Screenwriter Resume Examples
Years of Experience
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
Mina Sayed
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Carpenter Street, Philadelphia, PA, 12345
Profile
An aspiring Screenwriter with entry-level experience specializing in script writing, dialogue, character development, and world-building. Adept at creating quality scripts with emotional resonance and ensuring narrative cohesion.
Professional Experience
Freelance Screenwriter, IndieFilm Productions, Philadelphia, PA
May 2021 – Present
- Wrote a 119-page script for the independent dramedy film, See You At McGlinchey’s, following a set of seven intersecting stories of patrons in a local Philadelphia dive bar, which premiered at the Ritz Theater and garnered positive reviews from local critics
- Coordinated with two scriptwriters and the director to write, edit, and refine the script for an independent drama film, Sad Times on Aramingo, which achieved a nomination for the Best Independent Drama Award at the Philadelphia Film Festival in 2022
- Developed compelling narratives, created realistic dialogue incorporating local accents and cadences to ground scripts in realism, and ensured plot continuity
Academic Experience
Film Projects, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
May 2020 – May 2021
- Wrote and edited scripts for three student short films within the drama and horror genres, interfaced with student directors to ensure alignment with artistic vision, and conducted script edits during production to facilitate strong acting performances
- Created a 50-page script for a short film dealing with the reality of gentrification and economic dilapidation within inner-city Philadelphia
Education
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Scriptwriting
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, September 2017 – May 2021
Key Skills
- Scriptwriting
- Dialogue Writing
- Character Development
- Narrative Cohesion
- Storytelling
Selena Ramirez
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 12345
Profile
A Screenwriter with five years of experience within the television industry, specializing in narrative storytelling, character dialogue, symbolism, and editing. A strong history of writing compelling screenplays for major television productions such as True Detective, Game of Thrones, and Westworld.
Professional Experience
Screenwriter, HBO Studios, Los Angeles, CA
July 2017 – Present
- Coordinate with creative teams, production teams, and directors to create scripts for the first season of the HBO series True Detective, including the development of symbolism and subtext for character dialogue to explore existential themes
- Write 100-119-page screenplays for five episodes of the science fiction series Westworld, and identify appropriate dialogue beats and pauses to enhance emotional nuance
- Revise scripts based on director feedback and attend meetings with screenwriters to brainstorm ideas and identify opportunities to improve screenplays
Screenwriter, HBO Studios, Los Angeles, CA
May 2016 – May 2018
- Wrote, edited, and refined screenplays for two seasons of Game of Thrones in collaboration with showrunners, screenwriters, and directors
- Conducted research on background material from novels and author notes to accurately capture character personalities and drive holistic world-building through dialogue, which included crafting dynamic character interactions to avoid exposition
Education
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Screenwriting
University of California, Los Angeles, CA, September 2012 – May 2016
Key Skills
- Screenwriting
- Editing
- Scripting Writing
- Character Dialogue
- Narrative Storytelling
Anthony Gentile
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Bedford Avenue, New York, NY, 12345
Profile
A Senior Screenwriter with 10+ years of experience delivering screenplays for award-winning films, including Dune, Blade Runner 2049, and Knives Out. A proven history of creating dynamic scripts to capture complex character personalities and emotional thematic elements.
Professional Experience
Screenwriter, Warner Bros. Studios, New York, NY
October 2016 – Present
- Write, edit, and revise screenplay for Denis Villeneuve’s science fiction epic, Dune, in collaboration with the director, screenwriters, and production teams, and perform background research on the novel and world to bring directorial vision to life
- Coordinate with a team of screenwriters to edit and revise the screenplay for Knives Out and attend meetings with the director and production teams to analyze dialogue, scene transitions, and pacing throughout the film
Screenwriter, Warner Bros. Studios, New York, NY
May 2011 – May 2016
- Coordinated with a team of screenwriters to develop a 140-page script for Blade Runner 2049, analyzed Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner to ensure narrative continuity, and ensure alignment with the director’s creative vision
- Provided feedback and constructive criticism to screenwriters on dialogue choice and ensured narrative cohesion through strategic placement of flashbacks
Education
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Screenwriting
Columbia University, New York, NY, September 2007 – May 2011
Key Skills
- Screenwriting
- Filmmaking
- Character Dialogue
- Narrative Storytelling
- Editing
Tips for Writing a Better Screenwriter Resume
As a screenwriter, your resume is intended to complement your professional writing portfolio and provide prospective employers with insights into your most prominent career achievements. Use this opportunity to provide production companies and studios with insights into your writing process and how you approach subjects such as character development and dialogue. Although your portfolio will play the most prominent role in whether you receive an interview, creating a compelling resume can provide additional context that will enhance the overall strength of your application. Below, you’ll find three expert tips to help you refine the content of your screenwriter resume:
1. Name Drop Key Projects in Your Professional Profile
In the entertainment industry, you have a limited window to make your pitch. A resume is no different, and you’ll want to create a professional profile that immediately grabs the reader’s attention. One way to achieve this result is by dropping names of key projects you’ve worked on in the past, especially if they’re recognizable. In the example below, the job seeker highlights their experience working on several major television shows for HBO, which speaks to their experience and credibility as a screenwriter:
Profile
A Screenwriter with five years of experience within the television industry, specializing in narrative storytelling, character dialogue, symbolism, and editing. A strong history of writing compelling screenplays for major television productions such as True Detective, Game of Thrones, and Westworld.
