What is Script Writing?
Script writing, also called screenwriting, is the act of writing original scripts for a piece of film or TV show, in order to suit the characters and protagonists of the show. The screenwriter is responsible for writing a screenplay from a TV serial or video pitch; and they can either be hired by a mass media company, studio or person to create a commissioned script, or the scriptwriter can be non-commissioned and their script may be bought by a producer, production company or studio. The latter is a known as a speculation (spec) script. The role of the screenwriter also entails creating a script to the utmost professional standard, in order for the audience to enjoy the film or programme.
Working as a Writer
The most important role of the scriptwriter is to write a script for the programme or film, for which they have been hired by a person, studio or producers. The screenwriter needs to have a flair, personal style and take risks with the script, effectively apply creativity to their original work. While there aren’t any specific requirements for a screenwriters to have any degree qualifications, most employers tend to look for a strong creative flair in scripts. A great example of this is the BBC writer’s room, that tends to value hard work and creativity, over degree qualifications; this allows for amateur script writers to submit spec scripts to show off their writing abilities. They look for script writers that have the most potential when it comes to development and being put into production for BBC broadcasting. Hence, creativity is encouraged and required more often by creativity teams behind creating content for television and videos, in order to have a constant presence of creative minds, that are able to come up with ideas and concepts in a short, limited amount of time. Apart from creativity, employers often also value communication, a professional presentation and quality of work. And while, several screenwriters hold Bachelor degrees, it is not a requirement for employment in companies or studios that are looking to hire creative personalities with developed writing skills.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
A script must be commissioned for copyright, before it goes into production, in order to avoid legal issues, copyright allegations from any pre-existing work. Hence, screenwriters must be very careful when copyrighting their work. Each scriptwriter will receive certain requirements of the studio or company that is hiring them. The hiring party may want to steer clear of a certain degree of sex, violence, nudity and sexual and racial issue; these topics may be limited or prohibited by the producers/company commissioning the script. If a writer conforms to these requirements, the employer receives a positive message that screenwriter is professional and able to conform to outlines and requirements provided by the company, while remaining a good level of creative and artistic dignity with the script. There are several legal and ethical issues that can stem from screenwriters not properly copyrighting their work. These regulations include plagiarism, copyright disputes, media bias, misrepresentation of minority populations in the UK, including races, genders, sexualities and ethnicities, and the requirements of censorship according to the OfCom guidelines, and the Watershed outlines. Any violations of ethical guidelines, can result in the termination of the script from the commissioning company, and may also ruin the scriptwriter's career. Additionally, going against legal regulations when it concerning script writing, can also result in termination of the screenwriter, along with severe legal chargers that may be entail prison time and law suits. However, amateur writers are more likely to be victimized by theft of their original work by the the commissioning company, if their script was submitted and not approved by the company/studio/producers.
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Copyright:
"[Copyright is] the exclusive and assignable legal right, given to the originator for a fixed number of years, to print, publish, perform, film or record literary, artistic, or musical material."
A copyright is a concept used by the UK government that "gives the creator of work the exclusive rights to it, however usually for a limited period of time. Copyrighting your work means that you are protected against plagiarism and that you have proof of ownership for that script. Writers must properly copyright their work otherwise their content and ideas will be stolen by another writer. On their manuscripts, the copyright must be clearly exposed. It must appear on the front cover of the script and on the foot of every page in the script. When the reader looks at the writers script, they will notice that it will not have the right to the steal content unless it has permission from the writer."
"[Copyright is] the exclusive and assignable legal right, given to the originator for a fixed number of years, to print, publish, perform, film or record literary, artistic, or musical material."
A copyright is a concept used by the UK government that "gives the creator of work the exclusive rights to it, however usually for a limited period of time. Copyrighting your work means that you are protected against plagiarism and that you have proof of ownership for that script. Writers must properly copyright their work otherwise their content and ideas will be stolen by another writer. On their manuscripts, the copyright must be clearly exposed. It must appear on the front cover of the script and on the foot of every page in the script. When the reader looks at the writers script, they will notice that it will not have the right to the steal content unless it has permission from the writer."
Media Bias:
Bias is concept that the views and opinions on a particular topic, especially if it is political, social or controversial (immigration issues political standpoints and affairs, etc.), need to be be balanced; since it is unethical and prejudiced to present only one point of view, while disregarding the other. The script writer may chose to present certain moral messages and ideas in their work, or try to inform others of a certain issue; however, the screenwriter must convey this in an unbiased way through a negotiated reading of their work; because people don't like it when they have views forced upon them, they would rather look at the evidence and draw their own conclusions (according to the reception theory).
Bias is concept that the views and opinions on a particular topic, especially if it is political, social or controversial (immigration issues political standpoints and affairs, etc.), need to be be balanced; since it is unethical and prejudiced to present only one point of view, while disregarding the other. The script writer may chose to present certain moral messages and ideas in their work, or try to inform others of a certain issue; however, the screenwriter must convey this in an unbiased way through a negotiated reading of their work; because people don't like it when they have views forced upon them, they would rather look at the evidence and draw their own conclusions (according to the reception theory).
