Screenwriter: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 06:11, 3 March 2025

Screenwriter

A screenwriter or scriptwriter is a writer who practices the craft of screenwriting, producing scripts for mass media such as feature films, television productions or video games. They are often part of a larger creative team.

Overview[edit]

Screenwriters are responsible for researching the story, developing the narrative, writing the screenplay, and delivering it, in the required format, to development executives. Screenwriters therefore have great influence over the creative direction and emotional impact of the screenplay and, arguably, of the finished film. They either pitch original ideas to producers, in the hope that they will be optioned or sold, or screenwriters are commissioned by a producer to create a screenplay from a concept, true story, existing screen work or literary work, such as a novel, poem, play, comic book, or short story.

Types of screenwriters[edit]

Screenwriters can be divided into two categories: spec script writers and assignment writers. Spec script writers independently create scripts with the hopes of selling them. Assignment writers are hired by companies to write a script for an idea or concept already in place.

Screenwriting process[edit]

The process of screenwriting can be long and arduous. Many times, scripts go through many drafts before they are finalized. Screenwriters must be able to work collaboratively with other writers, directors, and actors to bring their scripts to life.

Union representation[edit]

In the United States, screenwriters are represented by the Writers Guild of America (WGA). The WGA is a labor union that represents the writers in the motion picture, broadcast, cable, interactive media, and new media industries.