Hallo!
Since years I am very interested in the idea of writing scripts for television series – especially sitcoms. Up to now I read some books about screenwriting and I wrote dialogues for a stage play at an amateur theater. I created the concept for a 20 minute sitcom and wrote the full dialogues for the fist episode and outlined the plots (and dialogues) for fife following episodes. But all at the amateur level.
The problem is that I’m studying psychology and wouldn’t have enough time to start a second (artistic) course of studies. A second problem is that I live in Europe (Austria) and Europeans aren’t capable of producing films or series. There indeed are writing classes in Europe but I can’t imagine that it would make sense to visit a writing school in a region where people are teaching things they do don’t know the fist thing about.
Can anybody tell me, what it will take to become a professional script writer? Do you need professional lessons and education and do you have to attend writing school? Or is it also possible to write television scripts if you have just read a few books and watched some YouTube lessons on the subject? If yes, which books or videos would you recommend? If no what is the minimum of formal education that’s needed (how many years)?
Hi Phillip. I've sent you an invite. You do not need to attend school. You are doing the right thing by trying to take it on yourself! Keep writing!
Answered only part of your question. I have taken 2 webinars here that I have gone back to repeatedly. The first one is here: https://www.stage32.com/webinars/Building-Blocks-How-to-Write-a-Great-Scene-Every-Timehttps://www.stage32.com/webinars/Building-Blocks-How-to-Write-a-Great-Scene-Every-Time
The second was another by Marla White on 1st 10 page writing. I don't have that link handy.
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Philipp the basic answer to your first question is there ain't no formal educational requirements - if you can spell screenwriter, you can be one. However (an you knew there was gonna be an however), it usually takes years of hard work, dedication, persistence and learnin'. It ain't easy. That's what I know in the American market - I know little about the European market.
Your psychology studies are beneficial when it comes to character creation and interaction. The tv sitcom market waxes and wanes over time but seems to have a pretty steady baseline demand in the U.S. All the best to you.
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There is no minimal formal education level, just get out there and write.
2-days to "Kill the Cat" (writer's joke), 1-yr to learn format, 2-yrs to write good characters/ descriptions/dialogue, 4-yrs to create a voice and style unique to your own, 10 yrs to break into the Industry, and then 6-months in a writing room, followed by 1-day to write your epitaph -- bwahahaha -- only kidding... no set formula.
Uh-uh, I know what you mean, Philip. In Germany it's a comedy when they shout at each other and you cover your ears. Once I saw an episode that was constructed like an American comedy and laughed out loud all the way. When I looked into what happened the series was a melodrama, didn't do well and was dropped after two episodes. Til Schweiger does Hollywood comedy successfully, but for the cinema and with his own production company.
Thank’s for all your answers – they were very helpful to me!
“...Your psychology studies are beneficial when it comes to character creation and interaction...”
Yes, I think a lot about how people tick and what motivates them.
“..$180 gets you an all access masterclass, taught by filmmakers and television creators. Sorkin, Rhimes, Steve Martin, Mamet, Judd Apatow, Hans Zimmer, Ron Howard...”
Do you have a link?
“...I spent $19 on a how to book....”
Had you been successful so far?
“...I know what you mean, Philip. In Germany it's a comedy when they shout at each other and you cover your ears....”
Yes. I thought about why Americans are better in producing movies that the rest of the world. I still haven’t found the answer but I think it has to do with the mentality and lifestyle. Only Britons and US-Americans have the reputation to have good humour – totally justified.
I recommend The Hollywood Standard by Christopher Riley. Though some of the techniques are dated, it's great book to understand the basics of formatting. There isn't any set time. It's an ongoing journey of assimilation, technique, style and creativity.
I don't think formal education is a requirement, but certainly helps. There are some courses that you can do online, like the one from New York Film Academy. I've done it and I really enjoyed the experience.
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Phil, as an American filmmaker who lives in Los Angeles, I think you are giving the US market WAAAYYYY too much credit. We are producing more shit than ever. On the flip side, I actually think the strongest talent emerging right now for writing and directing is in the UK. It’s not Germany, but it’s a helluva lot closer to you than the US! Focus on your market first. If you’re good enough, the other markets will come to you. Go look and see what a woman named Coralie Fargeat and the international success she is having with her movie “Revenge.” (She’s French). The reason she is having so much success is that her movie is fucking GOOD!
You just need to write good scripts. No one will ask for your academic transcript. That said, screenwriting requires a lot of learning. But you can cheat. Download every podcast, read every book, read as many screenplays as you can and just write, write, write!
You can get a screen writing certificate in screen writing at a local college. Usually, it's about 5 or 6 courses in screen writing, along with your usual writing and English classes. I took those classes, myself, and others that I went to school with took them. Many are now working for Scripps, Jupiter Entertainment, HGTV, Animal Planet, etc, writing scripts for commercials, TV shows and movies That's with the bare minimum. Also, it helps you read a bad script for the same company and know how to correct it.
Thanks for the links and further advice!
“...As has been pointed out there is no need for a formal education. There is however a minimum understanding of story, script and dramatic writing (character,, conflict, theme, structure, etc.) that is necessary in order for you to master the craft ....”
Yah – story arc, character, conflict,... these are the things you should understand and I’m exploring now. The last days I found a lot on YouTube.
“...Also, it helps you read a bad script for the same company and know how to correct it....”
Sounds very interesting. I often thought I would like to do that: improving someone else’s work. I sometimes watch series and many ideas come to my mind, how this and that scene could have been designed better and how this or that running gag could have been elaborated deeper.
I currently indeed have the problem that I’m kinda blocked in writing new stuff. Some time ago I had written 20 pages dialogue within a few days (first episode) I was excited to continue but then: Nothing happened. I was sitting in front of my computer but nothing came out of me. Wrote a few lines – deleted it....
In this sense I think correcting or improving someone else’s work would be much easier.
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Coursera offers a really great and FREE screenwriting class. Learned a great deal and it did not cost me a dime!!!
***Something that will help you understand more about story formulas is the book and series, "Save the Cat!" We used it non-stop in some of my script writing courses in college. It has a ton of information for any script writing formulas you need.
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Would you guys throw that 'Save the Cat' book away! I knew Blake years ago when he was a fixture in the Writer's Store and working on the book. We had lunch out on that little patio area behind the Hollywood Roosevelt and discussed it - I told him not to write it and get back to his "Nuclear Family' script Of course he didn't listen to me and he single handedly has done more damage to the fine art screenwriting than anyone else. (Of course, that's just my pov.)
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I'm a little late here, but I'm proof you don't need to have a formal education in screenwriting to go professional but you do need talent and it helps to know someone. Even though I had help getting started in the industry it still takes TIME.. I started writing in 2009 and while I've made money at it since 2011 it took until 2013 to get one that was produced and that production (after going into rewrites and reshoots being renamed DELIRIUM) was not released to theaters and DVD/blu-ray until this year!
Other than reading books, I also read a ton of screenplays and watch movies to learn. Plus the friend who got me started, has also been an amazing mentor.
^^^ Perfect post Lisa!