Libel:
Producing a script with information based upon real events, people and places, in real life can be seen as libelous. if the script is based off of a real person, it must be made with care, taking into consideration the safety of that person, and their friends and family. A libel issue can be a crucial issue for scriptwriter, as it could end their career; it could affect a fiction or a non-fiction writer, and the screenwriter must write the truth about the personal experiences and events.
Producing a script with information based upon real events, people and places, in real life can be seen as libelous. if the script is based off of a real person, it must be made with care, taking into consideration the safety of that person, and their friends and family. A libel issue can be a crucial issue for scriptwriter, as it could end their career; it could affect a fiction or a non-fiction writer, and the screenwriter must write the truth about the personal experiences and events.
Plagiarism:
[Plagiarism is] the practice of taking someone's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own".
Plagiarism is the act of taking the work done by someone else, and trying to claim it as your own. Script writers must be very careful when releasing their work, making sure that it is completely original and unique. Severe actions can be taken against a screenwriter, is their work is found to be plagiarized, and can sometimes result in suing and even a prison sentence if the original writer chooses to take the other screenwriter to court, claiming theft or plagiarism. While ideas and concepts in scripts cannot be copyrighted or plagiarized, they can still be considered a form of theft, if the writer takes an original idea from another writer, passing it as their own (eg: characters, fictional places, etc).
[Plagiarism is] the practice of taking someone's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own".
Plagiarism is the act of taking the work done by someone else, and trying to claim it as your own. Script writers must be very careful when releasing their work, making sure that it is completely original and unique. Severe actions can be taken against a screenwriter, is their work is found to be plagiarized, and can sometimes result in suing and even a prison sentence if the original writer chooses to take the other screenwriter to court, claiming theft or plagiarism. While ideas and concepts in scripts cannot be copyrighted or plagiarized, they can still be considered a form of theft, if the writer takes an original idea from another writer, passing it as their own (eg: characters, fictional places, etc).
Censorship:
Censorship is "the suppression of film content which may be considered harmful to audiences. Film/TV programs often have guidelines which state what audiences the content is suitable for. The classifications are U, PG, 12A, 12,15,18 & R18. These classification guidelines protect groups of people, for example children viewing content that would be unsuitable for them. All films and television programs and even adverts have to be classified to protect viewers and to allow people to make appropriate choices. For example if an adult was choosing a film for a child then they would know that a 15 would be unsuitable for that child to watch. Censorship also protects people from offensive content, it does this by highlighting what the film/TV program contains, often on the back of the cover or in the TV guide if it is on television. It highlights content such as violence, nudity and swearing."
Censorship is "the suppression of film content which may be considered harmful to audiences. Film/TV programs often have guidelines which state what audiences the content is suitable for. The classifications are U, PG, 12A, 12,15,18 & R18. These classification guidelines protect groups of people, for example children viewing content that would be unsuitable for them. All films and television programs and even adverts have to be classified to protect viewers and to allow people to make appropriate choices. For example if an adult was choosing a film for a child then they would know that a 15 would be unsuitable for that child to watch. Censorship also protects people from offensive content, it does this by highlighting what the film/TV program contains, often on the back of the cover or in the TV guide if it is on television. It highlights content such as violence, nudity and swearing."
Watershed:
"Watersheds are the point of time at which adult programs may be broadcast on TV. Programs that contain things such as violence, nudity and sexual intercourse aren't allowed to be shown before watershed, and only programs that are suitable for family viewing are allowed to be broadcast. The time for watershed in the UK is 9pm." The content in script that may shown after the Watershed will be viewed fewer people than before Watershed.
"Watersheds are the point of time at which adult programs may be broadcast on TV. Programs that contain things such as violence, nudity and sexual intercourse aren't allowed to be shown before watershed, and only programs that are suitable for family viewing are allowed to be broadcast. The time for watershed in the UK is 9pm." The content in script that may shown after the Watershed will be viewed fewer people than before Watershed.
BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) is the primary regulator of everything that is released on Television in the UK, and OfCom (office of Communications) monitors the communication industries in the UK; and the Watershed is part of what the company regulates. Below are the ratings given to every piece of film released in cinemas and on TV in the UK; these quoted guidelines have been set by the BBFC.
Rated Universal:
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Rated PG (Parental Guidance):
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Rated 12A & 12:
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Rated R18:
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The Commissioning of Scripts
People Involved:
Script Writer
Has a developed skill set for writing screenplays for the basis of mass media such as, films, television programs, video games and radio.
Director
Responsible for interpreting the writer’s script through film/television production; managing lights, camera angles, blocking, acting, editing and mise-en-scene. The director controls the dramatic and artistic aspects of the film, visualizing the screenplay and leads the technical team of professional crew members and actors. The director also, alongside the casting director (sometimes, these two may be the same person), chooses the cast members, the production design and the more creative aspects of filmmaking.
