Ways in which a writer is employed.

In order for screenwriters to get work, they have to be very pro-active. By pro-active, they have to submit their work to agencies and then have their work commissioned.

The Writer’s Guild:

The writers guild is an organisation created to help all screenwriters break into the market and secure themselves a job. To join The Writers Guild, you have to pay a subscription which is the equivalent of 1.2% of their earnings from writing. To become a full member, you have to gain 8 membership points. You can do this by: [1]

·         For each single piece of written work of any description for which reasonable payment has been received under written contract, in terms not less favourable than those existing in current minimum terms agreements negotiated by the Guild (where such agreements exist) - 8 points

·         For each single piece of marketed written work produced or published other than under the terms of the previous paragraph - 4 points

·         For each completed year of Candidate membership (up to four years) - 1 point.

      Although the guild is able to help writers seek employment, they are unable to offer specific advice on how to gain funding for your production. However, on ‘The Writers Guild’ website, it does   offer you links to places which will be able to offer advice about funding such as the ‘UK Film Council’.

BBC Writers Room:

[2]“BBC writersroom is the first point of call for all unsolicited scripts and writers. All work is assessed primarily for the talent of the writer, and in addition for the scripts suitability for further development.”

The BBC offer many opportunities to amateur screenwriters. These opportunities include competitions (such as a current competition – [2] “Channel 4 Drama are looking for 12 talented writers who currently have no broadcast credit.”) and providing links to agencies such as the ‘Scottish Arts Council’ who offer bursaries to published playrights based in Scotland.

UK Film Council:

The ‘UK Film Council’ is a film delivery agency which is backed by the government and based in the UK. The UK Film Council have been behind more than 900 short and feature-length films which have made £700m at the box office. For every £1m which has been funded by The National Lottery, £5m has been made at the box office.

By working with many UK agencies such as Skillset, BFI and First Light the UK Film Council are able to offer advice and funding to many screenwriters in order to help them kick-start their career in the industry.

Bibliography:

[1] http://www.writersguild.org.uk/join-the-guild/full-membership

[2]http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/writing/submissions.shtml