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How do you get into the screenwriting industry?
I am interested to making a career out of acting, screenwriting or playwriting, as well as using my musical abilities of singing and songwriting. I understand that networking is key but as an actress I have only done background work, and student films, plus an online commercial. I don't have an agent and am uncertain as to what that process is like or when I should look into one. Also I am in school (Sophomore year) to obtain a Film degree as I find that most screenwriters have degrees. I realized early on that I am natural writing and dialogue comes naturally to me I just don't know how to put it together to be a professional piece of work and I am curious to connect within any one who has gone through this process and are successful.
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Brian’s Answer
Hi,
I took a similar path in my writing career. I began as an actor, both stage and screen. As much as I enjoyed acting, I hated the time constraints it imposes. I fell into playwriting during a workshop. I knew my knack for writing dialogue could produce something worthy for a stage. Since then I've had about 30 plays on stage. I know other playwrights with more productions, but they have the time to sit on the computer and just submit to as many theaters as humanly possible. I don't have that luxury. I went back to school for screenwriting, after one of my screenplays was reviewed and rejected. Is school mandatory for screenwriting? No, it's not. It does help, but nowadays there are so many resources online to help. Before I started school, I read a number of books on screenwriting. Obtain some writing software, I use Final Draft, and will not write with anything else. Once you write, submit your draft to a workshop, these can be online or in person. A lot of these workshops went online once Covid hit, some have stayed in that format, while others went back to live. Workshops help. You will see what works and what areas need work. Trust the process.
Just continue to write and learn from others.
1. Obtain writing software. This software will help format your work for both stage and screenplays. Bad formatting will be the death of your work. Theaters/agents will pass on it if it's incorrectly formatted.
2. Write a stage play. Think short play (10 page) and submit to theater companies. If you need to join a few submission websites. Small fee, but they can help you find a place for your work.
3. Join writing groups, online or in person. Find ones that workshop. If they do not, then show your work to your friends/family and get their feedback. In my experience, negative feedback works better than positive.
4. Submit your work. If it doesn't get picked up, keep trying. Perhaps tweak your work. Then continue submitting.
5. Once you mastered playwriting, study formatting for screenplays. Most of the knowledge you gained, will transfer to screenplays.
I took a similar path in my writing career. I began as an actor, both stage and screen. As much as I enjoyed acting, I hated the time constraints it imposes. I fell into playwriting during a workshop. I knew my knack for writing dialogue could produce something worthy for a stage. Since then I've had about 30 plays on stage. I know other playwrights with more productions, but they have the time to sit on the computer and just submit to as many theaters as humanly possible. I don't have that luxury. I went back to school for screenwriting, after one of my screenplays was reviewed and rejected. Is school mandatory for screenwriting? No, it's not. It does help, but nowadays there are so many resources online to help. Before I started school, I read a number of books on screenwriting. Obtain some writing software, I use Final Draft, and will not write with anything else. Once you write, submit your draft to a workshop, these can be online or in person. A lot of these workshops went online once Covid hit, some have stayed in that format, while others went back to live. Workshops help. You will see what works and what areas need work. Trust the process.
Just continue to write and learn from others.
Brian recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Mike’s Answer
First you're probably want to go to school for at least a bachelor's in film studies or actual film school. There they teach writing directing acting. Try to become well-rounded. And film school you'll get to make your first couple films and write the screenplays for them.
The writer for the hit shows severance did not have a ton of experience and it took him 10 years to get the show on the air but here's a synopsis:
The mind behind the captivating show Severance is Dan Erickson. Hailing from Olympia, Washington, with no prior Hollywood connections, Erickson conceived the idea for the series after a decade of reflection on a less-than-thrilling office job. That initial pilot script was so compelling it landed on the Blood List in 2016. Interestingly, before Severance took off, he even wrote for Spike TV's Lip Sync Battle Pre-Show.
Beyond creating the show, Erickson also serves as the showrunner and has penned several episodes. The journey of Severance to our screens was a patient one, developed for four years by Ben Stiller's production company before Apple TV+ picked it up. It's been noted that the "White Christmas" episode of Black Mirror served as partial inspiration for the series. Erickson's work on Severance has been recognized with two wins at the 2023 Writers Guild of America Awards, for Best New Series and Best Drama Series. It's a testament to the power of a persistent vision!
The writer for the hit shows severance did not have a ton of experience and it took him 10 years to get the show on the air but here's a synopsis:
The mind behind the captivating show Severance is Dan Erickson. Hailing from Olympia, Washington, with no prior Hollywood connections, Erickson conceived the idea for the series after a decade of reflection on a less-than-thrilling office job. That initial pilot script was so compelling it landed on the Blood List in 2016. Interestingly, before Severance took off, he even wrote for Spike TV's Lip Sync Battle Pre-Show.
Beyond creating the show, Erickson also serves as the showrunner and has penned several episodes. The journey of Severance to our screens was a patient one, developed for four years by Ben Stiller's production company before Apple TV+ picked it up. It's been noted that the "White Christmas" episode of Black Mirror served as partial inspiration for the series. Erickson's work on Severance has been recognized with two wins at the 2023 Writers Guild of America Awards, for Best New Series and Best Drama Series. It's a testament to the power of a persistent vision!
Thank you for your time Mike this was very helpful! I am currently in school for my Film degree so that I can get a well rounded perspective! Do you consider taking classes at Sundance in the meantime to get familiar with script development? What is your view on short form media?
Shelby
I guess what I am saying is don't let anyone crush your dreams. Yes, it is a hard industry to break into, but so is being a professional athlete or musician. Give it a shot for a few years and see how it goes, but also have a backup plan.
