Screenwriters have lots of room to play
DID YOU know that Woody Allen, who has received more screenwriting Academy Award nominations than any other writer, started his career at the age of 16 by penning jokes after school for an advertising agency?
Many formal screenwriting skills can be used in careers that aren’t necessarily part of Hollywood. Like all writers, screenwriters are able to use words to make concepts come alive, and this is needed in any industry.
While not everyone may be able to make it to the top of the screenwriting food chain, the skills screenwriters possess are easily transferable. Originality, insight into narratives and knowledge of how to use language to convey a message are also valued beyond the entertainment and creative industries.
UCT, with its online education partner Getsmarter, offers a short course in screenwriting that can be done online, part-time, and it opens the doors to the following possibilities:
Even though becoming a professional in the television and film industries is notoriously difficult, there are forms of support. The Writers Guild of SA was established to provide a support system “for the writer of TV, film, radio, theatre and new media”.
Most scriptwriters work on a freelance or part-time basis, selling their time and skills according to the requirements of producers. It may be a tough industry to break into but, once you get your foot through the door, you could end up contributing to the country’s favourite soapies, movies, and even popular game shows.
Digital gaming has changed immensely over the past few decades. Graphics have become more life-like, gameplay is longer and more complex, and the narratives have evolved into exciting stories. Many games are now based on popular movies and TV series, like the award-winning The Walking Dead.
As a video game writer, you would collaborate with game designers, level designers and artists to create characters, dialogue and scenarios.
In this medium, design and dialogue are equally important to telling the story. Video game writers often write in other forms as well.
Jill Murray, who won a Writer’s Guild of America award for her work on Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation, is a published novelist.
The future of storytelling, transmedia writing refers to a technique that spans multiple digital platforms, with a consistent narrative.
Digital technology audiences are able to access the same story through different platforms like blogs, online videos, cellphones and video games.
A notable example is Clockwork Watch, a five-year, immersive storytelling project distributed through graphic novels, interactive theatre, online adventures, an interactive book and a feature film. Screenwriters have an indepth understanding of narrative, as well as the vision to see that narrative realised.
Top designers are able to create visually stunning projects, but often struggle with how to communicate those visions through text. Designers regularly have to include descriptive text in their proposals or award submissions.
Speeches, letters to contractors and presentations present opportunities for an in-house writer to become the professional voice of a firm. Once again, this demonstrates the collaborative relationship between visuals and the use of words.
A well-written story will always stand out in a sea of marketing material, whether it be about the latest model of a luxury vehicle or the oldest washing powder brand.
The best types of content connect with the audience’s emotions. Strong writing skills, and the ability to relate content to the heart of the intended audience, are central to content marketing. Screenwriters know how to find the core of a story.
For more information on the screenwriting course, visit www.getsmarter.co.za.