Screenwriters Taxonomy

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.^[1] 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.^[2] The Screenwriter's Taxonomy proposes seven categories for discussing the creative process of telling cinematic stories.^[3]

Type ^[4]
Super Genre ^[4]
Macrogenres ^[5]
Microgenres ^[6]
Voice ^[7]
Pathway ^[8]
Point of View ^[9]

^ Williams, Eric R. (2018). “Episode #3: Movie Genre: It's Not What You Think.” In How to View and Appreciate Great Movies. The Great Courses / Audible.
^ 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.
^ Eric., Williams (2017). Screenwriters Taxonomy. Focal Press. ISBN 978-1-351-61066-7. OCLC 1006975143.
^ ^a ^b Williams, Eric R. “Movie Types and Supergenres.” In The Screenwriters Taxonomy: A Roadmap to Collaborative Storytelling, 15–46. New York, NY: Routledge, 2018.
^ Williams, Eric R. “Macro Genres and Micro Genres.” In The Screenwriters Taxonomy: A Roadmap to Collaborative Storytelling, 47–87. New York, NY: Routledge, 2018.
^ Cite error: The named reference :2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Williams, Eric R. “Voice.” In The Screenwriters Taxonomy: A Roadmap to Collaborative Storytelling, 101–125. New York, NY: Routledge, 2018.
^ Williams, Eric R. “Pathway.” In The Screenwriters Taxonomy: A Roadmap to Collaborative Storytelling, 126–142. New York, NY: Routledge, 2018.
^ Williams, Eric R. “Point of View.” In The Screenwriters Taxonomy: A Roadmap to Collaborative Storytelling, 143–157. New York, NY: Routledge, 2018.

[1] Williams, Eric R. (2018). “Episode #3: Movie Genre: It's Not What You Think.” In How to View and Appreciate Great Movies. The Great Courses / Audible.

[2] 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.

[3] Eric., Williams (2017). Screenwriters Taxonomy. Focal Press. ISBN 978-1-351-61066-7. OCLC 1006975143.

[:0-4] Williams, Eric R. “Movie Types and Supergenres.” In The Screenwriters Taxonomy: A Roadmap to Collaborative Storytelling, 15–46. New York, NY: Routledge, 2018.

[:1-5] Williams, Eric R. “Macro Genres and Micro Genres.” In The Screenwriters Taxonomy: A Roadmap to Collaborative Storytelling, 47–87. New York, NY: Routledge, 2018.

[:2-6] Cite error: The named reference :2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[7] Williams, Eric R. “Voice.” In The Screenwriters Taxonomy: A Roadmap to Collaborative Storytelling, 101–125. New York, NY: Routledge, 2018.

[8] Williams, Eric R. “Pathway.” In The Screenwriters Taxonomy: A Roadmap to Collaborative Storytelling, 126–142. New York, NY: Routledge, 2018.

[9] Williams, Eric R. “Point of View.” In The Screenwriters Taxonomy: A Roadmap to Collaborative Storytelling, 143–157. New York, NY: Routledge, 2018.

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