According to the WGA, nearly 50,000 screenplays are registered every year. Each comes with the hope of being produced and shown in theaters. But very few actually sell.
There’s another way to break in — writing assignments.
Essentially, a producer hires you to write their story idea. Most of the writing assignments that you hear about are big Studio jobs. “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “The Devil Wears Prada,” “Legally Blonde,” and hundreds more were paid writing assignments.
But there are also Indie producers who need writers…and it is a great way to get real industry experience, gain an IMDb credit, and create a fan club of producers who love your screenwriting.
There are many benefits to doing a writing assignment.
A. You’ll experience working with a producer on a REAL PROJECT.
B. You’ll mature as a screenwriter which will prepare you for the next level.
C. You’ll have a producer who is championing your work.
D. If the movie gets made, you get an IMDb credit and whatever pay you’ve negotiated.
FOUR STRATEGIES for getting paid writing assignments.
STRATEGY 1: Move up the ladder one step at a time.
If you’re new to this whole process, the easiest strategy is to work your way up from the bottom.
Most producers and directors have a movie idea they need written. Some have done first drafts and need a better writer to turn it into a great script. They need you.
You can start this by exploring your local film community. Look to see who is producing or directing films that have a chance of getting a movie made. Approach them to see if they’d be interested in giving you a chance to “audition your writing” on one of their ideas.
If you do a great job on that script, the word will get around. You start with small producers, then move to mid-level producers and in time, you can be working with major production companies. Each movie that gets made moves you to the next stage in your career.
STRATEGY 2: Write a great spec script and use it as a sample.
This is a strategy that is used often in Hollywood to have an unproduced writer break in. You write a great spec script; one that is marketable, has intriguing characters, and is well written.
Then, you shop that script to mid-level and top production companies while saying “BTW, I’m also available for assignment work.” Even if they pass on your spec script, you could easily get jobs doing writing assignments.
STRATEGY 3: Get an agent who gets you meetings for open writing assignments.
If you have an agent, you can get meetings to pitch your take on an “open writing assignment.” An open writing assignment is a project that is already owned by a Studio or major production company that they just haven’t found a writer for, yet.
You agent can select the ones that fit your writing style and genre. Then, you’ll need to create a take (basically, a pitch or outline) on how you would write the story. You go in for the meeting and pitch it to the producer. If all goes well, you’ll get the job.
STRATEGY 4: Be one of 12 finalist in the Biz contest to attract producers to your work.
This may be one of the easiest ways to start your career through writing assignments. Our 12 finalists will all have the best scene of their current script read by some top Hollywood production companies. It is possible that they may request your script or want to do a phone meeting with you.
We also have many other producers (small to mid-level producers) who look through the finalists because they need a writer and/or a script to produce. If your best scene really shines, you have a strong chance of being discovered and getting your start in the Biz.
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The beauty of the writing assignment process is that it is less risky. Instead of hoping that your script will sell, you are starting out with a producer attached to the project. Not only that, but the producer gets value from championing your work. So it is leveraged networking.
As you do drafts of the script, you’ll be building a valuable relationship with that producer. During that process, you’ll be learning and growing. Depending upon the deal, you might be present on the set as the film is being shot. And when it is finished, you’ve got an IMDb credit and the title of “produced screenwriter.”
Of course, you need to select producers who can get the movie made, but once that choice is made, you are on an amazing ride.
Join the Biz of Screenwriting 2 Contest/Class.
