CAREER OVERVIEW

What is a screenwriter?

Movies generally follow a script, and it is the screenwriter’s job to create the script for the director and crew to work with.  They create the story: what happens and who it happens to.  This, arguably, makes the screenwriter the most essential person in the movie-making process; without them, there wouldn’t even be a movie to make.

What does the job look like?

It is important to note that screenwriting is usually a freelance position.  This means that writers aren’t tied to a specific company or firm (although some are), and they are paid depending on how many scripts they write and if studios choose to adapt them.  When the movie they write for wraps up production, screenwriters are left in search of another gig.

​

When writing, screenwriters must be prepared to work with crew members to make sure scenes can be filmed properly, to work with directors to help them reach their vision, and to expect large re-writes of their script if necessary.  This means they are constantly writing and re-working throughout the production of a film. 

Skills and education

Screenwriters are expected to create compelling settings, characters, and narratives.  This means that the two most fundamental skills required for becoming a successful screenwriter is a deep understanding of language and a strong imagination.  While no certificates or formal education is required, it certainly helps to study Fine Arts subjects such as English, Cinema, and Theater.

Salary and outlook

The average salary of a screenwriter tends to hover around $61,000 annually, and job outlooks estimate a 2% growth in the industry until the mid-2020s.

This information was taken from multiple websites such as the following, which also offer an in-depth look at this

career:

Learn.org

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

All About Careers

​