Film and TV drama
Screenwriter (Film and TV Drama)
What does a screenwriter do?
Screenwriters develop and write screenplays for film and TV drama, including drama for children. They either write from their own ideas or are commissioned to write a script based on an idea someone else has developed. Sometimes the drama is adapted from a true story, a book, or even a play.
There are many different ways in which a screenwriter can be contracted to produce a script. In some cases, a film studio like Warner Bros, a broadcaster like Channel 4 or a streamer like Netflix will develop the idea for a film or TV drama in house, and a commissioner will ask a screenwriter to write a script. Commissioners consider ideas from a variety of sources, including executive producers, independent production companies and scriptwriters themselves. Then they “green light” a project and the drama goes into production.
Sometimes a writer and an independent film producer will develop an idea and collaborate to make a short film, or an independent production company will develop a screenplay based on their own idea and pitch it to a broadcaster or streamer.
A feature film can take several years to get from an idea to a cinema screen, and includes developing the whole project, not just the script. TV drama in which the production costs more than £1m per broadcast hour is classed as high-end TV (as opposed to lower budget continuing dramas like Coronation Street and Eastenders). High-end TV, like The Crown, is of a similar quality to a feature film but it can tell a more complex story over a number of episodes. Over the lifetime of a long-running series there may be several different screenwriters.
A screenwriter will prepare their script in a way that allows the reader to imagine the setting, the costume, the emotion and the characters so that anyone reading the screenplay can visualize what the production will look like on screen.
Screenwriters are normally freelance, and many have portfolio careers and produce other work such as plays, novels or copy for advertising or other publications.
What is a screenwriter good at?
- Writing: know what makes a good story and be able to communicate emotions, characters, scenery and action, write well and innovatively, express your ideas effectively in screenplay-form
- Knowledge of screenplays: understand all the features of a great film or TV drama screenplay, know how to improve and amend one to length and how to format it
- Communication: listen to the producer and director, share ideas, be able to collaborate as well as work independently
- Watching TV and film: have a passion for the medium, a love of the industry and awareness of different styles and possibilities
- Freelancing: find work opportunities for yourself, manage your finances, be self-motivated
- Professionalism: be receptive to script notes, be able to make changes effectively, work to deliver to a schedule
Who does a screenwriter work with?
Writers will discuss their ideas with the development team including commissioners, directors, producers and script editors.
How do I become a screenwriter
Start writing your own screenplays as soon as possible. Practising the form is essential. A degree is not a prerequisite to become a screenwriter, but having relevant education, whether that be in English or screenwriting subjects, is very useful.
At school or college:
If you want to go to university, A-levels or Highers in English, drama, media, film studies and psychology are useful. Or you might want to take a Level 3 vocational qualification. Look at what your local college offers in those subjects such as:
- T-Level Media, Broadcast and Production
If you want to go straight into a job, the following Level 3 qualifications are relevant to the industry:
- OCR Level 3 Technical Diploma in Digital Media (Moving Image and Audio Production)
Get a degree:
It’s not essential, but degrees in English, creative writing, screenwriting or psychology would be relevant. Have a look at ScreenSkills’ list of recommended courses and select one in writing for screen. We recognise courses with our ScreenSkills Select award where they offer training in the relevant software, dedicated time to building a portfolio and have strong links with the animation industry.
Watch a lot of film and TV drama
Make sure you’re familiar with a wide range of film and TV drama, including feature films, short films and TV series.
Read and write:
Practise writing screenplays in a professional format. Read existing screenplays online to familiarise yourself with the form. Some free examples can be found here:
- 50 of the best screenplays to read and download in every genre – Script reader pro
- Genre Screenplay Collection to Download – Shore Scripts
- BBC writers – Script Library
Build a portfolio:
Create work that you can show off to admissions tutors or employers. This is essential. Go to build your writing portfolio to learn how.
Take a short course:
Find a course that can help you develop the skills to become a screen writer, such as:
- National Film and Television School – screenwriting courses
- Arvon – screenwriting courses and retreats
On the ScreenSkills website, we have a list of training courses that we either fund, support or have quality-marked. It can be helpful to undertake courses in scriptwriting in general to understand the visual grammar of screenwriting that applies across all genres. Animation-specific courses are less common so a good grounding in scriptwriting would be useful for the industry.
Search for jobs:
Sometimes junior writer jobs are listed on recruitment websites. BBC Writers has a page dedicated to writing opportunities. You might find work as a researcher in the drama department of a broadcaster like the BBC or ITV and develop your understanding of screenwriting from there.
Meet people in the industry:
Go to ScreenSkills’ events, follow your local film office and any local community arts and media organisations and attend their events. Go to how to network well for some tips.
Network online:
Create a LinkedIn profile. See if there’s a Facebook page or other social media group for people making films or videos in your area. Join it and take part. Create a ScreenSkills profile.
Explore ScreenSkills Resources:
ScreenSkills careers information:
The your career hub has a wealth of resources designed to help you start or progress your career.
ScreenSkills e-learning:
ScreenSkills has a suite of free e-learning modules for those who are over 18 which can improve your knowledge. The Screen Skills Passport modules also prepare you as they are essential for some production roles. Some modules are available for those under 18. For anyone wanting advice about first steps, the Getting into the screen industries modules are very useful.
ScreenSkills skills checklists:
If you would like more detail about the tasks, responsibilities and skills required for many key roles in film and TV drama, children’s TV and unscripted TV you can look at our skills checklists.
It can also be helpful to find entry level work as a runner for a film or TV drama
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