Unit 19 - Learning Aim A

The Scriptwriting documentary-the role and responsibilities of scriptwriters: 

What is a script? 

• A script is a type of text of a play or movie that provides as an introduction to something that should be improvised by a specific section. 

What is a script purpose?  

•  The screenplay works as an organisational and structuring tool, as well as a reference and a guide for all actors in the production. The script attempts to explain the film's ideas to everyone involved in the making in a clear, simple, and creative way. 

Scriptwriter: 

• A scriptwriter is a person who writes scripts for films, radio, games or television programmers. 

• Films: 

• In film, initially, scriptwriters develop three drafts of a screenplay, with the third being known as ‘the polish.’ This is the version that gets pitched to a producer or film studio. Alternatively, a scriptwriter may be commissioned by a producer or studio to create a screenplay. 

• Scriptwriters work with directors and producers to write scripts for films. 

• A degree is not necessary, but many scriptwriters perfect their skills through bachelor's degree programs or by enrolling in scriptwriting certificate programs. 

• Scriptwriters must also be able to understand filmmaking, possess creative writing skills and be an expert in film language. 

• Radio: 

• Radio news script writers compose stories about local and national current events for radio broadcasts. Some journalists do both the investigation and reporting, while others write news stories from information submitted by reporters. 

Radio Script Types 

• Radio comes in all shapes and sizes, but there are two categories most shows can be placed in talk radio and music radio. 

Talk radio script: 

• Because this type of radio is focused on specific topics and conveying information in interesting ways, it can help to script out what you want to say to avoid needless waffling or you or your presenter running out of things to say. 

Music radio script: 

• A music radio script may have less fully scripted passages and more notes and bullet points to guide the presenter through. This is because music radio is meant to feel more improvised than, say, news or talk radio shows. 

• Television: 

• A television writer is responsible for the production of a television series from the beginning processes of writing a script to the launch of a pilot episode. They prepare scripts for a wide range of television programs including soap operas, comedies, dramas and documentaries. 

• Games: 

• Writing for games is a highly collaborative process. In most cases writers will be given a loose sequence of events and locations and be told to “make it work.” The story of a game is the result of many people and disciplines working together with conflicting needs and goals. The game will inevitably go through many stages of iteration and change – and most of it will be out of your control or influence. 

Skills and qualities 

 As a Scriptwriter, you will need:  

• Excellent language and writing skills. 

• Creativity and imagination to produce original ideas. 

• Motivation and a strong belief in your work. 

• Resilience to cope with rejection and having to rewrite scripts. 

• Networking skills, for marketing and promoting your work. 

• To feel comfortable working on your own. 

• Time-management and organisational skills to meet deadlines. 

• ICT and typing skills to word process scripts. 

Why do scriptwriters have different roles and responsibilities? 

• Scriptwriters create their scripts in a way that readers can imagine the environment, emotion, and how it will play out on screen. They write and edit their script in collaboration with producers, directors, and actors, typically under timelines. Screenwriters are always independent contractors. 

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF SCRIPTWRITERS IN THE MEDIA INDUSTRY 

Obtaining work as a scriptwriter 

How do screenwriters get hired? 

• Screenwriters get hired when an agent, manager or producer pitches the writer’s script to a prospective film company then which they option from the screenwriter. 

Three ways that a scriptwriter can get hired 

• Apply for Fellowships 

• A fellowship is a contest in a different field, including screenwriting. To submit a screenplay or other written text as a sample. Because of the strict specific application, fellowships are available at all times of the year. 

• Pitches 

• Once a writer has found a strong positive relationship with a company or is given the opportunity to pitch in a meeting with their agent. The producers may ask as to what else the writer is working on or has written. This is an excellent time for the writer to propose one of the company's other projects. 

• In House Ideas 

•  Many companies have their own CEOs that research the industry and determine what would be beneficial based on their previous performance. They usually have suggestions about what would work. These decisions may be financially motivated, yet they hire a creative writer or a team of writers to help them develop their ideas. 

