A scriptwriter is someone who writes the script for a film or television show; one of his or her main responsibilities is to tell a story quickly and clearly while also developing characters and setting. A scriptwriter must have a strong command of the language in which he or she works, as well as knowledge and understanding of plot structure, the structure of films and television shows, and the editing process. A scriptwriter is sometimes in charge of adapting a book into a film script, which entails stripping the book down to its essential elements in order to present it on screen.
Scripts are written documents that present a story that is intended to be filmed, so they require less physical description. However, in order for the plot and character development to be clear, the scriptwriter will need to include stage directions as well as brief character descriptions. A good scriptwriter will move the plot along quickly and logically; one scripted page equals about one minute of screen time, so the script must be written quickly and succinctly. A script will almost certainly go through multiple edits, both for time constraints and for content, and the scriptwriter will be responsible for making significant changes to the script while maintaining the story and plot flow.
A scriptwriter is sometimes also in charge of selling the script to a studio. Many freelance scriptwriters do this to secure future work, though many studios hire scriptwriters to write scripts for shows and movies that have already been developed. In many cases, freelance scriptwriters can write for multiple studios and work on multiple projects at the same time.
While a scriptwriter does not necessarily require a college diploma, obtaining a degree in writing — particularly a degree in screenwriting — can assist the writer in developing the skills needed to succeed in the field. It can also give potential employers an idea of how prepared and experienced the writer is for complex script tasks and multiple projects. At the very least, the writer will need a strong grasp of language, plot elements, script structure, and editing and revising abilities.
Scriptwriters may be assigned to work on an existing script written someone else in some cases. They’re in charge of polishing the script and getting it ready for filming. Acting as a script doctor, or altering a script in draft form, is another term for this.