Screenwriter Job Description Template

An effective description can help you hire the best fit for your job. Check out our tips to provide details that skilled professionals are looking for.

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Example of a screenwriter job description

A screenwriter often collaborates with other writers to create a movie or television show script. Screenwriters need excellent writing skills and creativity, especially given how a good script can lead to great ratings and reviews and even a show’s renewal.

The job overview:

We are seeking a screenwriter to contribute to our studio's existing television show project. You will collaborate with other staff, including producers, directors, and videographers, to produce scripts ready for production. As a screenwriter, you’ll work under tight deadlines. You’ll use your passion for writing, understanding of character development, and storytelling talents to use daily, crafting compelling storylines that appeal to our loyal audience. You’ll become an integral member of the writers’ room, and successful writers may work on multiple TV shows. 

Responsibilities

As a screenwriter with our agency, you’ll have several essential responsibilities: 

  • Review previous show episodes for storyline and character continuity
  • Brainstorm story ideas and write compelling scripts
  • Create compelling and realistic dialogue
  • Research, analyze, and fact-check material that contributes to the show’s content
  • Collaborate with the production company and other staff writers
  • Work under and adhere to deadlines
  • Be receptive to feedback and be willing to rework scripts

Job qualifications and skill sets

Our ideal candidate will have the following qualifications and skill sets: 

  • A Bachelor’s degree in screenwriting, film production, creative writing, English, or a related field. A high school diploma/GED may be acceptable in some scenarios
  • A portfolio featuring a completed feature-length or television screenplay, or at least one completed television pilot or TV series episode
  • At least two years of experience writing feature-length or television screenplays
  • Experience collaborating with filmmakers, a creative team, and other stakeholders
  • Experience managing a creative team 
  • Ability to relocate, if necessary, to Hollywood, Los Angeles, or New York City

Screenwriters you can meet on Upwork

  • $49 hourly
    Natalia O.
    • 4.9
    • (11 jobs)
    Bogota, CT
    Featured Skill Screenwriting
    Film Screenplay
    Scripting
    Journalism
    Editorial Writing
    Writing
    Audio Transcription
    Translation
    Creative Writing
    Short Story Writing
    Scriptwriting
    Qualitative Research
    Soy guionista, escritora y consultora creativa con más de 10 años de experiencia desarrollando contenido audiovisual para TV, cine, streaming y web. He trabajado con Netflix, Spotify, Viceland, NatGeo y medios independientes, creando historias que cautivan y generan impacto. 🎬 Guion y Storytelling: Desarrollo guiones para series, películas, documentales, podcasts y animación, así como contenido para YouTube y plataformas digitales. He escrito para canales sobre espiritualidad, cultura pop y emprendimiento, con videos que alcanzan entre 8K y 230K vistas. ✍️ Escritura & Contenidos: Publico artículos en medios como El Restaurante (EE.UU.), y he sido profesora de Escritura de Guion en la Universidad de La Sabana y tallerista en el Instituto Cervantes. 🔍 Consultoría Creativa: Brindo asesoría en guion, narrativa y construcción de personajes para escritores y productoras en España, Bélgica, Inglaterra, México, Colombia, EE.UU. y Argentina. ⭐ Lo que me distingue: ✔️ Experta en estructuras narrativas y storytelling efectivo ✔️ Creación de personajes profundos y memorables ✔️ Capacidad para transformar ideas en guiones impactantes ✔️ Consultoría personalizada para potenciar proyectos creativos Si buscas un guionista profesional o un consultor creativo que eleve la calidad de tu contenido y conecte con tu audiencia, hablemos. 🚀 Skills: ✅ Screenwriting | Storytelling | Creative Writing ✅ YouTube Scriptwriting | Script Consulting ✅ TV & Film Writing | Documentary Writing ✅ Ghostwriting | Podcast Scriptwriting ✅ Narrative Development | Character Building
  • $35 hourly
    Micah B.
    • 5.0
    • (1 job)
    Long Beach, CA
    Featured Skill Screenwriting
    Copywriting
    Content Management System
    English Tutoring
    Editorial Writing
    Copy Editing
    English
    Creative Writing
    My name is Micah Bailey, and I'm extremely passionate about drafting and editing engaging SEO-rich content. I possess 3 years of experience writing articles for individual clients and large organizations. Dreamkreator Studio, Ask Media Group, and Valnet are just a few of the companies that I've worked with, and I've grown both personally and professionally due to my experiences with them. Proactive and highly motivated about my work, I look forward to meeting and working with you.
  • $85 hourly
    Kirsten H.
    • 5.0
    • (49 jobs)
    Los Angeles, CA
    Featured Skill Screenwriting
    Digital Painting
    Writing Critique
    Children's Writing
    Copy Editing
    Content Editing
    Writing
    Social Media Copy
    Brand Naming
    Website Copywriting
    Ad Copy
    Storytelling
    Creative Writing
    Copywriting
    Illustration
    As a storyteller, copywriter, and creative artist, I’m here to help tell (and SELL!) your story. COPYWRITER • Expert-Vetted (Top 1% of Upwork Freelancers) • Words are my superpower! I’m skilled in creative wordplay, scriptwriting, ad copy, brand story, website copy, headlines and slogans, you name it. • I've also worked as an editor for numerous companies and publications, both digital and print. ◄◄ See "Marketing Copywriting" for more! STORYTELLER • I love all parts of the story process: brainstorming plots, writing outlines and treatments, revising scripts and screenplays, one-pages, commercials, pitch decks, visual copy, etc. • Need help with a query letter, synopsis, or picture book? I'm the author of seven books for kids and teens (with Penguin, Random House, & Disney). I also founded an award-winning writing website, and have worked with dozens of authors (including NYT bestsellers). CREATIVE ARTIST • Upwork Certified Illustrator • I'm skilled in many kinds of visual art; the proof is in my portfolio. ◄◄ See "Illustration" for more! Let's tell that story!
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