Screenwriter Job Description Template

4 steps to creating a screenwriter job description that fits your needs 

Now it’s time for you to write your screenwriter job description. It can be helpful to brainstorm a list of all of the responsibilities a screenwriter will hold in your company. Then, think about the skills and experience necessary for those responsibilities. By making these lists, you’ll have a better idea of the candidate you’re looking for, and you’ll have written part of the job description. 

The following steps will guide you through the rest of the process. 

1. Determine what type of screenwriter you need

When writing screenplays, writers often develop specialties. It’s important to consider the type of screenwriter you need before starting the hiring process. For example, television writers may specialize in fast turnarounds and short, concise episodes that pack a punch and tell a cohesive story. Those with a screenwriter career in the film industry specialize in longer projects and create scripts for motion pictures. Screenwriters may also work in companies and businesses, developing scripts for corporate projects like promotional videos. 

It’s often best to work with a screenwriter who has experience crafting the specific deliverables your business needs, whether that’s a TV episode or movie script. 

2. Employee vs. independent contractor vs. agency

You can hire a full-time screenwriter in-house, contract with one through an agency, or work with a screenwriter who is operating as an independent contractor. The option that’s right for you will depend on your business structure and the amount and type of work you have. 

If you’re planning to hire a writer in-house, you’ll need a more extensive or ongoing project with higher volume to sustain that arrangement. An independent contractor arrangement is often more flexible and might be an ideal choice if you’re bringing on a writer for a few episodes or a short-term project with minimal hours. 

Worker classification can be tricky, so check out our compliance services resources page for more information and be sure to discuss any questions with your business lawyer. 

3. Experience

You’ll also want to determine how much experience an ideal candidate will have. Highly experienced screenwriters can often step into more complex projects and get up to speed quickly, while screenwriters with less experience may need more time and guidance. Keep in mind that more experienced screenwriters typically charge higher rates, though. Your project scope and budget will factor into the amount of experience your ideal candidate should have.

4. Industry 

Screenwriters work across multiple industries. Some focus entirely on the entertainment industry, while others might write scripts for businesses and develop promotional projects for industrial use, like video projects highlighting a company’s products and services. Each of these industries require slightly different skills and bring different experiences, so it’s best to look for a screenwriter who specializes within your business’ industry.

Next steps

Once you’ve written your screenwriter job description, check out our list of top screenwriters on Upwork. Each writer’s qualifications and experience are clearly listed, so you can quickly browse through their profiles and identify which candidates are the right fit for your business or project. 

Upwork is not affiliated with and does not sponsor or endorse any of the tools or services discussed in this section. These tools and services are provided only as potential options, and each reader and company should take the time needed to adequately analyze and determine the tools or services that would best fit their specific needs and situation.