Good luck!
Mike Scarpiello - M.S. HCI
Updated
Ivo’s Answer
There is no clear path to a screenwriting career, compared to say becoming a dentist. The single most important aspect is developing your craft. You must become a writer who writes at a professional level. And this takes time. Years. Most writers write 5-10 screenplays before they're ready to write at a professional level. And not 1st drafts, but rewritten polished screenplays.
Some actionable steps:
-read great screenplays
-dissect great screenplays, what made them great, how were they structured, what made the characters stand out, how they build conflict, escalations, context, clarity, descriptions, actions, suspense and tension, dialog, etc.
-then write, write and write and get feedback from actual writers, and then rewrite, rewrite and rewrite
-write shorts and shoot them with your friends, or find filmmakers who are looking for shorts
-get a mentor
-take acting and improv classes
-look for development programs and labs
-Agents, managers, and everything else comes later
Some actionable steps:
-read great screenplays
-dissect great screenplays, what made them great, how were they structured, what made the characters stand out, how they build conflict, escalations, context, clarity, descriptions, actions, suspense and tension, dialog, etc.
-then write, write and write and get feedback from actual writers, and then rewrite, rewrite and rewrite
-write shorts and shoot them with your friends, or find filmmakers who are looking for shorts
-get a mentor
-take acting and improv classes
-look for development programs and labs
-Agents, managers, and everything else comes later
Thank you so much Ivo this is very useful information! Aside from being in school for Film I am considering taking a screenwriting course over the summer at Sundance. Do you think that would be a great choice? And how do you feel about short form content do you think it will be a new medium that sticks around? Or will die out with new technology?
Shelby
Hi Shelby, absolutely, good classes can be invaluable. Sundance is great, Gotham Writers is great, and various others. I'd look at reviews before signing up, just to make sure you're getting into classes with an excellent track record. And shorts...I think short form has exploded beyond anyone's imagination with platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, as well as paid platforms like klipist and weshort and many others. This is not going anywhere. I think features have more challenges than shorts in today's climate.
Ivo Raza
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hi, Shelby
This is only your Sophomore year at Film School so focus on your courses and school projects for now, screenwriting and pace yourself. You'll get to where you want to be when it's your time. In the meantime, enjoy every project you work on and continually strive for personal and professional growth.
On this page, you've expressed that you wanted to take Screenwriting at The Sundance Institute. If you have the time for it and can afford the fee, go for it ! You should be having Screenwriting courses in your Film School that you'd pay for, though. The thing with Sundance is that it is an intensive program which already began this year, and the intensive and program prepare you for your first and second feature film. My advice is that this program could be useful for anyone if they're ready for it. Read more about it and see how it fits in with your already established schedule at Film School. You wouldn't want to overload yourself.
So, it's not like you "get into" the screenwriting end, you write screenplays and submit them to places. If your screenplay is chosen, they contact you. And yes, networking is crucial in this field as well as making very, very strong connections at your Film School that you attend. A big plus for you is that you already live in Los Angeles. You should not be in film school for just the degree because you think others have a degree. Film School is the best path to develop your qualifications, not just for the piece of paper.
In a comment on this page, you also asked what is thought of about Short Form Media. Websites like it because it gives more clicks and interaction for their website, but besides that, I have no specific opinion about them. Some are really good quality and some are horrible, just like anything else. If it can be a way for you to get your work online, I say do it. Try everything.
The best mindset for this industry is to keep learning without worrying about when, how and where opportunities will come to you. They will. No one can tell you how your career will go.
You can register at various casting websites because sometimes they have notices for tech in Backstage and other sites you can do a search for. Also for extra work and other notices, register at Actors Access. Just make sure the gigs or projects do not interfere with your film school schedule.
I hope this is helpful and I wish you all the best in this most awesome field !
This is only your Sophomore year at Film School so focus on your courses and school projects for now, screenwriting and pace yourself. You'll get to where you want to be when it's your time. In the meantime, enjoy every project you work on and continually strive for personal and professional growth.
On this page, you've expressed that you wanted to take Screenwriting at The Sundance Institute. If you have the time for it and can afford the fee, go for it ! You should be having Screenwriting courses in your Film School that you'd pay for, though. The thing with Sundance is that it is an intensive program which already began this year, and the intensive and program prepare you for your first and second feature film. My advice is that this program could be useful for anyone if they're ready for it. Read more about it and see how it fits in with your already established schedule at Film School. You wouldn't want to overload yourself.
So, it's not like you "get into" the screenwriting end, you write screenplays and submit them to places. If your screenplay is chosen, they contact you. And yes, networking is crucial in this field as well as making very, very strong connections at your Film School that you attend. A big plus for you is that you already live in Los Angeles. You should not be in film school for just the degree because you think others have a degree. Film School is the best path to develop your qualifications, not just for the piece of paper.
In a comment on this page, you also asked what is thought of about Short Form Media. Websites like it because it gives more clicks and interaction for their website, but besides that, I have no specific opinion about them. Some are really good quality and some are horrible, just like anything else. If it can be a way for you to get your work online, I say do it. Try everything.
The best mindset for this industry is to keep learning without worrying about when, how and where opportunities will come to you. They will. No one can tell you how your career will go.
You can register at various casting websites because sometimes they have notices for tech in Backstage and other sites you can do a search for. Also for extra work and other notices, register at Actors Access. Just make sure the gigs or projects do not interfere with your film school schedule.
I hope this is helpful and I wish you all the best in this most awesome field !