How to Become a Script Writer: Courses, Key Skills & Career Steps
To become a script writer in India, candidates should complete 10+2 and pursue a degree or diploma in scriptwriting by clearing entrance exams like FTII JET, WWI Test, or AAFT Test.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Eligibility | 10+2 passed from a recognized board |
| Average Course Fee | INR 80,000 to INR 3.76 LPA |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 4 – INR 8 LPA |
| Key Entrance Exams | FTII JET, Whistling Woods International Test, AAFT Test |
| Program Duration | 3 to 4 years (Undergraduate Degree) |
| Major Employment Sectors | Film industries, media & mass communication, private & government sectors, advertising |
Who is a Script Writer
- Media Formats: Scriptwriters write screenplays for feature films, TV shows, sitcoms, short films, commercials, plays, skits, cartoons, radio plays, and TV adverts.
- Core Responsibilities: They develop original ideas, adapt existing stories into scripts, write treatments, pitch screenplays to film executives, and weave visual components into scenes.
- Production Collaboration: Scriptwriters collaborate with directors and producers to edit and adjust scripts while working under tight production pressure.
They work closely with production teams to develop original material or adapt existing works for screen and broadcast media.
Courses to Become a Script Writer
Aspiring screenwriters in India can choose between long-term degree programs and short-term professional diplomas. Script writing course fees in India range from INR 80,000 to INR 3.76 LPA across various public and private institutes.
Top Indian institutes offering script writing courses include Delhi University (DU), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Lady Shri Ram College (LSR / LSRC), Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), Whistling Woods International (WWI), and Asian Academy of Film and TV (AAFT).
Skills Required
Screenwriting demands a balance of creative storytelling and technical execution.
Beyond language proficiency, scriptwriters must understand narrative pacing, character arcs, visual scene composition, and script editing. Collaborating with producers and directors while adhering to tight production timelines is essential for professional success.
Script Writer Specializations Across Film Genres
Scriptwriters write screenplays across formats including feature films, TV shows, sitcoms, short films, commercials, plays, skits, cartoons, radio plays, and TV adverts. Many begin their careers as copywriters or production company writers before transitioning into mainstream script writing.
Script Writer Salary
- Average Starting Salary: In India, average starting salaries for script writers range from INR 4 LPA to INR 8 LPA.
Job opportunities exist across film industries, corporations, private and government sectors, and media and mass communication.
How to Start a Career as Script Writer: Step by Step
- Check eligibility requirements: Ensure completion of 10+2 from a recognized board in any stream, ideally with strong language skills in English or Hindi.
- Select degree or diploma course: Choose between a 3-4 year undergraduate degree program or a short-term diploma/certificate in Scriptwriting.
- Prepare for entrance examinations: Prepare for national and institutional entrance tests such as FTII JET, Whistling Woods International Test, or AAFT Entrance Test.
- Apply and appear for entrance tests: Submit application forms for target institutes like FTII Pune, SRFTI Kolkata, WWI, or AAFT and appear for the exam.
- Clear cutoffs and attend selection rounds: Qualify exam cutoffs to participate in Group Discussions (GD), Personal Interviews (PI), and submit a research proposal if required.
- Gain practical industry experience: Complete internships during college, write short films, articles, or script treatments to build a professional portfolio.
| What to do | Where | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Compare colleges, fees and cutoffs | Script Writer (career) colleges in India | findmycollege.com |
FAQs
- How to become a screenwriter with no experience?
Beginners can jumpstart their career by writing short stories, mini-books, online articles, and blogs. Many scriptwriters also start as copywriters or writers for production companies before transitioning into mainstream script writing. - What are the responsibilities of a screenwriter?
Screenwriters develop original ideas or adapt existing stories, craft character arcs, dialogue, and plots, pitch treatments to film executives, and collaborate with directors and producers to revise scripts.
Pursuing relevant writing roles or formal education provides clear pathways to enter script writing. Building portfolio pieces like short stories and articles helps beginners establish a career without prior experience.
