Screenplay Writer - How to become a Screenplay Writer

Screenplay Writer is one of  the professional of film making unit who initiate the process of  film making by converting the textual form of the story into an enactable form.

India can boast of one of the biggest entertainment industry, comprising cinema and TV- in the world. With its self claimed Head quarter at Mumbai, it is also known as Mayanagri or Bollywood in Indian parlance. Although not as famous but not far behind, we are having similar film industry in the south India too. Film making that includes feature films, documentaries, newsreels, promotional films, TV commercials, music videos etc. is one of its major aspect. All these creative works involve a lot of skilled professionals in its making like Producer, Director, Actor, Screen Play Writer, Dialogue Writer, Dance Director, Photographer and a whole lot of technical and non technical professionals.

All these play their role in creating a piece of art like a Feature film that helps to get name, fame and money for this bunch of talented professionals. Although all the professionals are equally important to make a successful film but a Screenplay Writer, also known as Screenwriter, is such a professional, on whose work, the entire projects depends as he is the one who is responsible to convert the original story on which the film is to be made, into such a format which is suitable for it's presentation on the screen.

He has the responsibility to give a befitting start to as big a project as a feature film which may even take years to complete successfully. He is responsible not only to maintain the originality of the story he is given but also to do necessary changes so as to fit the story in the presentable format. Although it is the Actor/Actresses who take most of the credit of the success of the film but in the real sense it is presentation of the film that is equally important than the appearance of the actors/actresses on the big screen to make it a success in the long run.

Thus as a Screen Play Writer has the responsibility to start such a big project, this makes him an all important professional of this industry. A little slackness on the part of the Screenplay Writer may make or mar a good theme. Thus one has to be sincere, hardworking and passionate of his work to be a successful Screenplay writer. He should have a high sense of imagination, foresightedness and above all the flexibility to mould himself according to the demands of the director of the film so that he could work in a team without any kind of compromise with his professional work.

Profession of a Screenplay writer is full of pressure not only from his producer and Director but also from his actors/actresses. Thus he should be a responsible professional who is able to work in a pressure cooker like conditions. To achieve all these qualities along with sharpening his creative skill he has to undergo some short term course and has to attain a lot of experience before plunging into Screenplay Writing profession.

Eligibility to become a Screenplay Writer

1. Educational Qualification

A graduate or postgraduate degree in literature with proficiency in creative writing is considered to be good for being a Screenplay Writer.

2. Age

No age bar is there to be a Screenplay Writer.

How to become a Screenplay Writer?

To be a Screenplay Writer one has to follow the below given steps:-

Step1

After getting requisite qualification i.e. a graduate or better a postgraduate degree in literature one may go for various certificate and diploma courses offered by film institute’s throughout the country providing basic knowledge of screen play writing or creative writing along with various other aspects of screen play writing. .

However some reputed institutes with limited seats may take an aptitude test before granting admission in their institutions.

Duration of various courses:

• Certificate course is of one year.
• Diploma and Post Graduate level courses is of two years.

Step 2

After completion of his/her basic training in the relevant filed one can join some big film house or start as an assistant to some experienced Screenplay Writer in the project to get some on-the-job experience. After getting some live exposure one can take up his own assignment of Screen Play Writing in an effective way.

Screenplay Writer Salary

Screenplay Writer can expec to get anywhere near Rs.25,000 to Rs.30,000 per project as an assistant to a senior depending upon the project and the banner. After getting some exposure and working with some established film houses there is no counting of money one can earn in this professions. All this depends upon his creative skill and amount of success he gets commercially with his work.