WRITING FOR TELEVISION AND FILM THE COMMISSIONING PROCESS

JOB TITLES

The writer is responsible for the initial story and the script. He or she is in charge of creating the first script. They can be asked to write a script if they have written before or they could submit their own usually if they are not yet professional writers. To become a professional screenwriter, you do not necessarily need an education or a degree. Some screenwriters even begin writing scripts without being hired, in a way just to get into the business and get there ideas onto paper. Pre-production planning for a writer can usually include researching the subject that the script is on. The more research that the writer does, the more authentic the production will seem. If there are any mistakes with the research people may be offended or put off the production. Also there can be legal implications if the events are not depicted accurately. A lot of the time scripts are recycled or have used part of existing screenplays. When this happens the production companies that used the material have to pay royalties to the original writer or whoever owns the rights to the material. If this is not done the person/company that owns the material could sue the screenwriter for plagiarism. Writers usually have to have a professional presentation. This can include the clothes they wear such as a suit and clean pressed clothes and the presentation of their work such as a well laid out PowerPoint. This is important, as the production company needs to know that can rely on this person. Time management is important to a writer but it can also be a burden. Writers usually work to a certain deadline so that production can start on time. This can be a problem, as some writers do not work to their full amount if they are not in the right mind or mood and can sometimes get ‘writer’s block’. If the screenplay is being written without a deadline it means that the writer can work when he can or when he feels like it. Working hours are very ‘free’ as it can vary from working for example one hour a day to working 20 hours a day. If they fail to meet deadlines there is a chance they will be fired from the production and someone else will take their role. Writer

SCRIPT EDITOR The primary role of a script editor is to provide guidance to the writer, working closely alongside the producer and of course the writer. They can provide suggestions to the writer for improvements on any aspect of the script to help the script achieve its full potential with the help of their perspective. Feedback on the script can be provided from anyone involved with the film such as the different companies that could be funding the project; the script editor will oversee any feedback given to the writer from anybody and is basically responsible for any alterations to the script made based on feedback.

AGENT After a script has been produced a writer should seek an agent to help them move their script to the next step, by using their contacts to find a suitable production company for the script/story. The agent acts as a middleman and is paid to get good scripts from writers to production companies using their contacts.

DIRECTOR A director can work full time from the starting steps of a production, as soon as the script has been accepted he will work with everyone through all stages of pre production through to post production until the production is completed. The director will work closely with the writer to understand their perspective on the story they have created. The director works with the writer to make changes wherever needed. The director works closely with the production team and producer as everyone has to be on the same wavelength to make the best film they can produce. This allows the director to produce a better film.

PRODUCER The primary role of a television producer is to oversee all aspects of video production. Some producers take more of an executive role, in that they conceive new programmes and pitch them to the commissioning bodies. They can be quite involved in the everyday workings, participating in activities such as screenwriting, set design, casting and even directing. The producer is the one who organises everything. They make sure that all props are sorted, any actors are booked, working cameras, and facts are correct. A producer is usually responsible for the entire show.

COMMISSIONING EDITOR The commissioning editor is a senior employee of the main broadcaster in a production, they are responsible for choosing programme ideas which they believe are good enough to be aired. They then allocate a budget to the companies which have thought of the idea so that it can be produced. They will also usually work in a specific genre of the media industry, this might vary from drama's to entertainment programmes. They will overlook a production once they have given the company the money to make it. The producer also works in this area. They are in charge and oversee everything that happens in the specific media field they are in. They deal with things that the director does not, these are things such as finance, legal, administration, marketing and personnel. They guide a project from start to finish, setting it up, financing it and getting all the appropriate talent to make it successful.

Corporations: Corporations is when a company release a film which the profit then comes from the box offices where the film is and the sales from the films. Example: The BBC is a corporation, the name is literally British Broadcasting Corporation. The BBC’s income is from the licence fee and world service grants. Independent production companies: Independent companies is where the company is not owned or controlled by another company. Example: An example of an independent company is Firecracker Films who have produced programmes and won a BAFTA for My Fat Gypsy Wedding, Firecracker Films is one of the UKs leading independent companies with a turnover of more than £130 million. Independent directors or producers: Independent directors usually produce their own screenplays that they have written themselves or have taken a big part in the screenwriting stage. Independent directors or producers work. Organisations: Organisations exist to help screenwriter work with actual writers. Instead of financing screenplays they help to develop the scripts and give feedback and improvement that can be made. An example of an organisation that does this is BBC Writer’s Room. Competitions: Some organisations will offer competitions for upcoming writers to help ‘put their foot in the door’.

