Creating Career Path...

Finding Further Careers...

Media & Film

Screenwriter

View this career for different education levels:

Primary Secondary Post-16

A screenwriter is responsible for crafting scripts for films, television programmes, or online video content. The job involves creating dialogue, building character arcs, and structuring stories to suit a particular medium. Screenwriters often work closely with directors, producers, and other creative professionals to bring stories to life on screen. In the UK, screenwriters may be commissioned by production companies, enter competitions, or pitch their own scripts. The industry is highly competitive, with many roles being project-based or freelance. Success as a screenwriter often depends on building a strong portfolio, networking, and adapting to the needs of different genres and audiences.

Screenwriter

Flag Media

Please select a reason for flagging this content.

📊 Statistics

Average Salary

The average salary for a screenwriter in the UK typically ranges from £22,000 to £50,000 per year, though well-established writers can earn much more on successful projects.

Number of Employed Screenwriters

There are estimated to be around 3,000 to 5,000 professional screenwriters working in the UK, though many work on a freelance basis.

Freelance and Contract Work

Around 80 percent of UK screenwriters work freelance, often juggling multiple projects at once.

🚀 Careers in this path

Flag Media

Please select a reason for flagging this content.

Television Drama Writer

Specialises in writing scripts and storylines for dramatic television series, working closely with producers and directors to develop episodes.

Flag Media

Please select a reason for flagging this content.

Feature Film Scriptwriter

Focuses on creating original or adapted scripts for full-length films, collaborating with film producers and directors to bring stories to the big screen.

Flag Media

Please select a reason for flagging this content.

Children's Animation Scriptwriter

Writes scripts and dialogue specifically for animated television shows or films aimed at children, ensuring content is age-appropriate and engaging.

Develop Writing Skills

Study English and Media

Focus on English, Media Studies, or Drama at GCSE and A-level to build strong writing and storytelling skills.

Taking courses in English Literature, Media Studies, or Drama helps you understand story structure, character development, and dialogue. These subjects will improve your analytical thinking and creativity, which are essential for screenwriting. Participate in school writing clubs or theatre productions to gain practical experience.

Read and Watch Scripts

Read professional film and TV scripts and watch a wide range of films and shows to understand different genres and styles.

You can access scripts online for free from various resources. Analysing how scenes are written and structured will help you learn industry standards. Watching films and TV critically will help you spot storytelling techniques you can use in your own writing.

Gain Screenwriting Experience

Write Your Own Scripts

Start writing short scripts for films, TV episodes, or web series to practise and develop your unique voice.

Begin with short scripts, such as 5 to 10-minute films, and gradually work up to longer projects. Share your scripts with friends, teachers, or online communities for feedback. Enter your scripts into writing competitions to gain recognition and constructive criticism.

Get Involved in Local Productions

Collaborate with local filmmakers, student groups, or community theatre to see your scripts produced and gain practical experience.

Look for opportunities at local colleges, universities, or community arts centres where emerging filmmakers often seek scripts. Volunteering your writing for small productions can help you learn how scripts are brought to life and build valuable contacts in the industry.

Build a Professional Portfolio

Create a Collection of Scripts

Develop a varied portfolio that includes samples of your best work across different genres and formats.

A strong portfolio might include a feature film script, a TV pilot, and a few short film scripts. This demonstrates your versatility and skills to potential employers, agents, or collaborators. Continuously update your portfolio with new and improved scripts as you gain more experience.

Network and Pitch Your Work

Attend industry events, workshops, and festivals to meet professionals and pitch your scripts.

Networking is key in the screenwriting industry. Attend film festivals, writing workshops, and industry panels where you can meet producers, agents, and other writers. Prepare short pitches for your scripts and be ready to share your portfolio when opportunities arise.

🎯 View Apprenticeships

Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Screenwriter. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.

🎓 View Apprenticeships

Career Progressions

No career progressions found for Screenwriter

Sample Qualifications

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • applying directly
  • specialist courses run by private training providers

University

You could do a degree or postgraduate qualification to improve your job prospects, though this is not essential. Useful subjects include:

  • creative writing
  • English
  • media and communications
  • film studies
  • journalism
  • psychology

You should aim to get as much experience of reading other people's and writing your own scripts, alongside your studies.

Your university careers service can give advice on societies, work experience, internship and year placement opportunities that will help you build your creative network and develop your skills.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

More Information

College

When you're starting out you may find it useful to take a college course to help develop your skills and understand dramatic structure and production.

Courses are available in:

  • creative writing
  • scriptwriting
  • creative and digital media

Adult education centres, colleges and universities sometimes run short courses in writing for screen.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Direct Application

If you want to get directly into this job, you may have an advantage if you have writing and storytelling experience from another field like journalism, advertising copywriting or acting.

You'll normally start by coming up with your own screenplays and ideas, and trying to sell them to agents and producers. Once you've had some work accepted and started to build a professional reputation, producers might then commission you to produce scripts for them.

Other Routes

You could take short courses in screenwriting run by film schools, regional screen agencies and private training providers.

More Information

Career tips

As a new writer, you could get yourself noticed by entering screenwriting competitions. These competitions are run by broadcasters and regional screen agencies to discover new talent.

You can also find advice about submitting your work to the BBC at BBC Writers.

Create a LinkedIn profile to connect with people in the industry and make sure you have a portfolio to show your skills.

Further information

You can get more advice on writing careers in film and TV from ScreenSkills.

You can get more information on working in creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.

Interested in More Career Paths?

Explore other careers or use our AI to discover personalised paths based on your interests.

Browse All Careers Generate New Career Path

Stay connected

Join our newsletter to stay up to date on features and releases

Address
Developing Experts Limited
Exchange Street Buildings
35-37 Exchange Street
Norwich
NR2 1DP
UK

Phone
01603 273515

Email
[email protected]

Developing Experts

LessonsAboutResearchReportingPlans & Pricing

Legal

GDPRPrivacy PolicyTerms and ConditionsCookie Policy

Contact Us

Get in touchRequest SubscriptionChildren's CodeAbout UsCareers

Copyright 2025 Developing Experts, All rights reserved.