Screenwriting offers diverse career paths, from traditional roles in film and TV to emerging opportunities in web series and video games. This section explores various writing positions, highlighting the skills and responsibilities required for each role.
Independent and consulting roles provide flexibility for screenwriters to work on their own terms. From freelance writing to script consulting, these paths allow writers to showcase their unique voices and expertise while navigating the industry's evolving landscape.
Traditional Screenwriting Roles
Feature Film and Television Writing
- Feature Film Writer creates original or adapted screenplays for movies intended for theatrical release
- Develops characters, dialogue, and plot structure to tell a compelling story within the constraints of a feature-length runtime (typically 90-120 minutes)
- Works closely with producers, directors, and studio executives to refine the script through multiple drafts (first draft, second draft, polish)
- Television Staff Writer is an entry-level position in a TV show's writing team, responsible for writing individual episodes and contributing to the overall story arc
- Collaborates with other writers in the writers' room to break down stories, pitch ideas, and ensure consistency across episodes
- May specialize in certain types of episodes (bottle episodes, holiday specials) or character arcs
Showrunning and Script Doctoring
- Showrunner is the head writer and executive producer of a television series, overseeing all creative aspects of production
- Manages the writing staff, assigns episodes, and ensures the show maintains a consistent tone and quality throughout the season
- Serves as the main point of contact between the writing team and the network or studio, advocating for the show's creative vision
- Script Doctor is a highly experienced writer hired to improve or fix problematic scripts, often uncredited
- Analyzes the existing screenplay to identify issues with pacing, dialogue, characterization, or plot holes
- Suggests revisions or rewrites specific scenes to address these problems, while maintaining the original writer's voice and intent
- Writing Room is the collaborative space where television writers gather to develop story ideas, plot character arcs, and break down individual episodes
- Encourages a supportive, creative environment where writers can pitch ideas, give feedback, and build upon each other's contributions
- Hierarchy typically includes showrunner, co-executive producers, supervising producers, producers, story editors, staff writers, and writing assistants
Emerging Media Writing
Web Series and Video Game Writing
- Web Series Writer creates short-form, episodic content specifically designed for online platforms (YouTube, Vimeo)
- Develops characters and storylines that can be told in brief, engaging segments, often with smaller budgets and faster production schedules than traditional TV
- Understands the unique audience expectations and viewing habits of online content consumers, tailoring stories to be easily shareable and binge-watchable
- Video Game Writer crafts interactive narratives and dialogue for video games across various genres and platforms
- Collaborates with game designers, programmers, and artists to integrate storytelling with gameplay mechanics and user choices
- Writes branching dialogue trees, character backstories, and world-building lore to immerse players in the game's narrative universe
Transmedia Storytelling
- Transmedia Storyteller develops a cohesive narrative experience across multiple media platforms, such as movies, TV shows, comics, websites, and social media
- Creates a "story world" with interconnected characters, events, and storylines that can be explored through different entry points and media formats
- Ensures each component of the transmedia story can stand alone while also contributing to a larger, unified narrative arc
- Examples include the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars expanded universe, and The Matrix franchise
Independent and Consulting Roles
Freelance and Spec Writing
- Independent Screenwriter works on a freelance basis, pitching original ideas or seeking commissioned work from producers or studios
- Develops a strong portfolio of writing samples to showcase their unique voice, style, and genre expertise
- Networks extensively to build relationships with industry professionals who can offer advice, feedback, or potential job opportunities
- Spec Script is a speculative screenplay written without a contract or commission, often used as a writing sample to showcase a writer's abilities
- Allows writers to demonstrate their skills in crafting original stories, compelling characters, and engaging dialogue
- Can be an original idea or a sample script for an existing TV show, demonstrating the writer's ability to capture the show's tone and style
Adaptation and Consulting
- Adaptation Specialist is skilled at transforming novels, plays, or other source material into screenplays or teleplays
- Identifies the core themes, characters, and narrative arcs that make the original work compelling, and translates them effectively to a visual medium
- Understands how to condense or expand the story as needed to fit the constraints of a feature film or television format
- Script Consultant offers professional feedback and guidance to help screenwriters improve their scripts
- Provides detailed notes on story structure, pacing, characterization, dialogue, and marketability, often through multiple rounds of revision
- May specialize in a particular genre (comedy, horror) or format (feature films, TV pilots) and offer industry insights on trends and expectations
Key Terms to Review (28)
Film festivals: Film festivals are organized events that showcase films to audiences, industry professionals, and critics, often providing a platform for filmmakers to premiere their work. They can serve as critical venues for networking, gaining visibility, and even launching careers within the film industry. Film festivals help to elevate the profile of emerging talent and foster connections that can lead to representation and career opportunities.