Two media sectors 

• Video  

• Many video games companies employ in-house writers to oversee the development of their games' scripts. Large, well-known, and successful game company may employ a group of writers to collaborate on story concepts, scripts, character design, and editing and changes. 

• Television 

• There are a lot of different ways to work as a screenwriter for television, but the most straightforward are to work as a writer's assistant on a TV show and work your way up to being a staff writer on the show, write an original pilot or three that gets you signed with a manager who can set up meetings with showrunners, and partner with a production company who will option your show and give it to the screen. 

Case study-Television- Sharon Horgan 

Who is scriptwriter? 

• Sharon is an Irish actor, writer and comedian, and the co-founder of the production company MERMAN. 

Project? 

• Catastrophe, Divorce, This Way Up, There She Goes, Women on the Verge, Motherland, plus many more. Projects currently in development are Shining Vale, Therapy Dog, Guru and Dirty and Delilah. 

How did get work? 

• She made her television debut at 18 years age on Jo Maxi in 1989, when she appeared as an amateur back-up dancer to her friends' band. 

Writing process? 

• In 2015, she received her first Emmy nomination for writing for a British comedy series in nine years for Catastrophe. After being disappointed with her options, she created and starred in the series Pulling in 2006. Sharon's debut short film, The Week Before Christmas, received critical praise and went on to win the Outstanding Achievement Award at the International 3D Awards. She recently directed an episode of Amazon Prime Video's comedy anthology Modern Love. Sharon will soon be making her feature film directorial debut for Focus Features, with an adaptation of the novel The New World. 

Awards? 

• Sharon Horgan is an Irish actor, writer, producer, and director who is best known for co-writing and playing in the multi-award-winning comedy Catastrophe with Rob Delaney. In 2016, they shared the BAFTA TV Craft Award for Best Writing in a Comedy Series, which they won together. Sharon has been nominated for three BAFTA awards for her comedy performances, as well as a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series. Sharon's BBC show Pulling, which she co-wrote and acted in, was nominated for two BAFTA Awards and won two British Comedy Awards. 

Writer 

• Sharon Horgan is a scriptwriter who writes on a mix of genre series. Pulling, a film she co-wrote with Dennis Kelly and performed in, was Horgan's career breakthrough. Donna, an irresponsible marketing manager who cancels her wedding at the last minute, and one of three women sharing a flat in Penge, south London, was portrayed by her. It was well-known for its wide comedy about sex and alcohol consumption. In 2007 Horgan wrote Angelo's directed by Chloe Thomas and in June 2012 Horgan starred in Dead Boss, a sitcom set in a prison, which she wrote with comic Holly Walsh. She co-starred in and co-wrote the sitcom Catastrophe with American comedian Rob Delaney from 2015 to 2019. Catastrophe was loosely based on their own life experiences, according to both. Divorce (2016-2019), a US comedy series starring Sarah Jessica Parker about a New York lady going through a long divorce, was also written by her. After the pilot episode, HBO announced in April 2015 that the series had been picked up, marking Parker's first significant acting commitment since Sex and the City. She also worked as an executive producer. Horgan wrote and directed the short Dreamland, which won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Short Form Programme in 2018, as well as an episode of Modern Love titled "Rallying to Keep the Game Alive" (2019). Motherland (2017-present) on BBC Two is a show about negotiating the difficulties and tragedies of middle-class motherhood, looking at the competitive side and unromantic view on parenting - not the adorable and acceptable public face of motherhood, which is now in its third series. Shining Vale, a horror-comedy series for Starz, she co-created, and executive produced with Jeff Astrof. The lead actor Courteney Cox has been cast in the film. She is also co-writing a half-hour dramedy for Hulu with Kate Folk, which will be set in the realm of technology and dating and is based on Folk's short story "Out There" in The New Yorker Magazine. Merman, the production firm founded by Horgan and Clelia Mountford, is involved in all three of these projects. 

Demands and requirements 

Three ways scriptwriters develop their skills within their sector 

Skills 

• Research skills 

• Time Management 

• Organisational skills 

• Working Collaboratively 

• Networking 

• Communication 

• Awareness of current trends and/or current affairs. 

