How to Become a Screenwriter: Tips, Tools, and Techniques for Success

Screenplays are the backbone of any movie/web series. It creates scenes, builds characters, and highlights climaxes and resolutions. Screenwriting can be a good opportunity if you enjoy writing and are looking forward to making a career in it.

So, How do you become a screenwriter?

Step one is to really appreciate movies/shows. Writing can take you to many places, however, this niche requires an admiration for cinema and the script behind it. You will need to critically look at the scripts of different movies, understand and explore various techniques, and be able to work under pressure. The Movie and Entertainment industry is also quite competitive, so make sure you take care of your mental health and avoid burnout.

This article will take you through the steps in your screenwriting journey and throw light on some tips that will help you along the way.

How to Become a Screenwriter?

Wondering how to become a screenwriter? We have shortlisted some tips and created a guide that you can follow to pursue your dream career.

Make sure you watch a lot of good movies, read their scripts thoroughly, and start working on your first project early. It’s okay to make mistakes when you are just starting out. Explore the craft, experiment with it, and ask for feedback so you can work on your weaknesses. You could also get a diploma for a structured introduction to the field.

1. Assess Your Interests

Before you pursue a formal screenwriting course, make sure you assess your skills and see if this is what you are truly passionate about. You can start by writing plays and skits for your school drama club. See if it’s something you’d want to do in the long term.

You can also take up hobbies like photography and videography. These are great for visual storytelling and can help the screenwriting process.

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Rewatch all the movies you like and pull out their screenplays. Read through them to understand the technicalities. Since these are shorter than movie screenplays, you can read through them fast and judge your interest in the craft.

2. Read, Read, and Read Some More

As we talk about reading screenplays, we need to understand how this could be helpful for your career. You can search for screenplays on the internet. Start with short films, these are small and won’t take a lot of time.

Explore different genres. As you read more screenplays, you will start to understand the subtleties and intricacies of the craft. So, read every screenplay you can find. It would help you better your writing, understand different techniques writers use, and how they break away from the traditional rules.

3. Get A Training

Although becoming a professional screenwriter doesn’t necessarily require a degree, it could help with developing your skills, networking, and getting familiar with the industry.

FTII offers PG Diplomas for aspiring screenwriters. This includes a 3-year course in Direction and Screenplay Writing, and a 2 year course in Screenwriting (for Film, TV, and Web Series).

The Asian Academy of Film and Television (AAFT) offers a certificate course in screenplay writing. It is a 3-month long program that focuses on the craft as well as the industry part of it.

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You can also look for other offline and online screenwriting courses depending on your needs and requirements. These courses are generally aimed at helping you learn the basics of the craft and seek out opportunities in the industry. They also help you with tips and tricks you need for a rewarding and successful career.

4. Join a Group/Online Forum

You can find online forums for aspiring screenwriters like yourself. These can help exchange information and ideas, discuss scripts, and critique each other’s work. You can get constructive feedback and work on improving your pieces.

If you have enrolled in a formal course, you can also join a forum with the alumni to get regular industry insights, know when and how you can approach acclaimed writers for mentorship, and much more.

5. Start Working on Short-length Scripts

Practice will help you perfect your craft. So, start working on scripts. Try working on short-length scripts at first. Write scripts for short films, pilots, and commercials. You can gradually proceed towards longer scripts as you get used to the format and the techniques.

You can ask your peers or faculty members to provide some feedback on your script. Experiment with these projects. Try your hands on different genres. You can also shoot some of these to see what the outcome looks like.

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6. Collaborate with Other Professionals for Independent Projects

If you’re well-versed in camera equipment, videography, and editing, you could give life to your script and start filming.

You can also work with other professionals on these independent projects. Hit up aspiring cinematographers, stylists, and art directors and collaborate on a short film. This way, you get to experience what it’s like working with a team and also see how your script turns out on screen.

Filming your scripts would allow you to see how scenes might turn up differently on paper and screen. This is great for further developing and perfecting your craft.

7. Prepare a Portfolio

So, what should your portfolio look like?

As an aspiring screenwriter, you can include 2 to 4 of your writing samples. You don’t need to include all your work because the reader needs time to go through it, and you don’t want them to think it’s too lengthy!

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You can, however, include a variety of scripts within the limit to show your versatility. Start with a short film for instance, and move on to a pilot episode, or a feature film script. You could build a website and have an online portfolio for better access as well.

8. Approach an Acclaimed Screenwriter for Mentorship

Still unsure about how to become a screenwriter in India, and feel like you need more guidance?  In that case, you can approach professionals in the industry for mentorship.

You will probably meet some of these experts through workshops and seminars organized by your institution. You can connect with alumni of your institute who are working in the industry for more information and insight. Talking to a faculty member can also be helpful.

Mentors can help you understand how the industry functions, share tips to enrich your craft, and encourage you to network for better opportunities.

9. Network

Networking can help you connect with fellow writers and other professionals from the industry. You can reach out to them for better opportunities. For instance, you can learn about events and competitions, access agents, and find out about production houses that might be looking for screenwriters.

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It can help you collaborate with individuals from the industry, exchange ideas and feedback, and build healthy professional relationships.

10. Assist Screenwriters

A lot of the time, screenwriters might look for assistance for a large-scale project. Keep an eye out for opportunities like these and assist screenwriters when you can. You can find assisting roles through online forums, networks, alumni groups, or through other online and offline sources.

This would provide a peek into the real world of screenwriting, help understand how large-scale projects work, and allow you to work with a team of writers. You can develop your craft, work on your weaknesses, and learn how to navigate the industry.

While it might not be easy to get a job as a screenwriter right away, you can look for openings that would allow you to work with the writing team. Assisting screenwriters could broaden your horizons and help you land your first big project.

Conclusion

If you have been relentlessly reading everything that you can find on ‘how to become a screenwriter’, then congratulations, you have already taken the first step. While the vastness and complexity of the industry might seem daunting at first, following these steps could help you break down your goals and work towards them more efficiently.

If you are interested in pursuing a formal course in screenwriting, you can check out the AAFT website for more information about the curriculum and placement opportunities. AAFT provides a well-rounded course aimed at acquainting you with the industry standards and perfecting your screenwriting techniques. You can learn from the experts, access the best resources, and make your screenwriting journey fun and memorable.