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This guide is a compilation of popular websites that promote or publish news, insights, contests, fellowships, jobs, books, blogs, and networking opportunities related to the screenwriting trade. It’s included here as a reference for students interested in writing for film and television.
To protect your intellectual property, two methods are recommended: The Writers Guild of America and the U.S. Copyright Office. The former comes in handy during credit arbitration for produced work; the latter is the only way to legally protect your writing.
Writing competitions are the best way to get yourself and your work recognized.
Here are some of the most reputable ones out there, plus a helpful calendar of upcoming entry deadlines for all contests.
After contests, submitting your work to databases accessed by entertainment executives is probably the next best thing.
Other avenues for exposure include websites that invite writers and filmmakers to submit their work in hopes of having it made into web videos, TV shows, or films.
Every year, major networks, studios and even film festivals invite the aspiring writers of tomorrow to apply to fellowship programs or labs, in which they groom their selected fellows for future careers.
In order to start a career, it’s important to know how the business side of “show business” works (e.g. how and when scripts are bought and sold, what’s trending, what’s not, etc.).
The following is a list of entertainment news sites, trade magazines, forums and tracking boards that will keep you in the loop.
Reading magazines, blogs, listening to podcasts, and watching videos made for (and often by) screenwriters can be both insightful and inspiring. From craft issues to career advice, here are some of the most popular publications to date.
Making connections in any industry is important and Hollywood is no different.
Aside from classes and workshops, getting involved in local writers groups or film markets can be a good start to meeting people in the profession and practicing what all writers must eventually do: pitch!
Before you write a script, read a script. One of the best ways to learn the art form is to study the scripts of some of your favorite films, from FADE IN to FADE OUT. Here are two of the most popular script databases online.
Most agents, managers, and studio executives do not accept unsolicited material, but sending a query letter is the most formal, preferred method of doing so.
Here is one of the best references available to find out who accepts what kind of material and where to send it.
Script Mag:
There are many books available as references for feature film and television writers.
Among the best are the Writers’ Program’s companion books that are modeled after the Program’s Feature Film and Television Writing curriculum.
Other recommended books:
Compilations:
11 Books That Every Aspiring Television Writer MUST Read
Go Into The Story: Free Screenwriting Resources
Screenplay formatting software is essential to screenwriting. In addition to the most notable programs available, a free option is available for download – called “Celtx” – which many of our students use. Other writing and film-making related materials can be found at shops like The Writers Store in Burbank, CA.
Every budding writer needs a day job. Here are some sites that list film & TV industry-related positions.
The Anonymous Production Assistant
All of our instructors are WGA members with produced credits, many of whom are still actively working in film or television. Here are some personal webpages or blogs we like to keep up with.
UCLA Library Film and Video Collections
Writers’ Program instructors sharing their best writing tips: https://www.youtube.com/user/WritersProgram
If you are a student or screenwriter who would like to share your suggestions for this site, please email us at writers@uclaextension.edu. We’d love to hear from you!
One writer, one project, from concept to completion.
In this podcast, Writers' Program Director and host Charlie Jensen invites one writer to sit down and recount how one of their projects made it into the world.
Listen and subscribe:
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