Networking 

• Scriptwriter networking is important to any screenwriter's success. People knowing people, referring people, befriending people – this is how films and television are made in the film industry. Networking is crucial for scriptwriters. It is the most effective method for getting a script in front of an agency, studio executive, or producer. Many locations have networking events where screenwriters may meet like-minded artists and others who could be interested in developing their script into a film. 

Effective 

• Scriptwriters put forth a lot of effort to make a quality and effective script. The focus of scriptwriters is on the characters who should present the original script, good scriptwriters create interesting characters and plots, and they understand when and how to use drama. But the target audience is also an important factor in the actual story because the target audience is an important factor in the whole script. Scriptwriters spend time thinking out who they want to target with their work. Scriptwriters must be direct and simple, but they should also know how to hire skilled effective techniques. 

Communication 

• Communication skills are one of the most important skills to have in any job and are the most important skills to have as a screenwriter. Each writer should be able to communicate effectively. For some projects to succeed, communication is imperative. The interaction between the producer, director, and characters implies that they should communicate with each other and listen to different ideas that may be useful. However, knowing how to operate alone and autonomously is extremely important. 

Two sectors and compare the different demands and requirements for scriptwriters in these sectors-Television & Film 

• The difference between TV scriptwriter and film scriptwriter is that the narrative structure of television programmers varies. A film has a specific beginning, middle, and conclusion, but television series are episodic, with many beginnings, middles, and ends. Each TV script is part of a bigger plot that covers many episodes, seasons, and includes multiple characters and storylines. 

• TV scripts do not have to resolve every story right away whereas film script must resolve every story right away. Every episode will come to its own conclusion, but they do not have to be wrapped up neatly the stories and characters will continue to grow into the next episode. TV writers can take things slow, play with cliffhangers, and allow plots to develop over time. 

• The duration of a TV script is shorter than a movie script. Writing a television episode takes less time and produces fewer pages. With commercial breaks, TV programmes are either 30 minutes or 60 minutes long, and feature films are at least 90 minutes long. 

LEGAL AND ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR SCRIPTWRITERS IN THE MEDIA INDUSTRY 

When writing a script, scriptwriters must consider legal and ethical considerations. Discrimination and conflicts of interest are ethical concerns, while copyright, libel, and censorship are legal problems. 

Legal considerations 

What are the legal requirements that scriptwriters need to consider and how can they ensure these are met before, during and after writing their scripts? 

• The legal considerations when someone is working as a scriptwriter are: 

• Copyright- having acquired the legal rights for the product which will have its own copyright (legal ownership). 

• Defamation- make a statement about someone's character. This can often be linked to libel as a libel statement could be a defamation of character. 

• Plagiarism- steal someone else’s work without giving the owner / writer their acknowledgement. 

• Libel- Libel is the term used for a written defamation which can be damaging to a person's reputation. 

• Watershed- on television there is a watershed a time lock on when programmes are allowed to be shown. The very rough rule is 9 o’clock for any product around a 15 certificate, 11 o’clock is a product with an 18 certificate. 

• Blasphemy- To insult and offend God. This can be considered a religious crime in some countries as a writer you would need to consider this as projects are often screened all over the world and could lead to it being banned. 

Ethical considerations 

• Ethical considerations when someone is working as a scriptwriter are: 

• Taste- A film produced that can be considered in poor taste could be a film that has excessive violence or a vile premise. 

• Decency - This is showing something which is indecent, often linked to sexual acts and may offend those that watch it. The Human Centipede could be an example of this as it sells itself on the idea it is medically accurate that you could join three people together. An audience viewing this may consider it indecent. 

• Offensive Content- Content that would offend the viewer this could be due to it being too graphic or extreme 

• Censorship- In England censorship is conduct by the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification), they must give a certificate to every film shown on cinema or released on DVD/ Bluray. A film that is deemed too offensive or obscene can be refused a certificate, this is rare now but was very common, to achieve a certificate the film maker would need to make the suggested cuts by the board. 