Nora Ephron: Nora Ephron was a renowned American screenwriter, director, and producer, celebrated for her sharp wit and insightful perspectives on relationships, love, and women’s experiences. She played a pivotal role in shaping romantic comedies in the late 20th century and became a significant figure in the film industry through her unique storytelling style and memorable dialogue. Ephron's work has had a lasting influence on how female characters are portrayed in film, often focusing on their complexities and strengths.
Spec script: A spec script is a screenplay written without being commissioned, usually created to showcase a writer's talent and style. This type of script is often used by writers to attract attention from agents or producers, as it reflects their unique voice and creative vision without any external constraints. Spec scripts are an essential tool for screenwriters looking to break into the industry or shift their career direction.
Comedy: Comedy is a genre of film characterized by humor and the aim to entertain, often through exaggerated situations, witty dialogue, and engaging characters. It frequently involves the subversion of expectations, leading to amusing scenarios that challenge societal norms or conventions. Comedies can blend elements from other genres or subvert traditional genre conventions, making them versatile in storytelling.
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) is a professional honorary organization dedicated to the advancement of the film industry, most famous for awarding the Oscars. Established in 1927, its influence extends to various aspects of filmmaking, including recognition and support for screenwriters, which impacts how screenplays are submitted and evaluated by agents and producers.
Story structure: Story structure refers to the organized framework that shapes a narrative, guiding the progression of events and character development throughout a screenplay. It helps establish the beginning, middle, and end of a story, ensuring that the plot unfolds in a cohesive manner. A well-defined story structure is crucial for maintaining audience engagement and delivering emotional impact, often incorporating elements like setup, conflict, climax, and resolution.
Character Development: Character development refers to the process of creating a believable and evolving character in a screenplay, showcasing their growth, motivations, and relationships throughout the story. This development is crucial as it impacts how audiences connect with the characters and enhances the narrative by providing depth and emotional stakes.
Draft: In screenwriting, a draft refers to a specific version of a screenplay that has undergone writing and revision processes. Each draft represents a step in the evolution of the script, capturing changes in structure, character development, dialogue, and visual storytelling. Drafts are essential for refining ideas and ensuring that the screenplay meets industry standards and creative goals.
Streaming services: Streaming services are platforms that deliver video and audio content over the internet, allowing users to access a wide range of media on-demand without the need for downloads or physical media. They have revolutionized how audiences consume entertainment and have drastically altered the landscape of screenwriting by creating new opportunities and challenges for writers in the industry.
Writers Guild of America: The Writers Guild of America (WGA) is a labor union representing writers in the film, television, and digital media industries. It plays a crucial role in advocating for writers' rights, negotiating contracts, and ensuring fair compensation, making it an essential organization in the screenwriting landscape.
Adaptation specialist: An adaptation specialist is a screenwriter who focuses on transforming existing works, such as novels, plays, or historical events, into screenplays for film or television. This role requires a deep understanding of narrative structure and character development, along with the ability to creatively reinterpret source material to fit the visual medium while maintaining its core essence.
Script consultant: A script consultant is a professional who provides feedback, analysis, and advice to screenwriters or producers to improve the quality and marketability of a screenplay. They play a crucial role in shaping scripts through in-depth evaluations, offering insights on structure, character development, dialogue, and overall storytelling. By collaborating with writers, script consultants help ensure that a screenplay resonates with its intended audience and meets industry standards.
Independent screenwriter: An independent screenwriter is a writer who creates scripts outside of the traditional studio system, often producing original works that can be made into films or television shows. This type of screenwriter often relies on personal funding, smaller production companies, or crowdfunding platforms to bring their projects to life, allowing for greater creative freedom but also facing unique challenges in distribution and marketing.
Transmedia storyteller: A transmedia storyteller is a creator who develops a narrative across multiple platforms and formats, allowing the story to unfold in unique ways on each medium. This approach enhances audience engagement by inviting them to explore the story through various channels, such as films, video games, books, and social media, each contributing distinctively to the overall experience. Transmedia storytelling emphasizes the importance of each platform, where every piece adds depth to the narrative and encourages active participation from the audience.
