When you are watching a horror movie, have you ever wondered why is that particular character going to the attic when obviously the ghost is present there? Why is she climbing the crooked stairs? Why are the children planning to play in the house that they know is haunted? I have so many times called those kinds of actions stupid, thinking I would have never done it.
But in retrospect, I think if they didn’t I would have left the theatre hall and won’t have gotten the experience I paid for. This is a significant part of screenwriting where the writer doesn’t have to write in a logical sense but write in dramatic order. The audience despite being logical enjoys the surprise element in movies which are written for dramatic effect. This is where screenwriting makes the audience the main character and not the movie characters.
If this chunk interests you in becoming a screenwriter, read the blog to know more about the career. What does a screenwriter do? What are the various job roles? How much can you earn? What are the growth prospects? And much more will be revealed in the blog and will give you a complete insight into the career as a screenwriter.
Dramatic screenplays for movies and television are created by screenwriters. They could create this from scratch, turn an existing tale into a screenplay, or collaborate on an ongoing production (TV).
It takes more than simply knowing how to write dialogue and plot lines; you also need to know about the entire film business. Screenwriters craft their scripts so that readers can picture the location, the mood, and how it will play out on screen. For this, their story needs to be presented on screen as effectively as possible, and therefore collaborate closely with directors, producers, and performers. Thus, you must develop the characters, the framework, the plot, and the payout.
But what do they do other than just sitting and writing, you mean? They will be present on TV sets throughout filming to respond to queries from actors about their characters. The same is true with films. They’ll aid in problem-solving by enhancing the narrative or changing the conversation.
There are numerous tasks that scriptwriters perform. They can work in a large room only assisting filmmakers in breaking worlds or developing backstories for TV shows; they are not limited to just delivering stories. Your day will be filled with a variety of activities, including writing, breaking stories, visiting sets, speaking with tech consultants, revising, and more. The obligations of a writer in cinema and television are always expanding, changing, and changing again.
Becoming a screenwriter is not an easy job as it requires quality content on your part. But there are various writing roles that you can try:
These are some of the writing jobs that involve transferable skills to screenwriting. Other than these, the type of screenwriting jobs available is very less. However, here are a few you can try if you find them:
There is no mandatory subject requirement that is required to become a screenwriter. Thus after 12th, there are various ways you can become a screenwriter:
PATH 1:
You can choose any stream in 11th and 12th grade. Post the 12th, you can pursue a Bachelor in Arts (B.A.) in Literature or B.A. in Film studies. After completing your undergraduate degree you can get a job or you can choose to pursue higher education. A Masters in Mass communication or journalism or M.A. in Fil studies can also open paths to becoming a screenwriter.
PATH 2:
After choosing any stream in 12th, you can go for Bachelor in Fine Arts (BFA), followed by a Masters in Fine Arts (MFA). Depending on the specializations that the college offers, you can choose one based on writing.
PATH 3:
Post 12th, another option you can choose is to go for Bachelor in Journalism and Mass media (BJMC). It is a three or four years undergraduate degree that examines every facet of various forms of mass communication as well as the methods used to gather, convey, and subsequently disseminate news to the general public. After this degree, you can go for a Master’s in Journalism and Mass Media which will help you get an edge while applying for jobs.
To get more information on the degrees, you can check out our blog on How to become a screenwriter.
The average gross pay for scriptwriters in India is 10,27,143.
Wage estimates based on data from anonymous Indian employees and employers via salary surveys have found the following data:
| Experience level | Entry-level | Middle level | Senior level |
| Salary/ year | 3,60,000 | 10,27,143 | 12,90,242 |
By 2026, it is anticipated that there will be 8% more employment openings for screenwriting positions. They must, however, operate alone for extended periods of time.
Additionally, the field of scriptwriting is challenging and competitive, with many unknowns. If you are successful, it can be a very lucrative job, although the income is relatively low at first. Before producing a script, research about individuals and subjects often requires some travel. It is not the best career for those seeking a steady salary and job stability.