• Representation of events and people- how are people and events being portrayed are they offensive could they be deemed inaccurate for feeding into a negative stereotype of people. 

Legal case study= Rockey (1976) 

Director: John G. Avildsen 

Writer: Sylvester Stallone 

Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young  

A small-time boxer gets a supremely rare chance to fight a heavyweight champion in a bout in which he strives to go the distance for his self-respect. 

When the perfect fighter's intended opponent is injured, Rocky, a small-time boxer from working-class Philadelphia, is arbitrarily chosen to face the reigning world heavyweight champion, Apollo Creed. Rocky tentatively begins a romance with Adrian, the wallflower sister of his meat-packer friend Paulie, while training with fiery former bantamweight contender Mickey Goldmill. 

Ethical case study= Deadpool (2016) 

Director: Tim Miller 

Writers: Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick 

Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin and T.J. Miller 

A wisecracking mercenary gets experimented on and becomes immortal but ugly and sets out to track down the man who ruined his looks. 

Deadpool is not a guy without morals; he is just a man with his own set of values, which most of society would agree are heinous. The truth is, while Deadpool is a terrible person who talks filthy and fights even worse, he uses his sick and twisted superhuman abilities to defeat much worse villains. Deadpool is an antihero in this regard, as his concept of good and wrong is unconventional and suited to his own desires and interests. He does not consider himself heroic, but he defends his ruthless techniques with the unofficial slogan "I'm terrible, but they're worse." When it comes to Ajax and his henchmen, Deadpool exhibits no remorse and emerges from the totally screwed situation. 

EVALUATION 

A script is a type of text of a play or movie that provides as an introduction to something that should be improvised by a specific section whereases a scriptwriter is a person who writes scripts for specific section as a films, radio, games or television programmers. Scriptwriters have rules and responsibilities to work on anything from feature films to sitcoms and cartoons, advertisements and oversee developing the script and narrative direction. Based on the character design and environment, script writers must construct characters and create realistic speech. It is one of the most key factors for such a program to be completed in the best edition. The screenwriter has a responsibility to create the ideal script they can that matches the character or event, because the script is a document which describes how the characters will follow out a certain project, such as a film, television show, or radio, among other things. Scriptwriters prepare their script in a way that enables readers to envisage the setting, emotion and the way it will work on screen. They collaborate with producers, directors and actors to draft and redraft their script, often working to tight deadlines. To obtain a work as a scriptwriter, the candidate must first have created their own script, which they must show to the committee. A scriptwriter is meant to be the technical instructions it includes dialogue, as well as actions for the characters and what the camera sees. Knowledge of the English language, good written communication skills, the capacity to utilise your initiative, ambition, and a desire to achieve are other vital skills that the scriptwriter should have. When writing a script, scriptwriters must consider legal and ethical considerations, ethical and legal standards are based on the human principles of right and wrong. 

 

Bibliography: 

References 

Adigitaldreamer.com. 2021. How to Become a Video Game Script Writer. [online] Available at: <http://www.adigitaldreamer.com/articles/become-a-game-writer.htm> [Accessed 20 September 2021]. 

2021. [online] Available at: <https://rateyourmusic.com/film/possible_worlds/> [Accessed 24 September 2021]. 

Bartleby.com. 2021. A Few Good Men Legal Analysis - 796 Words | Bartleby. [online] Available at: <https://www.bartleby.com/essay/A-Few-Good-Men-Legal-Analysis-PK4ZJJHT36ZKQ> [Accessed 24 September 2021] 

Careerswales.gov.wales. 2021. Job Information. [online] Available at: <https://careerswales.gov.wales/job-information/scriptwriter/skills-and-qualities> [Accessed 20 September 2021]. 

Ebert, R., 2021. Never Let Me Go movie review & film summary (2010) | Roger Ebert. [online] Rogerebert.com. Available at: <https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/never-let-me-go-2010> [Accessed 24 September 2021]. 

Ginsburg, M., Hodgson, J. and O'Malley, B., 2021. Screenwriter Networking - The Basic Do's and Don't's. [online] Screenplay Readers. Available at: <https://www.screenplayreaders.com/screenwriter-networking/> [Accessed 23 September 2021]. 

