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Screenwriter apprenticeships

Authors, writers and translators > Screenwriter

Creative and media

Screenwriter apprenticeships - where to start

You can get into this job through
  • a university course
  • a college course
  • applying directly
  • specialist courses run by private training providers

    • University
    You could do a degree or postgraduate qualification in creative writing, English or journalism, but this is not essential. You'll usually need 2 to 3 A-Levels, or equivalent, for a degree. You'll need a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course.

     

    College
    When you're starting out you may find it useful to take a college course, to help develop your skills and understand dramatic structure. Courses are available in creative writing or scriptwriting. These are also often available as short courses in adult education centres and at some universities. There are no set entry requirements for this route. 

    Direct Application
    If you want to get directly into this job, you may have an advantage if you have writing and storytelling experience from another field like journalism, advertising copywriting or acting. You'll normally start by coming up with your own screenplays and ideas, and trying to sell them to agents and producers. Once you've had some work accepted and started to build a professional reputation, producers might then commission you to produce scripts for them. 

    Other Routes
    You could take short courses in screenwriting run by film schools, regional screen agencies and private training providers. As a new writer, you could get yourself noticed by entering screenwriting competitions. These competitions are run by broadcasters and regional screen agencies to discover new talent. You can also find advice about submitting your work to the BBC at BBC Writers Room.

    Screenwriter apprenticeships - what it takes

    Skills and knowledge

    You'll need: 

    • knowledge of English language 
    • excellent written communication skills 
    • persistence and determination 
    • excellent verbal communication skills 
    • the ability to use your initiative 
    • the ability to come up with new ways of doing things 
    • ambition and a desire to succeed 
    • knowledge of media production and communication 
    • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

    Screenwriter apprenticeships - what you'll do

    Day-to-day tasks

    Your day-to-day activities may include: 

    • coming up with themes and ideas 
    • researching background material 
    • developing believable plots and characters 
    • laying out the screenplay to an agreed format 
    • preparing short summaries of your ideas 
    • selling your ideas or ‘pitching' to producers 
    • getting feedback on your work from producers or script editors
    • rewriting the script before arriving at an agreed version 
    • networking with agents and producers 
    • handling your own tax and accounts, if freelance
    Working environment
    You could work in an office, from home, at a film studio, at a TV studio or on a film set.

    Career path and progression - Screenwriter apprenticeships

    Your career will depend on how successful you are, and how popular your work is. You could combine writing with other work like teaching, lecturing or editing.

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    Considering an Apprenticeship?

    There are lots of benefits to apprenticeships, here are our top 5:

    • Paid Training
      Not only will your organisation (or the Government) pay for all of your training, but you’ll be paid to do it. That means you could actually get paid to get your degree and have no debt!
    • Range of career opportunities
      There are over 625 different apprenticeships to choose from, in a range of industries. Whether you’re interested in law, marketing, construction or engineering, you’ll find something up your street!
    • Earn & learn
      As an apprentice, the minimum you’ll earn is £6.20 an hour, but we’ve seen apprentices earn a starting salary of up to £30,000 a year! You could also get other employee benefits like gym memberships, paid holiday and sick pay.
    • Great career prospects
      Employers think apprentices are 15% more employable than those with other qualifications. In fact, many large employers train their graduates and apprentices together!
    • Learn on the job
      There’s only so much you can learn when you just do a qualification. As an apprentice, you’ll also get to learn on the job - whether that’s designing amazing graphics, chopping vegetables or building engines!

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