Fame is not a given of the career. However, if you’re keen on leveraging your writing abilities to create stunning stories and scripts that will look fantastic on film, and if your passion for writing with creative freedom outweighs your ambition to rapidly become well-known and wealthy, this can be a suitable career choice for you.
Screenwriters usually work for the film and TV industries. However, there are also a few other areas where you can be a screenwriter:
Screenwriters usually freelance their work. However, there are certain agencies that you can check out if you want to start fresh:
If you’re unsure about a job as a screenwriter, you may test it out by registering for a range of time- and money-saving online courses or as a way to upskill yourself. There is no prerequisite for them, thus you can enrol in them after getting your 10th grade.
| Certificate Course | Duration |
| Beginning Screenwriting made easy- Screenwriting course | 2.5 hours of video content (self-paced) |
| Screenwriting Workshop | 7 hours of video content (self-paced) |
| Scriptwriting: Write a pilot episode for a TV or web series | 1-3 Months |
| Learn Screenwriting with movies you know | 1-hour content (self-paced) |
| Creative Writing: The Craft of Plot | 1-4 Weeks |
As mentioned previously, there is no mandatory subject requirement to become a scriptwriter. However, there are certain undergraduate degrees that you can pursue to become a screenwriter
Some of the undergraduate courses that help you in becoming a screenwriter in India are:
| Undergraduate Degree | Duration |
| Bachelors in Journalism and Mass Communication | 3 Years |
| B.A. in Literature | 3 Years |
| Bachelor in Fine Arts | 4 Years |
| B.A. In Film Studies | 4 Years |
Some of the post-graduate degrees that you can pursue include:
| Post-graduate degree | Duration |
| M.A. in Film Making | 2 years |
| Masters in Journalism and Mass communication | 2 Years |
| Masters in Fine Arts | 2 Years |
The undergraduate course abroad differs in course curriculum, structure and approach to teaching. Some of the courses that you can check out abroad include:
The undergraduate course takes 3-4 years to complete. Similarly for Masters, some of the options that you can check out include Master of Screenwriting, MFA in Screenwriting, and MA in Screenwriting. These take around 1-2 years to complete.
Entry into these courses will require you to give language proficiency test scores of IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, SATs, etc along with an SOP (Statement of Purpose) and LORs (Letter of Recommendation). Want some help with SATs? We have got you covered. Read this blog to know more!
Want to boost your chances of getting admission abroad? Sign up for the Clever Harvey JuniorMBA Advertising Course and add a real industry project to your student portfolio.
Some of the books that you can read include:
When you enjoy travelling to a fictional world with characters, scriptwriting can be enjoyable. It helps to have a basic understanding of human behaviour while writing conversations and setting up scenes. Therefore, in addition to having good English skills, make sure you are aware of the fundamentals of human psychology.
Screenwriters craft their scripts so that readers can picture the location, the mood, and how it will play out on screen. When writing and rewriting their script, they collaborate with producers, directors, and performers while frequently meeting deadlines. Almost always independent contractors, and screenwriters.
The phrases “screenwriter” and “scriptwriter” are sometimes used interchangeably, however, the job title may give some indication of how the writer intends to use his or her script. The term “screenplay” is used to refer to scripts written by screenwriters that are prepared for usage in film, television, and theatre.
Although it’s not necessary to have a degree to create screenplays, it could help you further your career. There are numerous institutions, universities, and film schools that provide bachelor’s degree programmes in screenwriting, cinema studies, and television writing.
As it has been for decades, screenwriting is in great demand and most likely will remain so for decades to come. However, many people struggle to keep a profitable profession going and obtain regular work. However, there are many prospects for screenwriters who produce viable screenplays.
Some of the Celebrated Script Writers from Indian Cinema include Satyajit Ray, Jaideep Sahni, Anjum Rajabali, Vishal Bhardwaj, and KV Vijayendra Prasad.
A full-time writing position normally requires a bachelor’s degree. Since this job requires writing abilities, many employers favour applicants with degrees in English, journalism, or communications.
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