How To Become a Screenwriter

To become a screenwriter, study storytelling and film structure, practice writing scripts and build a portfolio. Network, attend workshops and submit work to contests or producers to help open doors to opportunities in the film and TV industry.

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Read time 5 minutes

GCE Editorial Team

Published on Jul 29, 2025

If you’re passionate about media, entertainment and the power of the written word, you may be curious about how to become a screenwriter. First, however, you should take a closer look at the answers to questions such as, What do screenwriters do? and Which skills are important in this career field?

What Is a Screenwriter?

A screenwriter is a professional writer who creates screenplays or scripts, which are intended to be used to create a film, short film or television show. Some screenwriters create the scripts for video games, animated cartoons or commercials.

In essence, a screenwriter is a content creator who specializes in visual mediums. This means they need to pay attention not only to plot, character development and dialogue, but also to visual elements like character movements and actions, as well as the look of the scenes. They are responsible for telling a story in a compelling, cinematic way, following a dramatic structure and creating compelling and realistic characters.

A screenwriter is part of an economic powerhouse: the U.S. film and TV industry. This industry employs individuals in every U.S. state with various trades and skills, from makeup artists to set builders and beyond.¹This huge industry pays out an average of more than $229 billion in wages each year, according to the Motion Picture Association (MPA).¹

What Do Screenwriters Do?

A screenwriter’s ultimate goal is to tell a compelling story that entertains, sends a message and/or informs. They want to hook the audience with a believable plot, compelling premise and characters that the audience can empathize with.

A screenwriter might develop their own original story that they pitch to film and TV executives. Alternatively, they might adapt a story from a book or create a reboot — a script based on a previously released movie or show.

Some of the typical responsibilities of a screenwriter can include:²

Brainstorming: A screenwriter may come up with their own ideas for a story.
Pitching: Screenwriters meet with film executives. They pitch their latest ideas for screenplays or their already-written screenplays to executives.
Writing: The bulk of a screenwriter’s time is spent writing the screenplay. Screenwriters must develop the characters, figure out the plotlines and write engaging dialogue. They may incorporate ideas from producers, directors or other film personnel.
Revising: The first draft of a screenplay is exactly that — a first draft. Screenplays may go through many rounds of revisions based on the feedback the screenwriter receives.
Shooting script: The shooting script is a version of the script that includes instructions for lighting, camera angles and shooting guidance. Screenwriters are responsible for creating this.

What Experience and Education Does a Screenwriter Need?

There are no strict education requirements for screenwriters. However, it’s typical for aspiring screenwriters to earn a degree related to film studies, preferably one that focuses on screenwriting specifically.²

Aspiring screenwriters should also have plenty of experience reading sample scripts by established screenwriters, as well as watching their corresponding movies or shows. Future screenwriters may read trade magazines, evaluate industry trends and, above all, practice writing frequently. Writing practice is essential not only for building a writing portfolio but also for improving your writing skills and developing your storytelling techniques.³

Some aspiring screenwriters may wish to join a writing group. This can allow individuals to receive feedback about their work so they can figure out how to improve it. Professional networking, such as attending industry-related events, can help future screenwriters build the connections necessary to launch a career.³

It’s typical for a screenwriter to work on spec. This means they write a screenplay without having a contract for it and then receive payment if it sells.³

Alternatively, screenwriters may sometimes sell an option on their script, which means a producer pays to retain the rights for a set period of time. Once the option expires, the producer may purchase the script, extend the option or let it expire. Other screenwriters who work on TV shows are hired in-house by the show, receiving a salary and a bonus for each episode they work on.³

It can take persistence and patience to break into the industry as a screenwriter.

Best Degrees for Screenwriters

Screenwriters may come to this career field from a variety of backgrounds. Although a degree isn’t a strict requirement to become a screenwriter, it may be helpful to earn one to examine techniques in film and story development.⁴Universities may offer bachelor’s degrees in film studies, for example, which can allow you to examine various film genres and the history of film and TV.⁴

Although you could earn a general film studies degree, an ideal choice may be a film studies degree that offers a concentration in screenwriting.

For example, consider the Bachelor of Arts in Digital Film with an Emphasis in Screenwriting degree at GCU, which examines elements of storytelling that may guide you in working toward a career as a writer, such as:

Story development
Character building
Authentic dialogue

What Skills Does a Screenwriter Need?

A screenwriter can begin developing the essential skills for the career during a degree program and then continue refining them as they gain experience writing scripts.

Some of the most important skills and qualities for a screenwriter include:^2,4

Writing skills
Creativity
Flexibility
Receptive to feedback
Persistence
Collaboration
Time management
Intrinsic motivation

Median Annual Wage

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) classifies screenwriters as a type of writer,⁶ though it doesn’t track employment data for screenwriters specifically. According to the BLS, the median annual wage for writers and authors was $72,270 as of May 2024.⁵

$72,270

Median annual wage for writers and authors.⁵

Projected Job Growth

The BLS predicts that the job growth rate for all types of writers and authors will be 5%, as fast as average, from 2023 to 2033. At this rate of growth, there is expected to be an increase of 7,700 new jobs for all types of writers and authors during this time frame.⁷

Estimated job growth for writers and authors from 2023 to 2033.⁷

Where Do Screenwriters Work?

Usually, a screenwriter works in a home office. Here, they can typically set their own hours and determine their own workflow. After selling a screenplay, however, a screenwriter will need to be available to make revisions to the script whenever the producers require it.¹

Some known work areas for screenwriters include:

An office
On set
At home
In a studio

Advancement Opportunities Within Screenwriting

There are multiple careers related to screenwriting. Some aspiring screenwriters might start as script readers, who are responsible for assessing and summarizing scripts. Later, after working as a screenwriter for a while, a professional might decide to transition into a script editor role. Alternatively, screenwriters who have built a solid professional reputation may become script doctors, who are rewrite specialists who fix problems with scripts written by other people.⁸

Still another possibility is that of script supervisor, who works on set to ensure each detail of the script is brought to life during the shooting of the movie or show.⁸

Earn a Screenwriting Emphasis at GCU

At Grand Canyon University, you can explore the world of film by earning a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Film with an Emphasis in Screenwriting degree. You’ll examine all of the essential elements of screenwriting, and you’ll gain hands-on experience during your screenwriting capstone course. Fill out the form on this page to speak with a university counselor at GCU today.

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Motion Picture Association, Inc. (n.d.). Driving Local Economies. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
Indeed Editorial Team. (2025, June 9). What Does a Screenwriter Do? (With Salary and Guide). Retrieved June 24, 2025.
Indeed Editorial Team. (2025, March 26). How To Become a Screenwriter or TV Writer (With FAQs). Retrieved June 24, 2025.
Learn.org. (n.d.). How Do I Become a Screenplay Writer? Retrieved June 24, 2025.
The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Writers and Authors, as of May 2024, retrieved June 24, 2025. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as Writers and Authors, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, April 18). What Writers and Authors Do. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2024, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Writers and Authors, retrieved June 24, 2025.
Intelliminds. (2025, June 23). 13 Exciting Career Paths for Screenwriters To Explore. Greenlight Coverage. Retrieved June 24, 2025.

Approved and verified accurate by the Digital Film Chair of the College of Arts and Media on July 14, 2025.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.