Video game writer: A video game writer is a professional who creates narratives, dialogue, and character development for video games. This role involves crafting engaging stories that enhance gameplay while considering player interaction and choices, making it unique compared to traditional writing forms. Video game writers often collaborate with designers, artists, and programmers to ensure the story integrates seamlessly with the game's mechanics and visuals.
Web series writer: A web series writer is a professional who creates scripts specifically for online series that are distributed through digital platforms. These writers often focus on short episodic content that can be consumed quickly, catering to the fast-paced demands of online audiences. With the rise of streaming services and platforms like YouTube and Vimeo, web series writers play a vital role in shaping contemporary storytelling by leveraging unique formats and engaging narratives tailored for the internet.
Writing room: A writing room is a collaborative space where screenwriters and other creatives gather to brainstorm, develop ideas, and craft scripts for film or television projects. This environment fosters teamwork and the sharing of ideas, enabling writers to contribute their unique perspectives and skills to create cohesive stories that resonate with audiences.
Showrunner: A showrunner is the individual responsible for the overall creative direction and management of a television series. They oversee everything from writing and casting to production and post-production, ensuring that the show's vision is executed consistently across all episodes. The showrunner typically has significant influence over the storylines, character development, and the overall tone of the series.
Television staff writer: A television staff writer is a professional screenwriter who is employed as part of the writing team for a television show. This role involves generating scripts, developing story arcs, and collaborating with other writers and producers to bring a series to life, which is crucial for the overall narrative cohesion and pacing of the show.
Aaron Sorkin: Aaron Sorkin is a renowned American screenwriter, producer, and playwright known for his distinctive style characterized by rapid-fire dialogue and complex characters. He has created some of the most acclaimed television series and films, showcasing a keen ability to blend drama with thought-provoking themes, making significant contributions to the industry and influencing a generation of writers.
Drama: Drama refers to a genre of narrative that focuses on the emotional development and conflicts of characters, often leading to a climactic resolution. It thrives on the exploration of human experiences, relationships, and moral dilemmas, allowing audiences to connect deeply with the characters' struggles. The intensity and complexity of drama can provide a reflective mirror on society, making it a powerful tool for storytelling.
Feature film script: A feature film script is a detailed written document that outlines the story, characters, dialogue, and actions of a film intended for theatrical release, typically running 75 minutes or longer. It serves as the blueprint for the entire production, guiding directors, actors, and crew through the filmmaking process. This type of script adheres to specific formatting and structure conventions, which are crucial for professional presentation in the film industry.
Pitch: A pitch is a brief, persuasive presentation of a screenplay idea meant to grab the attention of producers, agents, or potential collaborators. It's not just about summarizing the story but also conveying the tone, style, and emotional core that makes the project unique. A successful pitch helps distinguish a writer's work in a competitive industry and can set the stage for further discussions or opportunities.
Script doctor: A script doctor is a professional writer who is brought in to revise, polish, or improve an existing screenplay. This role is essential in the film industry, as script doctors often work to enhance character development, dialogue, and story structure, making scripts more appealing to producers and audiences alike. They may work uncredited or under pseudonyms, and their contributions can significantly impact a film's success.
Screenwriter: A screenwriter is a writer who specializes in creating scripts for films, television shows, and other visual media. They are responsible for crafting the narrative structure, dialogue, and character development, which are essential elements in bringing stories to life on screen. The role of a screenwriter can vary greatly depending on the project, from original screenplays to adaptations of existing works.
Revision: Revision is the process of reviewing, altering, and refining a screenplay to improve its structure, dialogue, characters, and overall story. This iterative process is essential in screenwriting as it allows writers to polish their work, respond to feedback, and enhance their storytelling skills. It often involves multiple drafts and can be influenced by collaboration and critiques from peers or industry professionals.
Treatment: In screenwriting, a treatment is a detailed summary of a screenplay that outlines the main story, characters, and key scenes. It serves as a blueprint for the screenplay itself and is often used to communicate the vision of the film to producers and collaborators before the actual script is written.
Television pilot: A television pilot is a standalone episode of a TV series that serves as a proof of concept, showcasing the show's premise, characters, and tone. It is crucial for attracting network executives, gaining funding, and setting the foundation for future episodes, thus playing a pivotal role in the development of a television series.