Screenwriters Provide the Blueprint of Cinema

They furnish the story, the characters, the dialogue, and other elements for the director, producer, and actors. A screenwriter furnishes the written blueprint of a film or television series episode. A screenwriter devises the concept, the characters, the conflict, and other pillars of the screenwriting process, and then delivers the final draft to the producer. Their work involves proposing an enticing, page-turning plot and conflict, forming characters, writing the dialogue, and providing the overall structure of the story. Here’s a breakdown of what a screenwriter typically does:

Pillars of the Screenwriting Process

Screenwriting is essentially a novel on screen. It encompasses thinking of a concept or premise, then expanding it into a story or conflict that has characters, dialogue, and the three-act structure. A screenwriter must master this group of competencies in order to reach the professional level of screenwriting, meaning the level where producers can produce their scripts. A screenwriter can spend years refining their competencies and expanding their experience to build a portfolio of scripts.

Whatever their genre(s), a screenwriter focuses on telling an enticing story with subtextual dialogue. Common mistakes in screenwriting are slipping into telling, rather than showing, and relying on dialogue, even if inadvertently, to tell a story. A screenwriter needs to rely on “action” and characters’ motivations to drive the conflict forward. Another common mistake is when the characters sound too similar, indicating the characters do not “stand out” and the audience cannot relate to them. Yet, a third common mistake is a “static” protagonist—a protagonist that does not undergo a change in the 3^rd act. So, a screenwriter needs to literally master many competencies to have a portfolio of scripts for potential agents.  

Screenwriters face a boon now with the globalization of the media and the proliferation of content on screen. Screenwriting is becoming increasingly global with the globalization of the media (film and television) industries. Storytelling is becoming increasingly multi-cultural and cross-continental. Thus, you, as a screenwriter, can enjoy the plethora of opportunities you can find, learn from the challenges or hurdles you inevitably would face, and benefit or make the most of many sources of wisdom, insight, and advice online in the industry.