TV Writer

Job Desription

A Tv writer writes stories that will be seen by a viewing audience. Tv writers create plotlines, invent dialogue, and develop characters for ongoing or limited series. They have to figure out where the actors will be and what they are doing while talking in the script.

Salary average: $61,211 per year

Occupational Outlook

The job outlook for writers and authors expects to decline by 2% between 2019 and 2029, primarily for print media. However, the future is brighter for those who write for entertainment or online media as the focus shifts from page to screen.

Links to Learn More About This Career:

Educational Requirements:

To become a TV writer, you typically need a background in screenwriting, such as a bachelor's degree in film production or creative writing or a master's degree in fine arts in screenwriting.

University of Kentucky

Address: Lexington, KY

Website: https://www.uky.edu/

Information on the Major: https://finearts.uky.edu/theatre-dance/filmmaking-production-and-dramatic-writing

Murray state university

Address: Murray, Ky

Website: https://www.murraystate.edu/index.aspx

Information on the Major: https://www.murraystate.edu/programs/hfa/eng/hfa-english-creativeWriting.aspx

The Savannah College of Art and Design

Address: Savannah, GA

Website: https://www.scad.edu/

Information on the Major: https://www.scad.edu/academics/programs/writing

Soft Skills, Characteristics, and/or Abilities Need For This Career:

Powers of observation
People skills
Imagination
Communication skills
Ability to write
knowledge on proper script format
Understand how to structure a scene

Software Knowledge Needed For This Career:

Studio Binder, Final Draft

Pros and Cons to Choosing This Career

Pros (Positives to this Career)

Flexibility
Freedom
Work from anywhere

Cons (Negatives to this Career)

High expectations
Intense competition
Demanding work

Typical Working Conditions For This Career:

Full-time tv writers may average 15-25 hours a week writing specs. This is a demanding job, and you can expect to experience long and stressful days attempting to meet deadlines set by studios or production companies. In addition, working in television requires working on a team of staff writers for the particular show.

Career Researched By: Anyla Brooks