Filmdaft.com. 2021. [online] Available at: <https://filmdaft.com/how-to-become-a-screenwriter-for-tv-or-netflix/> [Accessed 21 September 2021]. 

Freshmenscreenplay.com. 2021. The Secret How 97% of Screenwriters are Hired. [online] Available at: <https://freshmenscreenplay.com/the-secret-how-97-of-screenwriters-are> [Accessed 21 September 2021]. 

HowStuffWorks, Entertainment, Movies and Awards, 2021. How Screenwriters Work. [online] HowStuffWorks. Available at: <https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/screenwriter.htm> [Accessed 21 September 2021]. 

IMDb. 2021. Sharon Horgan - IMDb. [online] Available at: <https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1279721/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm> [Accessed 22 September 2021]. 

Imdb.com. 2021. [online] Available at: <https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1334260/> [Accessed 24 September 2021]. 

Indeed.com. 2021. [online] Available at: <https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-become-a-video-game-writer> [Accessed 21 September 2021]. 

Leyfield, F., 2021. Who is Sharon Horgan and who does she play in Catastrophe and Game Night?. [online] The Sun. Available at: <https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/5686061/sharon-horgan-catastrophe-game-night/> [Accessed 22 September 2021]. 

Mentalfloss.com. 2021. 17 Truthful Facts About <em>A Few Good Men</em>. [online] Available at: <https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/71971/17-truthful-facts-about-few-good-men> [Accessed 24 September 2021]. 

Merman. 2021. Merman - Founded by award-winning duo Sharon Horgan and Clelia Mountford. [online] Available at: <https://www.hellomerman.com/> [Accessed 22 September 2021]. 

Ofcom. 2021. Broadcast and On Demand Bulletin (pre-January 2020). [online] Available at: <https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/latest/bulletins/broadcast-bulletins/pre-Jan-2020> [Accessed 23 September 2021]. 

racheldayscriptwriting. 2021. Legal and Ethical Concerns in Scriptwriting. [online] Available at: <https://racheldayscriptwriting.wordpress.com/2016/01/06/legal-and-ethical-concerns-in-scriptwriting/> [Accessed 22 September 2021]. 

Radio.co. 2021. How to Write a Radio Script That Works. [online] Available at: <https://radio.co/blog/radio-script> [Accessed 17 September 2021]. 

ScreenSkills. 2021. [online] Available at: <https://www.screenskills.com/starting-your-career/job-profiles/games/design/writer/> [Accessed 20 September 2021]. 

SoCreate - Screenwriting for Everyone. 2021. How to Become a Script Writer for Video Games. [online] Available at: <https://www.socreate.it/en/blogs/screenwriting/how-to-become-a-script-writer-for-video-games> [Accessed 17 September 2021]. 

Study.com. 2021. [online] Available at: <https://study.com/articles/Become_a_Radio_News_Writer_Step-by-Step_Career_Guide.html> [Accessed 17 September 2021]. 

Study.com. 2021. [online] Available at: <https://study.com/articles/Screenwriter_Responsibilities_Outlook_and_Requirements.html> [Accessed 20 September 2021]. 

Television, F., 2021. What does a television writer do? - CareerExplorer. [online] Careerexplorer.com. Available at: <https://www.careerexplorer.com/careers/television-writer/> [Accessed 17 September 2021]. 

Television, F., 2021. What does a television writer do? - CareerExplorer. [online] Careerexplorer.com. Available at: <https://www.careerexplorer.com/careers/television-writer/> [Accessed 17 September 2021]. 

Unit 19 - Scriptwriting. 2021. Learning Aim A. [online] Available at: <https://hpbtecunit19.wordpress.com/learning-aim-a/> [Accessed 23 September 2021]. 

Writer, S., 2021. What Is the Role of a Script Writer?. [online] Reference.com. Available at: <https://www.reference.com/world-view/role-script-writer-9f94a2ecd970a03a> [Accessed 17 September 2021].