Script writing Learning Aim A
- 1. UNIT 19 - SCRIPTWRITING. SECTION 1 - Obtaining work as a screenwriter (Commissioning.) JOB ROLES. Commissioning Editors - Commissioning Editors are the senior employees ofthe broadcastcompany,these people are responsible for selecting programme ideas and allocating where funds go.Theyhave creative input and oversee the writing process during production while specialising in a certain genre. Directors - Directors are in charge of taking ideas and the scriptthen pulling itall together,providing the creative vision from which the cinematographers /DoP, technicians and editors will work from.They also have the ability to interpret how they see the scriptworking which the writer has no control over. Script Editors - Script editors are the ones who provide an overview of the scriptwriting process while it happens,using analysis skills to identify any potential problems, however their jobs aren’tto come up with the solutions for said problems.They communicate between the Commissioning Editor,Writer and Producer, while also helping strengthen and develop the screenplays thatare written. Producers - A producer is the person who oversees all components ofthe production that the director doesn’t have control over : financial,legal and admin,they can originate a project, pitch, organise and finance it, then give it to as writer so they can develop said idea. Agents - Agents are the ones who are responsible for finding work for their clients while also organising contracts,negotiating deals and supporting /guiding the writers career at the same time.They are also expected to build rapportwith decision-makers in the industry. Writers - Writers are the ones who are responsible for researching the topic they are writing,they need to develop an engaging storythat has an emotional impacton the audience.They also need to appropriatelymatch the brief with a format that fits, they also have to be able to work both freelance and as part of a team. COMMISSIONING BODIES. Often with commissions,they are requested by someone,which falls under the title of being a ‘ commissioning body ’ as someone who has asked for that specific pitch to be produced for them. Corporations - When pitching an idea to a large corporation,this is done through pre-established bonds as itis safer,these people mayhave already worked for big companies in the past.These companies have complete ownership over all production stages,giving new writers the opportunity to have their scripts commissioned for their channel or company. Independent Companies - Independentcompanies typicallystrike deals with other companies in order to produce materials,writers can also directlysubmittheir scripts to the company,which may specialise in a certain genre and can work on a range of budgets. Organisations - Some organisations have been setup in order to assistnew writers starttheir career in media and script-writing,the WGGB (The Writers Guild of Great Britain) supports script-writers across a variety of sectors.Other organisations also include - BBC Writers Room,Good in a Room and The BFI FIlm academy. Competitions - There are a few screenwriting competitions thatallow your work to potentially reach agents, managers and producers,even though they aren’tan automatic gatewayto a career they can build contacts. Contests include - Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting,Austin Screenwriting Competition and FilmFreeway’s competition.
- 2. SECTION 2 - Working as a Writer. (The demands and requirements.) Professional Presentation - They mustensure theyproduce the industryaccepted formats,all sectors have different formatrequirements,fontand size are used to determine the length of films typically one page per minute.If the wrong formatis used then the scripts will mostlikelynot be read at all. Agent Representation - Agents are the ones who are in charge of looking after the workload and sales ofa client, how much pay they receive depends on the agreed percentage between the writer and agentwhich can be between 10 - 25%.The agent negotiates sales to publishers,some won’tacceptclients unless theyhave a representative agent,the more experienced agents you have the bigger advantage you will have. Royalty Payments - Payments received from books,films and scriptusage are called royalty payments,they're splitup between the writer, agent and producers ofthe piece of media. Time Management - When writing a script, dividing time correctly is very important,if time is thrown away writers can lose interestin finishing the scriptatall. When a scriptis commissioned there is pressure to get the script done sooner as there are multiple people relying on it to be done by a certain deadline,ifthis deadline is notmet, it can cause relationships to sour and the production to lose money. Handing over Control - After selling a scriptthe only rights the writer has are agreed with the purchaser, meaning theyare rarely involved in the developmentofthe film where they can come on to advise or even produce it. Scripts can also be “optioned” meaning a companywill buy the rights to it for a period of time with the option to make it, however while they hold the rights no one else can produce this script. SECTION 3 - The scriptwriting process. (Legal and ethical considerations.) Copyright- While an idea cannot be copyrighted, a script can be, by working digitally, a date is created in the file which causes it to automatically attach the copyright to you and the date, which lasts for the life of the creator as well as an additional seventy years on top of that. It is advised for you to put the copyright symbol and the front page and every page of the script, it can also be registered with a bank or solicitor. It can also be sent to yourself and not opened in order to prove when it was created. Plagiarism - When creating a script, writers have to be cautious of similarities their product may have to other existing pieces, it is an offence to violate someone’s copyright or trademark. These are typically settled via the original creator receiving a credit for the work, which makes them eligible to collect royalties and profits. While plagiarism can be word for word copying, it can also mean changing some words or copying ideas and arguments. Copying is established as being unacknowledged and dishonest. Libel - Libel is the writing of inaccurate or malicious content about an individual, business or group in a written piece of text or in a broadcast. When the writers are researching the topic they have to be thorough with it to avoid legal issues via misinterpretation if it is taken to court, in order to collect damages, individuals must prove malice was indeed intended by the writer. Bias- Bias is often an ethical issue when writing fiction, the writer needs to consider how various groups, people, events, businesses, organisations are represented. In media production, “representation” has always been a large issue, when writing it should always be thought of. This becomes an even larger issue in non-fiction, tv programmes like BBC News have committed to be fair, balanced and unbiased in their opinions.
- 3. Censorship - When writing a script, writers need to consider their audience, The BBFC are known to have strict guidelines on what can and cannot be shown in different media outlets. In order to make an appropriate subject matter pieces may need to be cut and/or censored, these scenes typical include sexual content, violence, discrimination, violence, drug use and strong language, however it depends on how the material is presented and who the audience are. Watershed - In the Uk, free to view television start their watershed at 9pm until 5.30am, however on premium services where you need to pay they typically start the watershed. Programmes rated 15 and above cannot be shown before the watershed however any TV shows rated 12 or under can be shown before. On programmes that require a PIN like Sky Movies there is no watershed, however if you do try to view adult material before 8pm you will need to insert the PIN. Rated 18 content is often not aired until 10pm to allow a transition between rated 12, rated 15, and rated 18 shows. However, R18-rated content is not allowed whatsoever, it requires editing to fit television guidelines.