Producers
Oversee the production of the film from the first pitch, to the promotion, and distribution of the TV serial or video. They manage the financial, administrative, legal and marketing aspects of production. They may also work closely with the director on set. They are often either hired by the production company/studio, or they work independently. And while the producers manage the more financial aspects of a film, they also play a big role in the making of the film, such as the choosing the script, and regulating and coordinating the writing, direction and editing.
Script editors
Adapt and modify the script accordingly to the pitch of the TV serial or video; in order to make sure that the script is an original piece of work and best fits the pitch, an example is David P. Davis, who edited the script for several Doctor Who episodes. Script writers can have several responsibilities such as finding new script writers, developing storylines and ideas with the writers and making sure that the script is suitable for production.
Agent
Provide the screenwriter with recognition and representation, pushing their ideas forward within the industry. The agents must be, in order for the writer to be successful, interested and passionate about their client’s work. Some agency companies in the UK are http://www.alanbrodie.com/ & http://www.casarotto.uk.com/. While many screenwriters don't have agents, it can certainly help new amateur script writers get some recognition and get their spec scripts to producers, studios and companies.
Commissioning editors
Essentially a buyer whose job is to advise the producers/production company/studio on which submitted script to pick for production. They also assign a budget, manage production while reporting to the heads of departments.
The BBC recently signed a code of practice contract with OfCom, allowing BBC to work independently from OfCom and commission scripts according to their own preferences and conduct research without any input from OfCom.
Script Writer
Has a developed skill set for writing screenplays for the basis of mass media such as, films, television programs, video games and radio.
Director
Responsible for interpreting the writer’s script through film/television production; managing lights, camera angles, blocking, acting, editing and mise-en-scene. The director controls the dramatic and artistic aspects of the film, visualizing the screenplay and leads the technical team of professional crew members and actors. The director also, alongside the casting director (sometimes, these two may be the same person), chooses the cast members, the production design and the more creative aspects of filmmaking.
Producers
Oversee the production of the film from the first pitch, to the promotion, and distribution of the TV serial or video. They manage the financial, administrative, legal and marketing aspects of production. They may also work closely with the director on set. They are often either hired by the production company/studio, or they work independently. And while the producers manage the more financial aspects of a film, they also play a big role in the making of the film, such as the choosing the script, and regulating and coordinating the writing, direction and editing.
Script editors
Adapt and modify the script accordingly to the pitch of the TV serial or video; in order to make sure that the script is an original piece of work and best fits the pitch, an example is David P. Davis, who edited the script for several Doctor Who episodes. Script writers can have several responsibilities such as finding new script writers, developing storylines and ideas with the writers and making sure that the script is suitable for production.
Agent
Provide the screenwriter with recognition and representation, pushing their ideas forward within the industry. The agents must be, in order for the writer to be successful, interested and passionate about their client’s work. Some agency companies in the UK are http://www.alanbrodie.com/ & http://www.casarotto.uk.com/. While many screenwriters don't have agents, it can certainly help new amateur script writers get some recognition and get their spec scripts to producers, studios and companies.
Commissioning editors
Essentially a buyer whose job is to advise the producers/production company/studio on which submitted script to pick for production. They also assign a budget, manage production while reporting to the heads of departments.
The BBC recently signed a code of practice contract with OfCom, allowing BBC to work independently from OfCom and commission scripts according to their own preferences and conduct research without any input from OfCom.
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BBC's Writer's Room:
All scripts sent into the BBC Writer's room must be commissioned by genre, taking into account the company/studio/producer the script writer has chosen to send their script to. Considering the company, the screenwriters are likely to get feedback on their scripts within 20 weeks or less; and BBC promises to be transparent and fair with the feedback, making sure its authentic, unbiased and not delayed.
All scripts sent into the BBC Writer's room must be commissioned by genre, taking into account the company/studio/producer the script writer has chosen to send their script to. Considering the company, the screenwriters are likely to get feedback on their scripts within 20 weeks or less; and BBC promises to be transparent and fair with the feedback, making sure its authentic, unbiased and not delayed.
Stages of Commissioning (UKTV & BBC)
- The screenwriter emails the company their script as a pitch, explaining their ideas and concepts for it.
- After the pitch has been submitted, it will be put into paid development, which will entail working up a more extensive treatment with additional research, as well as budgeting and scheduling for a series/film. This may also involve casting tapes, and full-blown pilots.
- Next, the commissioning department and channel editorial team work together on making a decision, using a two-tick system, allowing for creative debate and ensures the decision being made is rigorous about the commissioning of the most exciting ideas. This decides whether the project will be green-lit or not.
- Then, the screenwriter will either receive a confirmation or cancellation on their script and if it is approved, then the production department will work with the scriptwriter to finalize a budget and schedule for the project, working on the pre-production.
- Following this, the company will hold a pre-production meeting, where they will discuss, with the screenwriter, the project, and schedules, and the employment of different cast and crew.
- Succeeding this, the production will take place over the next months or even years, depending on the nature of the program/film.
- Finally, the project is edited and given finishing touches for its release on television on the channel it was pitched for.