How do I become a screenwriter?

Some of the UK’s most successful screenwriters offer their advice to young people wanting to work in the film industry.

If you’re looking for next steps and wondering whether you need a screenwriting qualification or how to find screenwriting work, then watch the video to see some of Britain’s best screenwriters, including Abi Morgan, Hossein Amini and Olivia Hetreed offer their advice on a career in screenwriting.

If you’re interested in training courses (and are aged 16 to 19) then the BFI Film Academy Specialist residential programme focuses on the craft and workflow of different specialisms – including screenwriting – with leading industry professionals delivering masterclasses and practical skills training. Participants also receive bespoke careers advice.

Charlie Covell on script to screen highlights

Writer, actress and BAFTA Breakthrough Brit Charlie Covell shares how she made the jump from being in front of the camera to being behind the words. An actor for 10 years and a writer for 3, Covell wrote 2 episodes for Russell T Davies’ series Banana, which aired on E4.

She then went on to write her first feature screenplay, Burn Burn Burn, which was included in the London Film Festival programme for 2015.

Interviewer: Pelumi Akindude

Daniel Fajemisin-Duncan and Marlon Smith on writing for film and television

Daniel Fajemisin-Duncan and Marlon Smith talk about what made them want to become screenwriters, how they develop their ideas on the page and their tips to budding filmmakers who want to explore a career writing for films and TV. They also explain what a ’vomit draft’ means.

Daniel and Marlon won the breakthrough talent BAFTA for Run (2013), their gritty 4-part drama series about 4 troubled individuals living in London, starring Olivia Colman.

Interviewer: Pelumi Akindude

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