There is no way to sugar-coat the truth; finding screenwriting jobs has always been challenging. However, there are still numerous ways you can make a living as a screenwriter and find work in the film industry.
Events such as the global pandemic are particularly hard on freelancers, and many creatives have struggled. You may experience a decrease in work, wages or face unemployment. Times can be hard, but they can always get better.
Below is a list of places to find screenwriting jobs. This includes freelance, full-time, and alternative ways to find work as a filmmaker this new year.
Screenwriting Incentives
There are lots of incentives for screenwriters who keep writing.
Screenwriting contests still represent a great way to get your script in front of the industry. Here’s a list of some of the best Screenwriting Contests. A win at a big contest can kick-start your career. But even if you do not win, many screenwriting contests give feedback on your script which can help improve your screenwriting.
Or you might choose to check out funding opportunities through the Australian Writer’s Resource or Screenwriting Fellowships.
The great news is that there are opportunities for screenwriters everywhere, but if it is a job you are looking for, try out some of the websites and resources listed below.
Film Job Sites
Many production companies and producers use film job sites for advertising crew work. What some screenwriters don’t realize is that they can also list screenwriting jobs too. The work advertised on these sites is typically freelance and can change quickly. As such, it’s a good idea to bookmark the websites you like and check up on them every week. Some websites you might not already know about are ISA Writing Gigs, Screenwriting Staffing, Entertainment Careers, and Video Collective.
Full-time Jobs
Although most film work is freelance, it is possible to get a full-time screenwriting job. You can find these positions on film job sites, as well as ordinary job sites. Another way to find full-time work is by looking at the career pages of a production companies website. Some companies only use their websites for in-house work. So if there is a company you want to work for, bookmark their career page ( e.g., Lucas Film, Netflix Jobs, and NBC careers).
Film Commissions
Film commissions are a lesser-known way to find film work. These are government-run organizations aimed at encouraging local filmmaking. In fact, every country and state has a film commission that provides advice for local filmmakers. Some of these also have job listing pages, and many advertise networking events. No matter what job you are after in the film industry, networking with local filmmakers is necessary. A great website that lists all US state commissions and production resources is SAGindie.