Author: Steve

Who do screenplay writers have to work with?
1.a

Producers
Manage and financially back the production. Oversee everything from marketing to hiring staff. Some fund the project themselves, whereas others may be looking for financial support from an additional production company or studio.
- They are looking for two things from a writer- a strong finished screenplay or an ability to write for other projects that they have in mind.

Directors
In charge of bringing the screenplay to life on screen and giving it dimension. Make the script camera ready, breaking each scene into specific shots. They also work with a variety of personnel– actors, sound design and camera crew to create a unified vision for the piece.

Harvey Weinstein, Hollywood producer and founder of The Weinstein Production Company

Steven Spielberg, Hollywood director. Famous films include Jaws, E.T. and Schindler’s List.

Job Roles

Script editors
Mediates between the scriptwriter and the producer; essentially the job bridges creativity and logistics.
Has good communication skills and gives a different perspective on the creative work.

Louisa Fitzgerald, script editor for professional screenwriter Abi Morgan

Agents
Sends the script to various executives, seeks writing assignments, arranges meetings and negotiates contracts.
Primarily they try to sell and market the writer’s work.

The Agency is a London based agency for professional screenwriters

Commissioning editors
An executive at a production house or institute (such as the BBC). Gives ‘greenlight’ on a production.

Jim Gianopulos CEO of 20th Century Fox

Shane Allen BBC commissioning editor for Comedy