LO2: Task 2

LO2 Task 2: Investigating a Job Role

Investigated Job Role: Screen Writer

I have decided to investigate the job role of a screen-writer as I take interest in both media and English therefore, I can combine the two to create my own original vision and creative pieces of writing that can be translated into audio/visual media. 

Practical and Technical Skills

Skills required as a screen-writer  include capabilities within media and English academically, being able to understand the conventions of the format in which your writing will take place so that actors, directors and producers can visualize your scripts so that they can be used to give creative direction to those staff members. This furthered by the adaptations to audio visual and interactive meaning that these directions have to be specific to the media the script is created for therefore, requiring an understanding of conventions and capability to write narratives as well as dialogue. A practical skill required would be to be able to meet strict deadlines which require vast amounts of work to be presented within, requiring organizational skills. Another skill that would be necessary would be software knowledge including Microsoft word and excel for planning. Furthermore, a general understanding of arts and historical contexts which may become prevalent within your work if it's based on a piece of history or is being used as a method of surveillance to make the audience aware of the world around them in conjunction with creative abilities like writing and understanding how your scenes will play out. 

Specific Industry Knowledge

Required industry knowledge would be the ability to research related subject matter to the media in which a script is needed to be written to understand the conventions and styles of it; this is inclusive of adapting those conventions to the form the media will take such as a tv series, film or game. This would require knowledge of research methods such as focus groups in which further communication is necessary alongside an understanding of target audiences. This would then extend to communicating this to other crew members so they can plan what will be needed to fulfill certain parts of the script such as necessary props and their uses. An example of this would be a fantasy series in which a lute is needed for a bard therefore, it would be necessary to communicate the need to have a lute on set and for someone to have the capability to play it. 

Communication Skills  - Oral and Written

Communication skills are highly needed as a screen-writer; this is evident within the strict deadlines in which you will have to exchange between the director, producer, actors and development producers to communicate your drafts to so that they can be in an agreed upon finished state before the deadline's end in which the script will need to be presented to everyone (that is necessary). Additionally, screen-writer's are often assisted by researchers who will assist in understanding what they're writing. Furthermore, you will need freelancing skills which comes with presentation capabilities to be able to pitch yourself and potential screen-plays to a producer so they can pick up your work. Screen-writers are also joined by script editors who will read through their work as the two communicate ideas and edits to each other, requiring creativity. Lastly they will have to communicate with the development producer to get the screen-play/script ready for production. Furthermore, online meetings such as Teams or Zoom allow for everyone needed/involved with the script to give feedback so everyone can create an agreed upon draft and understand their roles in relation to the screen-play. You can further this through an online table read where actors can read their roles and the director (and yourself) can give guidance during the read.

Organization

Due to strict and tight deadlines, extensive planning is needed to have your screen-play in a finished state and be ready to communicate it with other crew members like the development producer. Software that can assist in this including excel in which you can create a production schedule to plan out your work load. Furthermore, the various drafts of the screenplays need to be organized and sent to the right people at the right times with instructions or guidance for feedback given to each dependent on their significance to the script (e.g. a script editor with the dialogue or an actor with the directions). 

Creativity

Creative skills as a screen-writer are vital in creating fluid and natural dialogue exchanges between characters which progress the story. This is especially true if in your role you're the one creating the narrative and story, I.E your own original story rather than what a client or employer has requested of you, being able to define personality traits in setting and character and using historical or social contexts effectively and morally if relevant to the narrative. This is in addition to deciding how each scene will play out, character's roles within it, the setting, props and actions within; this including discussions with the director regarding potential shot types and angles within the scene. 

Problem Solving

Potential issues could be the strict deadlines which can be remedied through using excel to produce a production schedule for yourself (or following one made by your employer) to manage the time and amount of work needed to be completed before the deadline; furthering this with planning documents to gather potential ideas for either the narrative or certain scenes or characters such as a mind map or a mood-board to get visual representations you can present to your team to give them a clearer/visual idea for your screen-play. This therefore, assists with dealing with deadlines due to getting your ideas clear and developed early. Possible contingencies for software like Microsoft Word could be pen and paper which can then be physically given to the production crew; this also eliminates any reliance on E-Mail.

Working as Part of a Team

Communication is an essential aspect of screen-writing as you'll need to work alongside the script editor before passing your work onto the developmental producer; this means creating multiple drafts and exchanging feedback and guidance between yourself, the editor, director, developmental producer and actors so that everyone understands what role they play in (and in creating) the narrative. 

Wider Responsibilities

• Communicating with staff involved. - involves director, producer, crew/actors and script-editor; telling them what they need to understand about the screenplay (character roles, personalities, settings, props and directions in conjunction with director).

• Meeting Deadlines - Planning to have all your work ready is vital as the entire production depends on it (i.e actors, director, producer).

• Organisational Skills - Having all your work in one easily accessible place; including panning materials which will influence what you write and so that colleagues can see what you've written/planned so they can give feedback.

• Giving and receiving feedback - involves director, producer, and script-editor

• Understanding Characters/settings in your research so that the cultures and contexts/points of history are accurate and well represented.

• Understanding client/producer requirements so that you and your producer's thoughts align to create a narrative that they are happy with.