Screenwriting - Task 1

The writers role in a production

‘Wikipedia’ definition of a screenwriter:

Screenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which films, television programmes, comics or video games are based.

The Profession:

As screenwriting is a freelance profession, they have to be contracted by a production company. Every screenplay and teleplay begins with and idea. From this idea, the screenwriters write the script, with the intent of selling them to be professionally produced. When a script is sold, it is called a spec script.

The difference between a professional screenwriter and an amateur screenwriter is that professionals are normally represented by a talent agency. As well as this, professional writers very rarely work for free, whereas amateurs write for free regularly attempted to get sighted by a talent agency to become professional. There is a group of “wannabe” screenwriters who attempt to get into the film industry, which takes a number of years of hard work, failure and a persistent amount of gruelling work to meet success.

The commissioning editors role in a production

The Profession:

To become a commissioning editor, you must work your way up the ranks, as the role is a mid to senior level position in the industry. Usually, people who want to become a commissioning editor start with a junior position, such as an editorial assistant which can lead their career on further.

Commissioning editors scout media products to publish to help the production company’s list to expand. They commission work by finding the creator of the product they effective “buy” the product. They also make sure the creator of the product delivers to product on time which meets the specification set by the production company.

During every stage of a production, the commissioning editor will be involved at some stage. They are they key link between the initial product proposal and the final product. To develop the product company’s product list, the commissioning editor conducts research in their field to discover treands and gaps in the market.

To find out this information they:

•- Attend film festivals or similar events, including conferences

•- Complete internet research

- Construct and complete surveys to find out what the public demand

The Producers role in a production

Wikipedia definition:

The producer is often actively involved throughout all major phases of the filmmaking process, from inception and development to completion and delivery of a film project. However, an idea or concept for a film can originate with any individual, including a screenwriter, a director or a producer.

The Profession:

The producers first job of a new production is to obtain the rights to create/co-create a screenplay of any type. As it is the producers job to oversee the whole process, it is their job to coordinate, supervise and control all major aspects of the production. It is also their job to raise fund for the production and scout/ hire people to complete important roles such as casting director of film director. They will also have a big say in who gets the job of other roles such as line producer and accountant.

The directors role in a production

Wikipedia definition:

A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film’s artistic and dramatic aspects, while guiding the technical crew and actors.

The Profession:

The director has many responsibilities such as overseeing all creative aspects of film under the film producer. Directors often have an intention of how they want the final product will look. It is also their job to turn the script into a sequence of shots. As well as this, they decide on the tone the film/television programme will have and determine what the audience will gain from the visual experience. The choice of camera angles, lens effect and lighting is a big part of helping the audience to gain from the visual experience, which is another one of the directors job, with the help of the cinematographer/camera operator.

Not only is the director play a big role in the production of the film/television programme, they also work very closely with the editors to make sure that their work done during production making sure of what the audience will gain from the visual experience does not go to waste. This is done by ensuring the close ups, mid shots and long shots are appropriate when put together with the rest of the product. The director also gives advice about the colour grading, used to add warmth or any other emotion to the final product. The director may also participate in the sound mix and musical composition of the product.

The script editors role in a production

Skillset definition:

Script editors provide a critical overview of the screenwriting process, and liaise between the producer development executive and the screenwriter. Script editors do not offer solutions, but instead use their analytical skills to help screenwriters identify problems, explain the potential consequences of screenwriters’ choices, and thereby help to strengthen  and develop screenplays. Also, screenwriters are, more often than not, employed on a freelance basis and their fees and levels of involvement are negotiable.

The Profession:

They have a good insight into different structures of screenplays, and what structure of narrative effects the audience in a particular way. The script editor must be able to give a clear opinion on the premise, screenplay or treatment but be able to back their opinion with detailed reasoning. Their opinions must fit with the context of the entire filmmaking process and should be able to help the screenwriters and producers if any confusion about their opinion occurs. The script editor is also the link between the ‘screenwriters creative desires and impulses and the commercial imperatives of the marketplace’. (http://www.skillset.org/film/jobs/script/article_4056_1.asp)

The script editor also hold more of an insight into the structure of the screen play than the actually screenwriters itself, and usually help the screenwriter to experiment with the many possibilities available to them. The script editor is also responsible in helping to develop a route map. In order for this to be effective, they must work closely with the screenwriter and producer.

The readers role in a production

Skillset definition:

Script readers must have specific skills in analysing screenplays. They evaluate screenwriters’ work, and make recommendations about the next stage on the process. They may also work in other film industry roles, script reading to make extra money, and to hone their analytical skills. The work is not always well paid, but can be very satisfying, and is a useful entry route into script editing and script development.

The Profession:

Readers work mainly for publicly funded groups such as the UK Film Council or the Regional Screen Agencies. The script readers used by UK film companies are normally highly recommended by development executives or producers. Screenwriters may also commission script readers to provide valid opinions on their screenplays before they are submitted to the producers. Scripted readers have to write a readers report to assess whether the screenplay has been professionally crafted or not.In most cases, the script is only read once by the script read, but in some circumstances, such as if the producer has applied for National Lottery funding, it may be read by two or even more script writers to ensure the bid meets the objectives. A readers report is typically 4-8 pages long and includes an assessment for the story’s suitability for production and a breakdown of the story itself.

The studio executives role in a production

Wikipedia definition:

The studio executive is an employer of a film studio or a corporation doing business in the entertainment industry. A studio executive may be a chief executive officer, a chief financial officer, a chief operating officer or be employed to serve in a variety of vice presidential captaincies, such as senior vice president of corporate relations. A studio executive may oversee production or may serve in a role identical to a corporation that is not involved in the entertainment industry.

The Profession:

Because of the amount of different roles the EP could take up during the production, it is difficult to identify their responsibilities exactly. Despite this, they usually fall into one of the following categories:

Development: This includes securing the rights of a story and developing the screenplay. After this, the producer is then responsible. The EP isn’t responsible for any part of the physical production.

Packaging: The EP authorises and supervises the packaging of the film. (reference – Skillset)

Financing: The EP is responsible for raising a big proportion of the funding for the production. Is it also their job to assist presales and secure agreements for the distribution of the product. In smaller productions, the main star of director may be responsible for these jobs because their role, which is already significant, will help emphasise the need of funding for the production.

Production: The EP acts as a mentor to the producer and supervises production for the financers. This type of EP is almost always in short film production schemes, where they typically co-ordinate the film’s production from initial financing through to final distribution. (reference – Skillset)

The agents role in a production

Skillset definition:

Agents represent filmmakers who are looking for distribution deals for their films, abd who may be first time directors, or directors who work outside of studio productions. Agents may agree to represent a film based on it’s script and proposal, but usually an unknown director can only acquire an agent when they have finished, or almost-completed film. Agents work with filmmakers to develop a strategy for marketing their films.

The Profession:

It is the agents job to gain new films in order to keep their catalogues up-to-date and appealing to buyers. In order to do this, they have to attend film festivals and screenings and also meet new filmmakers. Agents also attend these types of events and offer free VHS/DVD copies to promote their new films.  If, for whatever reason, the film doesn’t sell very well, a new and improved promotion campaign may be launched. If the agent doesn’t employ their own broker, they will be responsible for brokering deals for filmmakers too. Agents usually work very close with delivery services to ensure that all of the necessary materials are delivered to the correct location. Along with this, they are also responsible for keeping an eye on the financial situation and be able to provide a breakdown of cost and income from each film.

All of the information in this blog post has been interpreted in my own way from either 'Wikipedia' and/or 'Skillset'.