COMMISSIONING BODIES

A commissioning body is the part of a company that chooses which film or television programmes should be made from scripts that have been sent. Scripts are sent to the company and then read. Scripts that interest the company will be picked and money will be invested so it can be produced. Commissioning bodies are used when someone is trying to sell their product to a production company. BBC: Welcome to the Script Room, our brand new system for receiving unsolicited original scripts. We’ve changed from a rolling submissions system to one with specific windows when we will accept writers’ work in specified genres. There will be two Script Room windows in 2015: The Comedy Script Room (TV, film, radio, stage or online) will run from 9th March to 2nd April The Drama Script Room will be open in the autumn, exacts dates. All Script Room entries should be made via e-submissions, our online submissions system. I think that the BBC are the best suited commissioning body as they give lots of support to upcoming writers with things such as Writer’s Room.

THE WRITERS ROLE THROUGHOUT THE COMMISSIONING PROCESS As a writer, you have to deal with many stages, these being: Pre-Production and Planning – At this stage, the writer will either have a first draft of a script, or will be commissioned by a producer to write a script. In this stage, the writer and director will work closely to decide upon and perfect an idea. Script-Editing – During this stage, the writer will work with a script-editor to make sure that the agreed storyline is being kept to. The script will have gone through a few drafts, and will have been read through a few times to make sure it sounds right, and that everyone understands. Director or Producer Involvement – Dependent on the person, the producer will either be very involved with the development of the script and the writer, or will have minimum involvement. The producer will always be in contact with the director to make sure that the project is running according to plan, and will be the final say in script changes. Shooting Script Production – The shooting script is the translated by the director for use during production. It includes a lot more direction and technical jargon so the crew know what is going on. The writer will be present during this stage to ensure that the script is being kept to the original storyline as closely as possible, as the director may have to change aspects of the story. Page Lock-Down – At this stage, the script will have reached the final draft. The writer will then work with the director and producer to ‘lock’ pages of the script that don’t require any more editing, thus making them ready for production. Adjustment during Shooting Stage – During this stage, particular elements of the script may not be suitable for filming, so the script will be edited during production. The writer will work closely with the director to decide on a suitable alternative.

Agent representation: An agent representation is where the writer looks and finds someone who can represent them at conferences and be a important part in communication with others. Royalty payments: Royalty payments are usage based payments which are made by a certain licensee who send to another licensor. Royalties agreed that as a percentage of net revenues or gross taken from the company at a fixed price per unit sold. Professional presentation: A writer is expected to have professional presentation with their work; there is no need for grammar errors. Double checking everything before hanging it to other members of the team because they will be reading and looking and if some writing was wrong more time to change it all will affect everything. Time management: Time management is a very big responsibility for a writer, they need to have their work done and in on time if not before. This is because if given a time and it was given in but needed to be changed this then would push everything is in production forward and delayed.

ETHICAL & LEGAL CONSTRAINTS

Copyright is a law which covers literally, dramatic, musical, artistic, works, sound recordings, broadcasts, films the law is there to protect their work and gives the owner control over it, including receiving payment. An author may ask or sell them to other companies for example a recording studio. Bias is Prejudice for or against a person or group in a way that is considered unfair Censorship is when something said or shown is to be covered or taken out, there is a variety of different ways including speech, books, music, films, and other arts, the press, radio, television, and the Internet. This is so that young individuals don’t hear and copy the inappropriate language or harmful. Watershed is the time when adult content may be shown on the television, the times in the United Kingdom is 21:00 and 05:30. Libel is a false publication can be writing, pictures, or even signs where it then can costs the persons reputation. Plagiarism is when someone takes work that has not been done by them. An example of plagiarism is doing some coursework and copying all the words of someone else’s work or from the internet and claiming it as their own.

MARLENE KING She is a writer, producer and director. Best known as the executive producer and showrunner of the teen drama “Pretty Little Liars”. She also wrote and produced the 1995 film “Now and Then” and wrote “Just My Luck”.