Have you ever wished you could be at a Hollywood premiere for something you wrote? If you love movies and creative writing, screenwriting could be a great career path for you. It takes a lot of work and luck to be a professional screenwriter, but there are many things you can do to have a better chance. We know that you are probably wondering how to get into the industry, so read on to find the answers to your most common questions.
Steps
Method 1 of 10: What qualifications and experience do I need to be a screenwriter?
Step 1. It can vary a lot, since there is no set path to being a screenwriter
Writing movies is not a traditional job. Some people become young screenwriters without any professional experience, while others don't start until later in life. Regardless of what stage of life you are in, you can still try working on scripts.
Step 2. You will need at least a portfolio of scripts that you can display
If you want to be a screenwriter, you have to develop a love for writing and get the job done. Industry agents and professionals will want to see several examples of your work, so you should continue writing scripts in your spare time to contribute to your portfolio. You could work in a few different genres to showcase your range of talent.
Step 3. A title for a screenwriting program can be very helpful
Find film schools with screenwriting programs and apply. In college, you'll learn the basics of screenwriting and work with other students to make short films. You can also network with professors who might meet people in the industry.
If you live in the US, some of the best film schools are the University of Southern California; the University of California, Los Angeles; the American Film Institute; the University of New York; and Columbia University
Method 2 of 10: Do I need a degree to get into screenwriting?
Step 1. No, a lot of what you need can be learned online
Even if you network a lot at the university, you can still get almost all the information you need about screenwriting for free online. If you want to save money, you can skip the title in screenwriting and just learn at your own pace.
There are many screenwriting podcasts (for example, Scriptnotes, The Writers Panel, and Draft Zero) that talk about the industry and give tips to improve your writing
Method 3 of 10: How do I get better at screenwriting?
Step 1. Write as much as you can
The only way you can improve is to keep practicing your craft. When you have an idea for a script, try to give it more substance to develop your portfolio. As you continue to write, your work will become much more refined and look more professional.
- Try to set aside a little time each day to write.
- Many industry professionals look for various scripts in your portfolio. If you only have one, start working on another so you have more to show.
Step 2. Get some books on screenwriting to help you improve your craft
Many professional screenwriters have written tips and tricks on writing stories and formatting scripts. Try to read as much as possible so that you can keep improving and keep your scripts interesting. These are some great books you can read:
- Robert McKee's screenplay
- John Truby's Script Anatomy
- Save Blake Snyder's cat
Step 3. Read the scripts of the movies you love to see how they are written
Many scripts are available online for free, so try searching for the name of the movie followed by "pdf script." Observe how the dialogue and action are written and how the story is formatted. When writing your own scripts, take inspiration from your favorites.
Method 4 of 10: How do I get people to notice my scripts?
Step 1. Post your script on The Black List
This is an online service that helps unknown screenwriters get attention. You can pay to host your script on their website and have critics read it to see if it's a good story. Every year, The Black List publishes a list of the most popular screenplays that are often made into movies.
- You can access The Black List here.
- While you can create an account for free, you must pay if you want your scripts to appear publicly for industry professionals to read.
Step 2. Submit your script to screenwriting competitions
In screenwriting competitions, judges read and score screenplays to find emerging talent. Many screenwriters get agents in competitions. Since there are many different screenwriting competitions, research a few that accept screenplays in the genre you are writing. Make sure to research the competition beforehand to make sure it's right for you.
- The Austin Film Festival and the Nicholl Competition are notable options you can try to enter.
- Another great way to network and meet people in the industry is to attend film festivals.
Step 3. Make a few short films to showcase your writing
If you have friends or a film crew, you could come up with some of your ideas on your own. Write something that you can easily do on your own, as a great epic sci-fi movie with lots of action scenes will cost a lot. Share your work online so people can see it. If you do something impressive, maybe you can network with industry professionals.
Method 5 of 10: What is a screenwriting agent and will I need one?
Step 1. An agent makes deals with producers to sell your scripts
When you find a scriptwriting agent, he will look for studios and producers that you could work with. It also helps to draft contracts with the studios so that you get the best offer for your writing. Because agents have so many contacts, yours is an important person in helping you truly break into the industry.
Method 6 of 10: How do I get an agent?
