Unit 24: Task 1 - Working as a Writer

As part of preparation for writing my script I researched the commissioning process with my class mate, we divided up the research and swapped information before writing the overall report of our finding. To find out the information I used Skillset, BBC Writer's room and other blogs.

There are many job roles within the commissioning process, all of which are important.

The commissioning editor is a senior role in publishing who will commission or buy new authors, book titles or ideas for publication, they choose those that they believe will sell well.

The producer is a role that is not only involved in the commissioning process they are involved in the whole production but during the commissioning process they are responsible for selecting the screenplay or sometimes coming up with the idea for the production. They need to secure the rights and choose the screenwriter and story editing team. Producers can get the possible scripts from agents or on few occasions will find independent writers’ scripts.

The director is the creative force, at first visualising and defining the style and the structure and then responsible for bring it to life. They are held responsible for the film’s artistic and commercial success or failure and sometimes will write the script themselves or commission it to be written. Often, they are brought in during the early stages of the script and help to achieve the vision of the finished film.

Script editors provide a critical overview of the screenwriting process and help strengthen and develop the screenplay by giving a different perspective; they mediate between the creative desires and commercial needs by helping the producer and screenwriter realise the potential the screenplay has. They are responsible for helping map out the story and using this when writing and rewriting scenes. They are hired by the producer after the screenplay has been chosen.

Agents represent writers, they are very important in finding work for clients and developing relationships with producers, publishing houses and commissioning editors. They look for new talent to add to their existing roster but are approached by writers asking them to represent them – this is mainly because writers have a better and easier chance if they are represented as many production companies will not read or accept scripts if the writer is independent due to legal issues.

Writers are responsible for researching the story, developing the narrative and the writing the screenplay and delivering, in some cases this means writing to give the producer what they want/asked for. In some productions they work with the director to ensure that the film is going in the right direction, and writers of novels which are being adapted into films will work with directors to ensure that the film is following the book and that details are not missed.

Commissioning bodies are part of a company that choose which films and TV programmes should be considered for production.

An example of a corporation commissioning body is the BBC; through their website Writer’s Room they announce script opportunities which people can submit their scripts to if they fit the criteria. The BBC state this is not a competition but a means of seeking out the best writing talent, looking for writers with strong potential to be developed and produced for BBC broadcast. Professional script readers will assess all scripts submitted by reading at least the first 10 pages, during this time it is determined whether the script hooks attention and should continue or whether it should not be considered. If a script hooks the reader’s attention it then progresses to a 20-30 page read by a second reader who can recommend the script for a full read by a third reader. The scripts that get this far are the most promising scripts and staff may invite the writer to come in for an interview with the idea that the script is considered suitable for development opportunities. Feedback is given on scripts that make it to the full read through, in order to help writers in the future.

Independent production companies are smaller companies and work closely with agents; therefore it is advisable that as a writer you should hire an agent as they will have the right connections and knowledge as to what is best for you and your script. Many production companies will not read independent scripts from writers who are not represented due to legal issues and to avoid allegations of plagiarism.

Many independent directors choose to direct their own script as they have more power over the final product and more involvement during the production. Independent producers have the power to find and finance a screenplay therefore they have more control in the production process.

Organisations such as the BBC Writer’s Room not only give opportunities to aspiring writers but offer advice and help about writing to students and writers. Other production companies offer competitions, an example of this is the Red Planet Prize which is a competition ran through Red Planet Pictures and allows anyone based in the UK the ability to have their work produced by them. Each year, the criteria changes depending on what they are looking for; this year (2016) they are looking for a script for a 60 minute pilot and the prize is £5000 and 6 months of intensive development with an experienced script editor.

The role of the writer throughout the production is important in certain aspects.

In pre-production planning this is where the shooting script is established and necessary storyboarding is done, the script writer may be involved with this process however it is unlikely. During script editing the writer may help develop storylines, make it suitable for production and the target audience and ensure that it is sticking to the original idea map. The director and producer offer advice and opinions during the script editing process and after production is underway they may ask for the writer’s involvement and advice on particular parts. Page lock-down is the final plan of the script, what will be produced and what won’t be, this ensures that no rewrites or edits take place and it is easy to recognise the original and edited script. Shooting script production is where scenes are arranged in sequence of filming and camera angles and techniques are determined.

Working as a writer:

Agents represent writers and their written work to publishers, producers and studios. The amount of pay an agent receives depends on the client and the agent’s fixed percentage, although it is not a requirement many publishing companies will not accept clients without an agent.

Royalty payments are ongoing payments that are issued to a writer based on the sales of their work, the actual amount of money is determined in the initial contract – for example 10% of money made at the box office.

Time management is extremely important when writing a screenplay as spending too much time spent on details means you might end up with too many pages. If a writer thinks too much about characters and ideas they become hard to portray whereas the less time spent listing characters’ traits and mannerisms the more time there is to bring the characters to life through the actions. All parts of a script should have equal amounts of time spent on them and it is very helpful to take breaks when scriptwriting as extended hours spent waiting for an idea will only waste time.

Professional presentation is very important as if it is not set out correctly and professionally you may be judged on your professionalism and dedication to the task and job. In some cases your script will be rejected with it not being read as the potential client will not want to waste time with a jumbled messy script as time is money in this industry. Another note is that scripts need to be laid out correctly for everyone else who is going to read it – directors, actors etc.

An example of how a script is set out:

Legal and ethical considerations:

Copyright in work resides with the author/creator and is a right of ownership which can be transferred or licensed to another person. Usually you cannot copyright an idea only how the idea has been expressed.

Being biased means where you favour one side of a subject, without considering the other. A writer can give a message or moral to their audience but it must be done in an unbiased way and not force ideas or opinions on them but facts and evidence.

Censorship is where films and TV programmes are prevented from showing harmful, rude or inappropriate content towards their target audience. Each classification has different guidelines as to what is acceptable for each age range. Not only is the certificate present but normally a small statement explaining why it is that certificate.

Watershed is a time in which programmes targeted at adults and including adult themes are allowed to be broadcast on TV. In the UK the watershed time is 9pm therefore shows that are suitable for family viewing are allowed to be shown prior to this time and anything including violence, nudity etc. must be shown after.

Libel is putting into print something that will deliberately harm someone’s reputation and create hatred against them. To avoid legal issues, a writer will often use fake characters and settings. A disclaimer is used in sensitive matters.

Plagiarism is the act of taking someone else’s idea or work and trying to pass it off as your own. If a writer commits plagiarism the original author of that work has the right to take legal action.