Getting Paid As A Scriptwriter
Hello, Creatives!
Today we are diving into a career path that is the foundation of both Hollywood and commercial advertising. Scriptwriters are the often forgotten aspects of audio-visual entertainment in terms of public acknowledgment. So today, we’re going to recognize that being a scriptwriter is hard and if it weren't for them, many of us probably wouldn’t have survived this past year.
What is a Scriptwriter?
A script is like a blueprint for any production, which makes a scriptwriter kind of like the architect of Hollywood and advertising departments. A scriptwriter (also called screenwriter or sometimes playwright) is a creative professional who writes scripts for TV series, films, plays, commercials, and even video games.
Scriptwriters are the storytellers, the visionaries, the ones who have something to say. Without scriptwriters, we wouldn’t have most of our entertainment options because they are the ones who transform books and plays into something directors and actors, and film crews can work with to create something for the screen.
What’s the typical salary of a Screenwriter?
This is tricky because of the wildly stratified tiers of productions in the media and entertainment space. If you are a screenwriter who is a member of a guild (yes, I know, it’s very ye olde time-y) then you are entitled to a higher payment than a screenwriter who is not within a union.
The basic pay expectations for the Writers Guild of America can be found here. It changes each year to keep up with the cost of living increases. The schedule of minimums sets the standards for a wide variety of project types and project budgets, so if you at all are interested in screenwriting, check out WGA website to learn more.
In the latest edition (October 2020) of the WGA schedule of minimums, a screenwriter can earn anywhere between $12,000 to $145,000 depending on several factors such as:
How long have you been a screenwriter? What is your portfolio like?
What type of project is this for? A commercial, a short film, a TV show, a feature-length film?
Is it an original idea by you or are you adapting a literary work for a screenplay?
Are you starting from scratch or picking up where someone else left off?
If you’re picking up where someone else left off, is the screenplay still in the drafting phase or does it simply need polished?
There are more questions involved, but those are the basics that will determine how much you could get paid. So, do your research and know what your worth for each project.
How do you get paid for your screenplay?
Okay so, here’s where it gets sticky because, like many types of creative careers, other people get a cut of your money. If you have an agent who helps solicit your screenplays to studios, they get a cut of about 10%. You may have lawyer fees for the contract negotiation process. Accounting for creative professionals is a pain so you might also have additional accounting fees associated with each project you take on. At the end of the day, a screenwriter might end up keeping half of the original payment.
With all of this said, I can’t forget to mention that scriptwriters are paid in installments, meaning they are paid upon delivery of a draft or a polished script. So, if a script takes longer than expected, well then it takes longer than expected to get paid. But it could also take weeks or months for the studio or other company to actually payout that installment because….reasons?
This article from Studio Binder does a great job going into the nitty-gritty details of getting paid as a screenwriter and the roadblocks to getting paid well. Another great resource is this article from the Art Career Project that explains in-depth how the installment process works for screenwriters.
That’s all I have for today. I hope this was helpful. Are you a screenwriter? What has your experience been like? Let me know in the comments below.
Until Next Time,
Rochele