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Becoming a screenwriter requires education, reading and writing screenplays, and networking in the film industry. Formal education is not necessary, but can provide valuable connections. Reading scripts and writing consistently is crucial, as is building a network through volunteering and attending events. Success as a screenwriter also requires luck.
Choosing to become a screenwriter is a bold career move that can take years of training and trust in luck and skill. However, screenwriting is an exciting profession that can lead to a crucial and deeply creative role in the film industry. While anyone with a computer or laptop can write a screenplay, to become a screenwriter it is important to get an education, read and write screenplays, and develop a network in the film industry.
While some attend film school and earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree, formal education is not the only path to filmmaking. Some screenwriters prefer to educate themselves by reading how-to books, attending casual classes or screenwriting seminars, and just writing nonstop. One benefit formal education can provide is the opportunity to meet other young filmmakers and industry professionals, an experience that can be worth in gold when trying to make a film or sell a script. On the other hand, film school can be extremely expensive and leave a screenwriter with a large loan debt, which can hinder professional advancement. It is important to carefully weigh the pros and cons of film school versus self-education, as this can greatly influence later steps on the path to becoming a screenwriter.
While it’s obvious, a screenwriter needs to read the scripts and write them. Reading scripts will give an aspiring writer a keen eye for analysis, which will come in handy when rewriting personal work. In addition, reading scripts helps you incorporate the principles of screenplay formatting, which is essential for writing a professional script. Writing screenplays is, of course, the bread and butter of a screenwriter’s job; most professional writers have at least one script in the works at all times, but many simultaneously juggle two or three projects at various stages of development in order to keep their writing schedule consistent.
The film industry is, at heart, a collaborative business, and a film cannot be produced by just one aspiring screenwriter. Forging contacts throughout the film industry is crucial to career success and can be a lot of work for a screenwriter. Living in a film-producing city, such as Los Angeles or New York, is often essential for meeting agents, managers, producers, and other film professionals who can help a screenwriter forge a career. To build a strong network, consider volunteering to work on student productions or independent films, attending screenwriting seminars, and spending time at film festivals.
While none of these steps can guarantee a successful career as a screenwriter, they can help a talented writer improve their chances of finding work. A big part of becoming a screenwriter includes a great deal of luck, like finding the right person looking for the right script at the right time. While choosing to become a screenwriter can take years of dedication and perseverance, seeing “written by” on the silver screen for the first time can make it all worth it.
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