The Most Important Skill as a Scriptwriter
No, being a scriptwriter isn't just about writing scripts.
One thing I’ve learned about writing scripts for a streaming service is, that simply writing a script isn’t enough. That may seem weird, but in all honestly, I can’t think of any other skill that’s more important as a scriptwriter for big-budget TV or film productions than your negotiation skills.
Why Negotiating Matters When Delivering Scripts
Now the big question is: why are negotiation skills so important when writing scripts for big-budget productions? First, let’s strap ourselves into the shoes of an aspiring scriptwriter; those hopeful, beady eyes witnessing their first script being adapted into an actual product.
This initial stage is for scriptwriters is the honeymoon phase of the script. No matter how crappy the writing may be, how one-dimensional the characters, how paper thin the plot, if you’re proud of what you wrote, that already means there’s at least one good thing about it. There’s no better feeling than being proud of what you wrote.
And there’s no worse feeling than talking to the producers or director and them telling you that a number of small or extensive changes need to be made.
For example: I wrote a sitcom about two cops and I gave them very unique names that sounded good to me. They sounded good, rolled off the tongue, and most importantly, their two names really worked in unison. I take the script to the producer and they tell me the names need to be changed. But why?
The director will tell you “They don’t sound good.” The producer will tell you “They’re not names that sell.” The placement producer will tell you “We got a product placement agreement with a local company and one of the characters has to have the same last name as the company’s CEO.”
This is where you, as the scriptwriter, have to explain why the choices made in the script were made that way, and the script is the way it is.
How to Negotiate to Save Your Script
Simply saying “It’s my vision” or “That’s the way I want it to be” is simply not enough when you’re not Quentin Tarantino, Charlie Kaufman, or Aaron Sorkin. Your vision is still too young, and your experience is still too little to be enough of an argument for your producer to accept.
This is why before going to your producer or director with the script, be ready with clear and concise reasoning for every detail that’s the cornerstone of the script.
For example, going back to the previous scenario of my sitcom and the names of the police officers; I told my producer, that their names play very important roles in future episodes and how other characters interact with the two leads. Changing their names would mean making sweeping changes to future episodes and characters.
After hearing my reasoning (and also sleeping on it), my producer agreed to keep the names the way they were originally. However, had I simply said, “Because I want it that way”, the result of the meeting would most likely not have been in favor of my choices.
Stand By What You Wrote, But Be Flexible
Your script isn’t just a work of art, a vision, or a personal goal. When that script is put into production, it becomes a product. The success of this product will determine the job security of many people involved, so you have to keep that in mind.
What you wrote is important; that goes without saying. However, if the film or show you wrote ends up flopping, you may end up costing a lot of people their jobs. Ideally, this matter is the responsibility of the producer, but as a scriptwriter, you have a very large hand in the success or failure of the final product.
Be proud of what you wrote, stand by it, don’t betray your vision. But remember, that films start and end with the script. You have a heavy hand to play in the success or failure of the project and that can have major outcomes on those around you
.