What does a screenwriter do?

What does a screenwriter do?

A screenwriter is a writer who writes or adapts a screenplay for the entertainment industry. They can write for film or television. A screenwriter may write fully original content, adapt a book or previous piece of media for the screen, write about someone else’s IP (intellectual property), or might write an episode of a continuing television storyline or a sequel to an existing movie.

Sometimes, a screenwriter writes a script and then sells it to a production company. Sometimes, they are hired by producers and work closely with above the line creatives like the director to create a script that suits the needs of the production. Sometimes, the screenwriter is involved in another capacity, usually as a producer or director. For example, in the 2023 blockbuster hit Barbie, Greta Gerwig wrote the screenplay alongside her partner Noah Baumbach. Gerwig also directed the film, and both Gerwig and Baumbach served as executive producers.

What skills does a screenwriter need?

One obvious skill a screenwriter needs is writing. Screenwriting is different from writing a novel, and you can read about the differences here. A screenwriter should have a strong grasp on plot, character, and dialogue. A screenwriter should also have a solid understanding of screenplay formatting; industry standards are very specific.

A screenwriter should also be able to take feedback well. Filmmaking is a highly collaborative project, and a screenwriter should be able to adapt to fit the director’s vision as well as the instructions of producers and executives. A good screenwriter doesn’t let their ego get in the way of making the best possible movie, which sometimes means making big changes to the script. They also have to accept that when the movie is filmed and edited, it will likely won’t be exactly as written, and they have to be okay with that being part of the process. 

Another key skill a screenwriter should have is an understanding of the production process, specifically how much things cost. For example, if you’re writing a script for a low budget movie, you should keep in mind that every person, place, and thing seen on screen costs money. It’s more expensive to film in an airport than a public park. It costs more to feed a cast of 20 than a cast of three. A CGI dragon or a sword fight in space is going to cost a LOT more than a scene with no special effects. A good screenwriter will keep all of this in mind. Of course, if you’re writing for Marvel, it doesn’t matter, but most of us are working with much, MUCH smaller budgets.

How can you become a screenwriter?

A lot of people will try to sell you expensive classes and degrees, but the truth is many great screenwriters are self-taught. I got my start in screenwriting by watching a few Youtube videos, watching movies in the genre I wanted to write in, and just… getting started! Check out this list of screenwriting software to get you going. Places like Youtube have great tutorials for free, or you can pay for a few months of Masterclass and learn from some of the greats. Ultimately, just paying attention to the things you watch and reading a few scripts is enough to get you started. I have many blog articles FULL of screenwriting tips, as well as a screenplay outlining workbook. And give yourself some grace; your first ever screenplay probably won’t be your magnum opus, and that’s okay!

Once you’ve written a screenplay you feel really proud of, take the time to get (and incorporate) feedback from people you trust. You can also submit it to screenplay contests to get feedback and hopefully win awards, although this is optional (and can be kind of pricey depending on how widely you submit.)

You can then either pitch your screenplay to production companies or you can produce it yourself. Just like the art of screenwriting, there are a ton of production resources online; we do a monthly free resource round up for filmmakers, in addition to posting multiple articles a week full of production tips.

Good luck, and happy writing!