unit 19 learning aim a

 Introduction  

A scriptwriter is someone who writes a script for a film, tv show, games and other types of media sectors. The purpose of a scriptwriter is to help guide the cast and crew of what will happen on the screen. This happens by collaborating with producers, actors, and the director to make the right draft. The scriptwriting process happens by start to write a logline and treatment (this should include the title of the screenplay and the characters), then the scriptwriters should develop their characters, plot and outline so the scene can blend well, write your first draft this is key since this is the draft that will be given to a production company, after all this is done scriptwriters normally rewrite their drafts because scriptwriters could probably think of something new to add to their script. (https://blog.pond5.com/9419-screenwriting-101-7-basic-steps-to-writing-a-screenplay/ 23.09.2023) 

The responsibilities and role of a scriptwriter are to develop and research ideas for a play, help pitch ideas, write, and adapt a story into a script, put together visual elements in scenes with plots and dialogues and to work with producers and directors to edit and adjust the script as needed. But sometimes the roles and responsibilities of a scriptwriter may differ depending on the media sector they have to write a script for.  

A1 

There are three main ways a scriptwriter can be hired: 

One being the scriptwriter selling the rights of the speculative to the commission bodies which allows them to do anything with the script. This means there is no guarantee that the scriptwriter will be able to see the final script or even make money from it since the commission bodies have already brought the script meaning it belongs to them.  

Another way is being hired by a studio to work on a project while it is being developed. Often these scriptwriters are hired because the studio likes their work, while doing this job the scriptwriter might rewrite a script or they will make a new speculative with the other scriptwriters. When being hired this way, you must write under the directions of the directors or the producers.  

The last one is when a scriptwriter is being hired through production. These scriptwriters are requested by studio or actors. When this happens there is a good chance that f the production studio likes the scriptwriter's work, they could bring the same writer on board for a sequel or for another movie  

The hiring process for a media sector such as film scriptwriter is different to one as video games because in film there are multiple ways to get hired such as selling your rights to a production company which allows them to do anything with the script. While in video game scriptwriting you would need to work as a freelancer, they would need to establish themselves as an authority on video game writing. They would also need to consider working with a coder to create their own video game that they can show prospective clients to demonstrate their writing and design skills. ( https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-become-a-video-game-writer  21.09.2021) 

In TV, the scriptwriter Lisa McGee who is from Northen Ireland made shows such as London Irish, The Deceived and Derry Girls which got nominated for the best scripted comedy programmer but won Best Comedy Writing on Television in 2018, Best Comedy, and best new  show 2018.  (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7120662/awards  22.09.2021)  

Since Lisa Mcgee was young, she knew she wanted to be a writer, so when she was older, she got a degree in in drama and English Queens University in Belfast. After this she decided to go to London to work at the Royal Theatre, which gave her the time and freedom to write a play, causing her to win a Stewart Parker Trust New Writer Bursary for her play ‘dolls and girls. After a year Lisa Mcgee moves into TV working on the BAFTA-winning supernatural series “Being Human,” before creating her own series “Raw,” and mini-series “London Irish.” 

After her show The Latter (about a group of Irish twenty somethings move to London) she gained the confidence to write a script about Northen Ireland while pregnant with her first baby. She said it was the only thing she could write at the time, because it was joyful to reminisce and try to make people laugh. Although it was produced by Channel 4 and available on Netflix internationally, Mcgee did not think everyone would go to watch it straight away since “Alot of stuff in Northen Ireland is male.” This caused her to worry when writing Derry Girls since there were so many female characters, but the audience was attracted to the jokes and how the characters complete disasters because that’s how most teenagers' girls feel. ( https://womenandhollywood.com/writer-to-watch-derry-girls-creator-lisa-mcgee/ 23.09.2021 

Away a script writer may develop their skills is gaining qualifications. Examples of this qualifications can include English language, communications, and productions arts. This can be helpful for a scriptwriter because if they have a when they must share their ideas communication can come in and help deliver their ideas correctly, the English language can help them think deeper into the script and production arts can help the script writer get a better understanding of how the other roles would affect your scripts  

Another away a scriptwriter can develop their skills is networking. An example of this is a script writing workshop. This is where Screenwriters prepare their script in a way that enables readers to envisage the setting, emotion, and the way it will work on screen. They collaborate with producers, directors, and actors to draft and redraft their script, often working to tight deadlines. Screenwriters are always freelancers. ( https://www.udemy.com/course/screenwriting-workshop/ 24.09.2021) 

The final way a scriptwriter can develop their skills is effective communication, this can be done by practicing active listening. This is important because when a scriptwriter writes their script, they need to be clear about what is happening in their script, so it does not confuse the people on set and its also important that when they pitch out ideas to other scriptwriters their message comes across clear. 