Step 1. Write application letters to agencies to see if they want to represent you
Research a few different talent and scriptwriting agencies to see what kind of clients they represent and see if you would be a good fit with them. In your application letter, state why you think the agent should represent you immediately. Provide a short summary of your script and also your personal bio so they know more about you. Leave your contact information in case they want to contact you.
If you live in the US, some of the main agencies you can write to are the CAA, ICMP, UTA, and WME
Step 2. Network with other people in the movie industry
Attend screenwriting conferences and film festivals so you can meet other people in the industry. Talk to other people you know and tell them about yourself. You can also try to get an assistant job at a studio or production company to help get your feet wet.
Living in a prominent city like New York or Los Angeles also gives you better chances to network with industry professionals
Step 3. Practice introducing yourself and your scripts
You need to be a good fit with your agent, so you should work on talking about the things that make you unique. Get comfortable with telling stories about yourself so that you're not nervous when you actually go to speak to an agent or industry professional. You will also need to present your ideas, so you should work on talking about your script in short, concise ways that will get someone very interested in it.
For example, you could present a movie like this: "My script is about a boy who goes back in time and gets stuck in the 1950s with teenage versions of his parents, and the only way he can go back is by making them fall in love. "
Method 7 of 10: How are screenwriters paid?
Step 1. Generally, you will be paid in installments for each draft
After you sign a contract for your script, you will usually receive a small portion of the money as soon as you start. By submitting a draft of your script, you will receive another part of the payment. The payments depend on what you have agreed to in the contract and the number of drafts you are expected to write.
Sometimes a large chunk of the money won't be given to you until after the movie finishes shooting
Step 2. You receive royalty payments every time your movie airs somewhere
Every time the movie airs on television or on airplanes, you will receive a small percentage of payment, known as a residual payment. The percentages vary based on the original contract, but are typically about 1.2% of what the distributor earns.
Method 8 of 10: How Much Does a Screenwriter Make?
Step 1. The minimum amount per script is between USD 79,500 and 149,106
You may have heard of multi-million dollar screenwriting contracts, but you probably won't earn as much when you start. The amount you earn will depend on the type of script and your contract. When you sell a script, you will earn a minimum wage set by a writers union.
- You may earn less money based on your participation in writing. For example, if you only write the story or the treatment, you will only earn between $ 36,000 and $ 59,500.
- Typically, your agent will keep about 10% of what you earn.
Method 9 of 10: Do I have to live in Los Angeles to be a screenwriter?
Step 1. Although it is not necessary, you will have more opportunities in the city
Los Angeles is one of the top cities for movies, so you are more likely to network with other people in the industry. If you're just starting your first script, you can probably stay where you are, but you may need to move if you're considering becoming a professional screenwriter.
Method 10 of 10: How do I write a good script?
Step 1. Take the time to sketch the scenes to pin down the story
The outline is the roadmap for the entire script. There are all the scenes you will write. Write down on file cards everything you want to include in the script and arrange them in the order in which you want the scenes to be in the script. Experiment with a few different scene orders to help you find new and interesting ways to tell the story.
- It's okay if you don't know all the scenes you want to write. Some ideas will come naturally to you as you write.
- There is no industry standard way to format the sketch. Just organize it the way that works best for you.
Step 2. Make the story follow a structure to cover the dramatic bars of the script
The three act structure is one of the most common you will see in a script. When planning your scenes, arrange them so that they all flow logically from one to another to tell the story. Keep building the tension until you climax, which should be the most dramatic part of the script. Finish the script with a resolution to wrap up all the events.
You can also experiment with other structures for the story. For example, you could show multiple timelines to introduce the characters at different times in their life
Step 3. Use engaging and realistic dialogue to move the script forward
Dialogue makes up the bulk of a script and helps advance the story. When the characters speak, have them say something that propels them to the next measure in the story. Consider what has to happen in the scene and how the characters would naturally react to what happens.
- Listen to how real people speak so that you can make the dialogue more believable.
- If you have trouble thinking through dialogue, write down the most basic sentences you want to convey. You can always come back to them later. For example, you could just write "We have to get away from these zombies!" as a dialogue marker.
Advice
- While getting into the industry can be very difficult, you shouldn't let it put you off writing. Just keep working on your scripts in your spare time so you can keep improving.
- Stay tuned for inspiration for your next script. You never know what your next great idea might give you.