usual Suspects is a crime mystery Who Framed Roger Rabbit is a fantasy mystery The Blair Witch Project is a horror mystery The Hangover is a slice of life mystery Vertigo is a romance mystery Minority Report is a science fiction mystery Eight Men Out is a sports mystery The Silence of the Lambs is a thriller mystery The Manchurian Candidate is a war mystery The Hateful Eight is a western mystery Screenwriters often identify as writing specifically for a macro-genre (e.g. romantic comedy) with the understanding that they are working within a broader super genre.
Micro Genres
Macro genres can be paired randomly with any given super genre.Williams, Eric R. “Macro Genres and Micro Genres.” In The Screenwriters Taxonomy: A Roadmap to Collaborative Storytelling, 47–87. New York, NY: Routledge, 2018. Micro genres work differently. Each micro genre is particular to a given macro genre – providing even more specificity and nuance to the story, characters and atmosphere. Therefore, each macro genre has its own set of possible micro genres.Madrigal, Alexis C. (January 2, 2014). "How Netflix Reverse-Engineered Hollywood". The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/01/how-netflix-reverse-engineered-hollywood/282679/ For example, the “biography” macro genre has at least six possible micro genres:Williams, Eric R. (2017). Screen Adaptation : Beyond the Basics. New York: Focal Press. ISBN 978-1-315-66941-0. OCLC 986993829.
Biography of the rich and/or famous (The Social Network or Malcolm X) Biography of an entertainer or athlete (Ray or Cinderella Man) Biography of a politician (The King's Speech) Biography of an unknown person doing something remarkable (Schindler's List) Biography of a group or organization (Remember the Titans) Biography of a newsworthy or historical event (Apollo 13 or The Imitation Game)
The micro genres for each macro are as follows: