Screenwriter
Screenwriters write the stories for feature films, TV programmes, animations and computer games.
Also known as: Screenplay writer, script writer
- Typical hours37 to 39 a week
What you'll do
As a screen writer, you could:
- research background material and come up with ideas
- develop plots and characters
- lay out the screenplay to an agreed format
- prepare short summaries of your ideas
- sell your ideas or ‘pitch' to producers
- get feedback on your work from producers or script editors
- rewrite scripts (often several times) before arriving at a final version
- network with agents and producers
- handle your own tax and accounts, if freelance
Working environment
You could work in an office, from home, at a film studio, at a TV studio or on a film set.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- knowledge of English language
- excellent written communication skills
- persistence and determination
- excellent verbal communication skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
- ambition and a desire to succeed
- knowledge of media production and communication
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
How to become a screenwriter
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- applying directly
- specialist courses run by private training providers
University
You could do a degree or postgraduate qualification to improve your job prospects, though this is not essential.
Useful subjects include:
- creative writing
- English
- media and communications
- film studies
- journalism
- psychology
Your university careers service can give advice on societies, work experience, internship and year placement opportunities that will help you build your creative network and develop your skills.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
- a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course
College
When you're starting out you may find it useful to take a college course to help develop your skills.
Courses are available in:
- creative writing
- scriptwriting
- creative and digital media
Adult education centres, colleges and universities sometimes run short courses in writing for screen.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
Direct application
If you want to get directly into this job, it will be useful if you have writing experience, for example, from journalism, advertising copywriting or acting.
You'll normally start by coming up with your own screenplays and ideas, and trying to sell them to agents and producers. Once you've had some work accepted and started to build a professional reputation, producers might then commission you to produce scripts for them.
Other routes
You could take short courses in screenwriting run by film schools, regional screen agencies and private training providers.
Career path and progression
Most screenwriters are freelance so to develop your career you'll need to network widely in the industry.
You could combine screenwriting with other forms of writing work like:
- teaching
- lecturing
- editing
Career tips
As a new writer, you could get yourself noticed by entering screenwriting competitions. These competitions are run by broadcasters and regional screen agencies to discover new talent.
You can also find advice about submitting your work through schemes like:
- BBC Writers
- Channel 4 New Writers Scheme
You might also write scripts for short films appearing online as part of film or animation festivals.
Create a LinkedIn profile to connect with people in the industry and make sure you have a portfolio to show off your writing skills.
Guides for this industry
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