2. A screen writer has the job of writing or creating a screen play for a television drama or film. This will include dialogue, shooting scripts and timing. Screenplays can be written in two formats: A speculative screenplay is a script written with no upfront payment, or a promise of payment. The content is usually invented solely by the screenwriter, though spec screenplays can also be based on established works, or real people and events. A commissioned screenplay is written by a hired writer. The concept is usually developed long before the screenwriter is brought on, and usually has many writers work on it before the script is given a green light. What is a screen writer?
3. Screenwriting courses can be studied at many universities such as West Scotland or London’s Met Film School. The majority of screen writers start out their career in speculative screenplay working freelance writing their own screenplays with no promise of payment for the work they do. It is common for screenwriters to find work by selling a treatment (approximately 10-30 pages) or synopsis (usually 1-2 pages), of their screenplay even if it isn't completed yet. Writers with more established careers and contacts in the film and television industry are much more likely to succeed working this way than those just starting out. Some screenwriters work closely with someone in another sector of the industry such as a producer, director, talent or literary agent or studio executive. The aim of this is to give their work positive movement. This often means pitching their project to investors or other people in a position to further a potential project. Screenwriters often gather work by re-editing the screenplays of other screenwriters in the ‘food-chain’ of screenwriting. This is often done by being hired by directors/ producers to work on one specific piece of work with the aim of improving it until the final piece is completed. In America, the usual route for progressing in screenwriting is via the Writer’s Guild Of America (WAG) who work alongside screenwriters. The career
4. Tasks involved Tasks associated with screenwriting from an existing piece include working alongside the author in translating the book/work into a script suitable for the screen. In screenwriting, it is important that the details of the original work itself remain whilst transitioning into a film, however, when adapting work to the screen, it is the screenwriter’s responsibility to decide which parts may have to be cut from the book when it is moved into a film/drama. The factors which help mould the work into something unique must also be kept when transitioning work into a script suitable for TV/film- as a screenwriting for existing pieces of work this is my responsibility. Problems Problems are often encountered when my ideas vary to those of the creator of the original text. For example when we have different opinions on which pieces should be kept when moving the existing piece into an adaptation for the screen. Job Role
5. Average salary $38,000 Piece work- spec scripts Feature assignment- accepted under a contract with the studio/production company Rewriting- rewriting someone else’s work for pay ‘Against’ Pay- Describes a scripts produced vs. unproduced value. If the unproduced script is sold for £300,000 but gains £200,000 if produced it would be £300,000 against £500,000. This would be the screenwriters overall pay. Bonuses can also be collected if a film grosses more than ‘x’ Guaranteed- a guaranteed amount for the script whether it is produced or not Option- money is paid for the ‘rights’ to a script, to be produced within a certain time period Salary