2. Showcase Your Writing Style
Your portfolio will demonstrate the end results of your writing efforts, but it won’t provide insights into your decision-making process or writing methodology. This is especially important for projects where you might be adapting source material from a novel or previously existing film.
In the example below, the job seeker draws attention to the research they conducted prior to writing the script in order to drive effective world-building through character dialogue:
- Wrote, edited, and refined screenplays for two seasons of Game of Thrones in collaboration with showrunners, screenwriters, and directors
- Conducted research on background material from novels and author notes to accurately capture character personalities and drive holistic world-building through dialogue, which included crafting dynamic character interactions to avoid exposition
3. Highlight Your Ability to Collaborate with Creative Teams
Screenwriting is often a collaborative effort, especially for larger film and television productions, and it’s important to highlight your ability to coordinate with creative teams and directors during the writing process. Screenplays undergo a number of revisions before the final product is delivered and demonstrating your experience working in fast-paced team environments will be valuable to prospective employers. In the example below, the job seeker does an effective job of providing tangible examples of them collaborating with diverse teams during large-scale productions:
Screenwriter, Warner Bros. Studios, New York, NY
October 2016 – Present
- Write, edit, and revise screenplay for Denis Villeneuve’s science fiction epic, Dune, in collaboration with the director, screenwriters, and production teams, and perform background research on the novel and world to bring directorial vision to life
- Coordinate with a team of screenwriters to edit and revise the screenplay for Knives Out and attend meetings with the director and production teams to analyze dialogue, scene transitions, and pacing throughout the film
Key Skills Hiring Managers Look for on Screenwriting Resumes
Most production companies are unlikely to rely on Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), but it’s still important to incorporate key aspects of screenwriting terminology on your resume. Highlighting these unique skill sets will help show prospective employers that you understand the nuances of creating screenplays for television and film productions. Below, you’ll find a list of key terms to aid you during your search for screenwriter positions on the open market:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Celtx | Character Development |
| Character Dialogue | Copy Editing |
| Copywriting | Creative Writing |
| Editing | English |
| Film Production | Narrative Storytelling |
| Pacing | Plot Development |
| Proofreading | Screenwriting |
| Script Writing | Scrivener |
| Storyist | Storytelling |
| StudioBinder | WriterDuet |
| Writing | |
Common Action Verbs for Screenwriter Resumes
It’s easy to find yourself running out of action verbs to illustrate your professional experience and accomplishments during the resume-building process. As a writer by trade, you already understand the importance of avoiding word repetition in your work. Differentiating your usage of action verbs on your resume can create a more compelling reading experience for the hiring manager and keep your content fresh. Below, you’ll find a list of common action verbs you can use to craft your screenwriter resume:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Analyzed | Coordinated |
| Collaborated | Crafted |
| Created | Developed |
| Edited | Enhanced |
| Evaluated | Identified |
| Implemented | Improved |
| Led | Managed |
| Oversaw | Performed |
| Proofread | Provided |
| Refined | Revised |
| Supported | Wrote |
How to Align Your Resume With the Job Description
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, screenwriters within the motion picture and video industries generated average annual salaries of $124,120 in 2021. The film industry is one of the most competitive fields within the job market. You’ll need to build a compelling portfolio and a strong resume to differentiate yourself from the applicant pool during your job search. Major production companies will be most interested in seeing specific projects you worked on, especially if the film or television show is widely recognized. The resume is meant to complement your professional portfolio, as you’ll be able to provide deeper insights and context for the projects you worked on and your writing methodology.
Aligning your resume with the job posting can give you a significant edge over the competition in most instances, but screenwriter positions require a different approach from more traditional openings. Most likely, there will not be a complete job description toward which you can tailor your document. When it comes to finding work in the entertainment industry and hiring an agent, networking and connecting with other artists have a much larger impact.
Instead of tailoring your resume toward job descriptions, you should instead focus on aligning your document with your writing portfolio in order to provide production companies with additional context and insights into your writing style, methodology, and career achievements. The quality of your writing will always be the determining factor, but the resume can serve as another helpful tool to get your foot in the door in a highly competitive field.