The Commissioning Process

Commissioning editors identify media products to publish in order to build up a publisher list they commission work by getting authors book proposals. Their role is like that of a buyer. They also ensure authors deliver typescripts to a specification and on time.

The role is like a book/magazine publisher. In magazine publishing, commissioning editors commission writers to produce articles and features. In the media industry (making films etc.) they have the final say on what will and what will not be published. They can also make changes in production

A producer’s role is to get a larger crew together, in order to create the finish product

A director’s role in the media industry is to make or suggest changes to the script; they are more likely to get their own way rather than the writers.

The script editors’ job role in all of this, their job is to suggest and make small changes to the script. 

The agent is someone who will find work for other writers, and actors. They typically get ten per cent of their contracts wage.

A writer will be writing the script for the show, play, book, magazine etc.

A corporation is somebody who I can get work from, or even submit work to hopefully get some work.

Independent production companies are somewhat smaller than other bigger companies such as the BBC; friendships can blossom from work that’s as close as the independent production companies. They typically have to hire more people from either freelance areas or bigger companies, costing them more money.

Independent directors or producers tend to just do the same jobs as normal directors and producers but on their own… they might multi task

Organisations We love the craft and creativity of great scripts and consider it a true honour to work with writers to help hone their vision and bring the characters and conflicts they have imagined to the screen.  (http://www.scriptfactory.co.uk/about/)

Competitions the winner will receive a six-month mentoring and development package with Hayley McKenzie from Script Angel. The package includes feedback on one project from outline to polished script. Plus development to treatment stage on a further three projects over the same six-month period. The mentoring period begins during the London Screenwriters Festival. Mentoring can take place over Skype should you live too far away from Script Angel / London. (http://www.londonscreenwritersfestival.com/london-screenwriters-six-month-mentoring-competition/#sthash.sp3LbmT8.dpuf) not only this but in the hope to be recognised and make it big in the media industry

Pre-production planning writers may have to make amendments to their script, and liaise with the story board artists, and be present for the re-writing of the scripts.

Script editing writers at this point can only suggest changes to their script; they are not likely to get what they want at this point. More writers may have to be hired if changes are to be made,

Director or producer involvement this is primarily will just be if they want changes to be made and if they want any more writers involved.

Shooting script production this is when you start to film the script production

Page lock-down is when the script is in the process of being filmed and no more copies or re-writes to be handed in. changes can be made in certain circumstances but the whole script is not to be changed just one page.

Adjustment during shooting stage

Once this stage occurs, there will be no more rewrites or edits, the script will be published and handed to the department. If any scenes do need to be rewritten and changed, locking the pages allows this to be easily tracked, so it keeps the revised and unrevised pages separate which will show the difference between the original script and the changes.

As a writer you have to manage your time wisely. Hours are not fixed and you may go several days, weeks, or months without writing anything. However, they may then go without sleep in order to meet tight dead lines. Most writers are freelance there fore their hours are really variable

·         Copy wright/plagiarism – this is when somebody copies you, copywright is put in place to stop this. Writers can be taken to court if they are found to be plagiarising  

·         Censorship – this is when you would be careful about the content of which you are producing, for the T.V., the watershed is put in place after 9pm meaning no offensive material will be shown before 9.

·         Liable – screen writers have to be very careful of publishing lies incase they then become liable to be sued.