Screenwriting : Screenwriter for Hire Positions by Mark Fyers

Nobody is gonna hire you without a track record.

Impress working folks with a best selling book, hit indie movie, stage play, pulitzer award, win Nicholls . They will come for you.

To build on what Dan said, you should also have connections. That’s how I got my first writing gigs. I met the right people and struck the right impression on them. So you build your reputation step by step, climbing the ladder.

First you need to make sure you have some good "solid" examples of screenplays. Multiple for whatever genre you are targeting. You then need to build connections. Here at Stage32 and elsewhere. Get your work in front of people to get their feedback. Possibly enter some contests as well. Maybe pay for a few pitch sessions. If you are really good then you have a chance to get people interested in what you wrote OR if they aren't interested in your scripts BUT really are impressed with your style, voice and/or mastery of the craft, they may want to use you for other projects. Write well, write a bunch, get it in the hands of as many contacts that you can (without abusing their connection with you) and keep writing.

Chad's advice is so much better than Dan...no you didn't necessarily have to have a best selling book or a freakin pullitzer. Pullitzer is somethign that takes years and years to accomplish and has nothing to do with being a good scriptwriter. here is some sites that might help https://www.networkisa.org/writing-gigs.phphttps://www.networkisa.org/wr... http://www.screenwritingstaffing.com/http://www.screenwritingstaffing.com/

Well, have a look into our job section here, maybe you find something that matches your experience with tv series and just apply. Try it, that's all. Connections are important, writing experience and listed credits as well, but one has to start somehow somewhere... If you don't get a job then you at least learn what kind of job offers are professional, you'll get new contacts and maybe helpful feedback... Just do it, don't think too much.

For me (a non-produced writer as well), I wrote a couple scripts I could use as samples, and used various screenwriting services to look for unpaid jobs. It might not sound great, but there's no downside to it -- you get experience and build connections, maybe something to use on your resume.

I got an unpaid job consulting (due to my ethnicity) on a spec for this relatively new film studio, where I did some mild editing work as well. I managed to pick up some helpful tips during the process, and now I have connections too.

I personally used screenwritingstaffing (which Evie linked above).

I agree connections are super important. And so is talent. If my writing partner/mentor did not think I was any good, he wouldn't have passed my name on to johnny Martin for my first gig. He in turn would not have given my name to others or tried to convince anyone to hire me if he thought I'd let them down. That would make him look bad. So yes, find connections but have the skills to back up the recomendations. I have a few spec scripts I use as writing samples plus I have entered one (DEAD WAKE) into several film festival / contests to show how others rate my work.

Dan -- while I agree that a person's time is worth at least some money, I was lucky to even get a call back from an industry professional. At that point, I had zero experience and was barely two years into the craft.

So for that job, I think of it as exchanging my time for experience, which is more valuable than money.

But now, I'm at a point where I can request at least some payment for work, so everything is great :)

Where and when did I say it's okay to work for free? And since when am I responsible for the Stage32-job-section just because I mention it in addition to the other websites?? I got my first well paid job there and can recommend it. Period.

Thanks for everybody's valuable insight and feedback. There's a lot of insight to absorb and build from. I am signed onto the ISA and screenwriting staffing websites too. I work with an actor who is currently breaking into the UK/US market as his manager, we've amassed a few contacts, and of course I have a co-writer who has some as well. Combined, we're doing okay. I am not sure about the screenwriting competition route as I have mixed reviews about taking that path, feel free to clarify if you guys think it is a valid route to take. I have also done a couple of paid screenwriting consultations, and also worked for free with a couple of first time directors. I am currently working for free for two Production Companies (London and Chicago) as a Script Reader. Once again, this advice was really beneficial. Thanks!

What everyone else said: You write a stack of great spec scripts which open doors for you, then when someone has an OWA (open writing assignment) you may be called to come in and pitch your take on the material... and the winner gets the gig.