Working As A Writer

The role that a screenwriter has is to write a script and stage directions for the film.  They start off by having a great idea then they develop the idea by writing out the storyline and further ideas. Then they write out the full idea including the storyline, stage directions and script. A potential problem they may have is they may have a busy lifestyle which means they won’t have enough time or they may lack in motivation. The next step is to get the first draft screenplay out to the studio, so the Agent takes or sends it to the studio executives.

The next process is the reader writing coverage on the screenplay. The employed reader will read through the screenplay and write a report on it which is a summary on the screenplay including the main ideas, characters and genre. A negative in this process is the reader may not understand the screenplay and what kind of feel the screenwriter is trying to put across which could result in having an inaccurate report written. Once the report is written, the reader gives it to the executive producer and he/she will decide whether or not to give the screenwriter a chance to pitch because they like the story or because they believe the story has high potential.

The screenwriter then pitches his screenplay idea in front of directors, producers and other important people that would be involved in the production of the film. A negative of this stage is that the writer may be bad at public speaking or lacks in confidence which may not allow him to put across his screenplay ideas how he would like them to be portrayed. But it could be a positive because the screenwriter could put his point across better whilst speaking rather than writing because he could add feeling by his body language and tone of voice, and add more descriptive words whilst speaking. He could also answer any questions or queries that they people he’s pitching to, have straight away which would be efficient.

After he’s pitched, if the producer likes his story they will hire him and then the screenwriter will work with the director, producer, editor, executive producer and some other people to discuss the screenplay. They will put their ideas together to create a well detailed script and stage directions to make it more organised and easier on set. The directors will add in information such as camera angles and different actions. The screenwriter could add in information and extra details that he feels will make the film even better. A problem that there could be is there could be a clash of ideas between the group members and even the screen writer could get sacked by the executive producer if the clash continues and they will still use the screenplay.

The final stage the screenwriter is involved in, in the commissioning process is the production of the film. This involves the crew which consists of the: Camera operator, Grip, Director, Producer, Line producers and the Actors. They film scenes for the film including any visual and audio, adding non-diegetic sound later on in the editing process.