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Whether you’re new to writing or have been slaving away on screenplays and pilots for years, you probably have a genre or two in which you prefer to write. Maybe your favorite film as a child was a comedy, or maybe Alfred Hitchcock was your inspiration to pursue entertainment. Or maybe you saw CASABLANCA in college and can still remember how it made you feel. Whatever genre in which you feel compelled to storytell, there’s something about that specific method that draws you to it. But do you really know what makes the genre work? Do you know the history, the trends, the conventions that go into building a Comedy, Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi, or Thriller? And do you know when and how to break from convention?
If the answer was no to any of those questions, then the Genre 101 Series is for you! By better understanding the differences, tools, and methods of storytelling each genre provides, you can become a significantly more effective screenwriter. Join us with Joe Russo where we’ll focus on the terrifying horror genre.
This 90-Minute Webinar Will Cover:
- The fundamentals of horror
- Characters, archetypes, and monsters
- Story and structure
- Themes
- Subverting expectations
- Q&A!
Producer/writer/director Joe Russo has been recognized for his work with writers, developing many acclaimed screenplays over the last several years — including his own — which have been selected by film and television executives for the Young & Hungry List, The Blood List, The Hit List, and The Black List.
As a producer, Russo has several upcoming projects in development, including the “HULK HOGAN” biopic at Netflix starring Chris Hemsworth from Academy Award Nominee Todd Phillips (JOKER). His Netflix horror movie, THE INHERITANCE, is currently in post-production.
In 2023, Russo Executive Produced two movies he wrote on, SOUL MATES, starring Neal McDonough, and THE LOCKSMITH, starring Ryan Phillippe, Kate Bosworth and Ving Rhames.
In 2022, Russo was an Associate Producer on Skydance's THE GREATEST BEER RUN EVER, which was directed by Peter Farrelly, and starring Russell Crowe and Zac Efron. The movie made its debut at The Toronto International Film Festival before topping the charts on Apple TV+.
In 2020, Joe's feature directorial debut, THE AU PAIR NIGHTMARE, an independent thriller which he co-wrote, debuted on Lifetime as their Sunday Night Movie of the Week. Joe's action screenplay, HARD KILL, starring Bruce Willis, from the Academy Award nominated producers of THE IRISHMAN, Emmett Furla Oasis, charted at the top of Netflix's Top 10, reaching #1 in the UK and #2 in the United States over the Thanksgiving holiday.
In 2019, Joe produced the Shudder horror anthology feature NIGHTMARE CINEMA starring Mickey Rourke (THE WRESTLER), with segments directed by acclaimed filmmakers like Joe Dante (GREMLINS), David Slade (HARD CANDY) and more. The Certified Fresh horror film was the second most-watched movie debut on Shudder in 2019, nominated for Best Limited Release by Fangoria Magazine and selected by Entertainment Weekly as one of "2019’s Best Horror Films”.
Joe began his career at Level 1 Entertainment under producer Bill Todman, Jr. (X-MEN, WILD WILD WEST), working his way up to Director of Development, where he managed a slate of feature films and television series, working hand-in-hand with major motion picture studios and television networks such as Fox, MGM, Showtime, SyFy, History and Amazon. Joe then served as a Development Consultant for Christina Aguilera and Matthew Rutler’s MX Productions, advising the company on their feature film division and their first-look television deal with Lionsgate Entertainment, where they produced the pilot TRACKS for Spike TV.
Questions?
If you have any questions or any trouble accessing the recording, email our Director of Education Alexandra Davies at alex@roadmapwriters.com!