How to Become a Movie Writer

Co-authored by Melessa Sargent and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: September 30, 2024 Approved

Have you ever wished you could be at a Hollywood premiere for something you’ve written? If you have a love of movies and creative writing, screenwriting could be a great career path for you. While it takes a lot of work and luck to be a professional screenwriter, there are a lot of things you can do to improve your chances. We know that you’re probably wondering how to break into the industry, so keep reading to find the answers to your most common questions!

Question 1 of 10:

How do I get better at screenwriting?

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1
Write as much as you can. The only way that you can get better is continuing to practice your craft. Whenever you have an idea for a script, try to flesh it out to build up your portfolio. As you continue writing, your work will have a lot more polish and look more professional.^{[1]
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- Try to set aside some time every day where you can write.
- Many industry professionals look for multiple scripts in your portfolio. If you only have 1 script, start working on another one so you have more to show off.
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Get some screenwriting books to help you improve your craft. Many professional screenwriters have written tips and tricks about how to write stories and format scripts. Try to read as much as you can so you can continue improving and keep your scripts interesting. Some great books to read include:^{[2]
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- Story by Robert McKee
- The Anatomy of Story by John Truby
- Save the Cat by Blake Snyder
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You can find many scripts available for free online, so try searching online for the name of the movie followed by “screenplay pdf.” Take note of how the dialogue and action are written, and how they format the story. Take inspiration from your favorites when you write your own scripts.^{[3]
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Question 2 of 10:

How do I write a good screenplay?

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Take time to outline your scenes so you nail down your story. Your outline is the roadmap for your entire script and lists every scene you’re going to write. Write down all of the things you want to include in your screenplay on index cards and organize them in the order you want the scenes in the script. Play around with a few different scene orders to help you find new and interesting ways to tell your story.^{[4]
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- It’s okay if you don’t know every single scene you want to write. Some of your ideas will come naturally while you’re writing.
- There isn’t an industry standard way to format your outline. Just organize it however works best for you.
2
Follow a story structure to hit the dramatic beats of your script. The 3-act structure is one of the most common you’ll see in a screenplay. When you plan your scenes, organize them so they all logically flow into one another to tell your story. Keep raising the tension until you hit the climax, which should be the most dramatic part of your script. Finish the script with a resolution to wrap up all of the events.^{[5]
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- You can experiment with other story structures too. For example, you could show multiple timelines to show characters at different points in their lives.
3
Use realistic and engaging dialogue to move your script along. Dialogue makes up most of a screenplay and helps move your story along. Whenever your characters speak, have them say something that propels them to the next beat of your story. Think about what needs to happen in the scene and how your characters would naturally react to what’s happening.^{[6]
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- Listen to how actual people talk so you can make your dialogue more believable.
- If you have trouble coming up with dialogue, write the very basic phrases you want to convey. You can always come back to it later. For example, you could just write in, “We have to get away from these zombies!” as placeholder dialogue.

Question 3 of 10:

What qualifications and experience do I need to be a screenwriter?

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Writing movies isn’t a traditional job. Some people become screenwriters while they’re young without any professional experience while others don’t get their starts until later in life. No matter where you are in your life, you can still try to work on screenplays.^{[7]
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If you want to be a screenwriter, you have to develop a love for writing and put the work in. Since agents and industry professionals will want to see multiple examples of your work, keep writing screenplays during your free time to add to your portfolio. Try working on a few different genres to show your range of talent.^{[8]
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A degree from a screenwriting program can be really helpful. Look for film schools that have screenwriting programs and apply. In college, you’ll learn the basics of screenwriting and work with other students to make short films. You’ll also be able to make connections with professors that may know people in the industry.^{[9]
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- Some of the top film schools in the United States include University of Southern California, UCLA, American Film Institute, New York University, and Columbia.

Question 4 of 10:

Do I need a degree to get into screenwriting?

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No, you can learn a lot of what you need online. Even though you make a lot of connections in college, you can still get almost all the screenwriting information you need for free online. If you want to save money, you can skip a screenwriting degree and just learn at your own pace.^{[10]
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- There are many screenwriting podcasts, such as Scriptnotes, The Writers Panel, and Draft Zero, that discuss the industry and give pointers to improve your writing.

Question 5 of 10:

How do I get people to notice my scripts?