Since there are different media sectors for script writing there will be different demands and requirements for each different media sector.  An example of this is radio and gaming scriptwriting. The difference in this scriptwriting might be how in gaming script writing the scriptwriter might need to learn how to code or know about graphics for the game.  

While in radio scriptwriting you will need to include when you go on air, an introduction [Summary of Story/Anecdote that captures attention of your listeners], background: [Tell the bulk of the Story/Anecdote, including any background info] and a conclusion: [End the Story/Anecdote distinctly and memorably]. 

  

A2 

There are legal requirements that need to be met as a scriptwriter. These are watershed, copyright/plagiarism, blasphemy, libel/defamation, and obscenity law. Scriptwriters can ensure these are met by trying to take out any dark humor. 

 An example of a script that violated one of these legal requirements is William Friedkin's who has written films such as Killer joe, Sorcerer, The French connection, and more others. But the movie that got banned in the UK (United Kingdom) for making people faint, vomit, and have heart attacks was the movie The Exorcist, which was originally a novel by Williiam Peter Blatty, which was about a little girl who gets possessed by a demon. This film was given a X certificate because of its indecent images of the young actor Linda Blair, the film might cause server emotional problems and hysteria. ( https://www.bbfc.co.uk/education/case-studies/exorcist 23.9.2023) 

In 1988 the BBFC debated whether the film was suitable viewing at home and that the main character was 12 so it would attract younger viewers. But in the 1980s and the early 90s they concluded that 18 rating was inappropriate. But 25 years later the BBFC finally be classified 18 uncut for video/DVD release. 

Ethical considerations a scriptwriter makes are taste, decency (often linked to sexual and violent acts) and offensive content (content that could offend the viewer this could be due to it being too graphic) representation of events and individuals. These ethical considerations can be met by letting the director or the script writer read threw the ideas during/ before production. 

 An example of a film and /tv show that did not meet the ethical requirements is come fly with me. This was a tv show which follows the bustle of a fictional airport and three fictional airlines written by David Walliams, Matt Lucas, Kevin Cecil, and Alice Lowe. The show has been removed from Netflix, BBC inlayer and Britbox over the use of blackface in June 2020 while only lasting one season from 25 December 2010 to 27 January 2011. 

Even though the show only lasted a year and got cancelled for the offensive content of Blackface, the tv show still got a nominee for best comedy programmer, best sketch show, best costume design and best graphic design title. But also won an award for Best makeup design and Best Music at the royal television society in 2011. 

Evaluation  

A scriptwriter is someone who writes a script to help guide the cast and crew on what will happen on screen. Their roles and responsibilities include pitching ideas, research ideas for a script and writing/adapt stories. Scriptwriters get their work out by being hired by production, being hired by production, and selling over their speculative rights to a production company. In scriptwriting the person would need to develop skills such as communication, networking, and qualifications, this is important because when showing off your script the ideas need to be clear. The importance of practicing legal and ethical considerations is your media sector could be cancelled for many things such as blasphemy, copyright, libel, offensive content, decency, or offensive content. 

Bibliography  

Willard, S., Montpelier, R., Montpelier, R. and Montpelier, R., 2021. Writer to Watch: “Derry Girls” Creator Lisa McGee. [online] Womenandhollywood.com. Available at: <https://womenandhollywood.com/writer-to-watch-derry-girls-creator-lisa-mcgee/> [Accessed 23 September 2021]. 

Bbfc.co.uk. 2021. The Exorcist. [online] Available at: <https://www.bbfc.co.uk/education/case-studies/exorcist> [Accessed 23 September 2021]. 

IMDb. 2021. Derry Girls - IMDb. [online] Available at: <https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7120662/awards> [Accessed 22 September 2021]. 

Roe, C., 2021. Screenwriting 101: 7 Basic Steps to Writing a Screenplay. [online] Pond5 Blog. Available at: <https://blog.pond5.com/9419-screenwriting-101-7-basic-steps-to-writing-a-screenplay/> [Accessed 23 September 2021]. 

Indeed.com. 2021. [online] Available at: <https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-become-a-video-game-writer> [Accessed 21 September 2021].