Are you a screenwriter or a scriptwriter? Are the terms interchangeable?
While screenwriter and scriptwriter do seem like two words for the same thing, they are actually different. And while you aren’t likely to get called out, knowing the perceived differences between the terms and using it to your advantage can help you expand the type of stories you tell and how you may see yourself when it comes to writing.
Now, let’s take a look at screenwriter vs scriptwriter.
What is a Screenwriter?
A screenwriter is a storyteller who writes for the screen – film, TV and streaming content. Their primary job is to take a story, whether adapted or original, and turn it into a screenplay that provides dialogue, action and visual cues. It’s from the screenplay that directors, actors and production heads will turn what’s on the page into something on the screen. Being a screenwriter entails being open to collaboration and, many times, seeing your vision interpreted in ways you may not have intended.
A screenwriter also has to do more with less. Because movies and TV are a visual medium, screenwriters must write scenes that can be shown rather than explained, meaning their work goes beyond dialogue. To make a screenplay produceable, they have to find the space to shape narrative structure, character arcs and tone while considering time constraints – unless your last name is Sorkin, Tarantino or Nolan, screenwriters have to limit page numbers. Time is even more of a factor for TV where writers must create stories for 30 minute or 1-hour shows often with very specific times for commercial breaks.
As mentioned above, screenwriting is also more of a (sometimes forced) collaborative environment with producers, directors, executives and actors playing an active role in giving notes and changing the screenplay. Sometimes screenwriters are given the opportunity to revise their work based on feedback, sometimes not.
What is a Scriptwriter?
Scriptwriters may write anything that involves a script:
- Stage plays
- Podcasts
- Video Games
- Commercials
- Corporate videos
- Training materials
As you can see, if a project requires spoken dialogue, structured scenes or narrative direction, a scriptwriter may be involved. This also means that expectations and formats can vary widely.
A scriptwriter working on a podcast may focus heavily on dialogue and audio cues, while a scriptwriter writing for video games may include branching storylines, player choices and interactive elements.
In short, a scriptwriter is a versatile writer who adapts storytelling and dialogue to many formats, making the role broader and more adaptable than screenwriting alone. While a screenwriter can consider themselves a “scriptwriter,” not all scriptwriters are screenwriters: you wouldn’t call Shakespeare a screenwriter, but you could call him a scriptwriter.
Screenwriter Scriptwriter: Skills That Overlap
Both screenwriters and scriptwriters rely on their ability to tell stories, write dialogue and set the pacing and structure. While screenwriters must think visually at all times, scriptwriters can have a broader focus because scriptwriting may go beyond just the screen.
Storytelling is what bridges these two together. Whether it’s a 30 second commercial, 1 hour podcast or 3 hour movie, it’s the idea of building empathy that helps bring these stories to life.
Each medium serves a purpose. For example, a commercial is designed to make its viewer buy something, like a product or an idea. A podcast might deliver a compelling story about history or its script might be centered around a structure for an interview. And a movie tells a visual story.
Regardless of script or screenplay; play, podcast or primetime TV, it all revolves around story and building empathy.
The Writer’s Career Path and Opportunities
Another key screenplay and script difference is how each role fits into the marketplace. Screenwriting is notoriously competitive, with fewer paid opportunities and a longer road to sustainability, if ever.
Scriptwriting offers more immediate and varied work, especially outside traditional entertainment. Many writers build stable careers through commercials, branded content, educational media or content creation.
Many screenwriters started their career in other writing mediums:
- The Devil Wears Prada screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna was writing/pitching magazine articles
- Juno screenwriter Diablo Cody was blogging before becoming an award-winning writer
- David Mamet and Aaron Sorkin were both scriptwriters with their plays before becoming screenwriters.
Script Writing and Screenwriting
Most writers will use scriptwriter and screenwriter interchangeably, which is fine if you’re a screenwriter because it is a type of scriptwriter.
Regardless, it’s important to know how to write scripts. Writing a screenplay is far different than how a scriptwriter might craft a 3-minute video intended as marketing material for a pharmaceutical company. And writing a play involves fewer directions and more dialogue than if you were writing a movie.
Knowing the distinction between screenwriter and scriptwriter allows you to present yourself strategically, depending on who you’re talking to and what kind of work you want to do. At the end of the day, the most important title is simply writer.