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Post your script on The Black List. The Black List is an online service that helps unknown screenwriters get noticed. You can pay to host your script on their site and get reviewers to read it to see if it’s a good story. Each year, The Black List publishes a list of the most popular scripts that usually get made into movies.^{[11]
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- You can access The Black List here: https://blcklst.com/.
- You can make an account for free, but you must pay if you want to publicly list your scripts for industry professionals to read.
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Submit your script to screenwriting competitions. During screenwriting competitions, judges read through your scripts and grade them to find up-and-coming talent. Many writers get agents from competitions. There are many different screenwriting competitions, so research a few that accept the genre of script you’re writing. Be sure to research the competition ahead of time to make sure it’s a good fit.
- The Austin Film Festival and Nicholl competitions are both notable choices you can try submitting to.
- Attending film festivals is another great way to network and meet people in the industry.
If you have some friends or filmmaking equipment, try making some of your ideas on your own. Write something that you can easily make on your own since a big sci-fi epic with lots of action scenes gets really expensive. Share your work online so people can watch it. If you make something impressive, you might be able to network with professionals in the industry.

Question 6 of 10:

What is a screenwriting agent and will I need one?

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When you get a screenwriting agent, they’ll look for studios and producers that you could work with. They also help draft contracts with the studios so you’re getting the best deal for your writing. Since they have so many connections, your agent is an important person to help you really break into the industry.^{[12]
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Question 7 of 10:

How do I get an agent?

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Write query letters to agencies to see if they want to represent you. Research a few different screenwriting and talent agencies to see what type of clients they represent and to see if you would fit in well with them. In your query letter, mention why you think the agent should represent you right away. Give a short summary of your script and your personal bio as well so they know more about you. Leave your contact information in case they want to reach out to you.^{[13]
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- Some of the top agencies to write letters to include CAA, ICMP, UTA, and WME.
2
Network with other people in the film industry. Visit screenwriting conferences and film festivals so you can meet other people that are in your industry. Talk to other people that you meet and tell them about yourself. You can also try getting a job as an assistant to a studio or production company to help get your foot in the door.^{[14]
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- Living in a major city like New York or Los Angeles also increases your chances of networking with industry professionals.
3
Practice pitching yourself and your scripts. You’ll want to mesh well with your agent, so work on talking about the things that make you unique. Get comfortable sharing stories about yourself so you don’t feel nervous when you’re actually talking to an agent or industry professional. Since you’ll have to pitch your ideas as well, work on talking about your script in short and concise ways that make someone really interested in them.^{[15]
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- For example, you could pitch a movie like, “My script is about a kid traveling back in time who gets stuck in the 50s with teenage versions of his parents, and the only way he can get back is if he makes them fall in love.”

Question 8 of 10:

How do screenwriters get paid?

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You’ll usually get paid in installments for each draft. Once you sign a contract for your script, you’ll normally get a small portion of the money right when you start. As you deliver a draft of your script, you’ll get another fraction of the payment. Your payments depend on what you agreed to in the contract and how many drafts you’re expected to write.^{[16]
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- Sometimes, you won’t get a large portion of the money until after the movie finishes filming.
Each time the movie plays on TV or in airplanes, you get a small percentage of payment called a residual.^{[17]
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Question 9 of 10:

How much does a screenwriter make?

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The minimum amount per script is between $79,500–149,106 USD. While you may have heard of multimillion-dollar deals for screenwriters, you probably won’t make that much when you’re starting off. The amount of money you make depends on the type of screenplay and your contract. Once you sell a screenplay, you’ll make a minimum wage set by a writing union.^{[19]
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- You may make less money depending on your involvement in writing. For example, if you’re only writing the story or treatment, you’ll only make between $36,000–59,500 USD.
- Your agent will usually take around 10% of what you earn.

Question 10 of 10:

Do I have to live in Los Angeles to be a screenwriter?

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Since LA is one of the major film cities, you’re more likely to make connections with other people in the industry. If you’re just starting your first script, you can probably stay where you are, but you may need to make the move if you’re considering screenwriting professionally.^{[20]
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Question

Can I write a movie script and sell it?

Melessa Sargent
Professional Scriptwriter
Melessa Sargent is the President of Scriptwriters Network, a non-profit organization that brings in entertainment professionals to teach the art and business of script writing for TV, features and new media. The Network serves its members by providing educational programming, developing access and opportunity through alliances with industry professionals, and furthering the cause and quality of writing in the entertainment industry. Under Melessa's leadership, SWN has won numbers awards including the Los Angeles Award from 2014 through 2021, and the Innovation & Excellence award in 2020.

Melessa Sargent

Professional Scriptwriter

Expert Answer

Anyone can write a screenplay, even if they haven't gone to school for it. You just have to put your mind to it!

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Are there any scholarships, bursaries, learnerships, or similar for this industry?

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You can receive fellowships through contests. If you're attending film school, you'll have to check with your financial aid office.

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How long should a script be for a movie?

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This depends on whether you want to write a short-length film or a feature-length film. The general rule of thumb is 110 to 120 pages.

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Tips

It can be really tough to break into the industry, but don’t let that discourage you from writing! Just keep working on your scripts during your free time so you can keep improving.

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Keep your eyes out for inspiration for your next script. You never know what might give you your next great idea.

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