I’m Phil Gladwin. I’ve worked writing scripts and script editing in the TV industry since 1995, and this site is dedicated to bringing you authoritative information on how to write a screenplay.

If you’re here looking for real, practical script writing techniques you need my easy-to-follow instructions on how to write a screenplay.

Unlike most of the script writing methods you’ll read about online that are created by so called ‘experts’, the plan I give you in this package is HIGHLY unusual, in that I’ve actually WRITTEN and SOLD many scripts, and the techniques I teach are actually based on my practical experience of what works and what doesn’t.

In fact it’s a complete step by step script writing method that I have used, time and time again, to write screenplays that have been produced, and broadcast, and seen by audiences of millions.

If you want to go to the next level with your writing you can book your place on one of my upcoming screenwriting workshops. Don’t miss out on this rare opportunity to get real insider advice from a professional screenwriter.

The second Screenwriting Goldmine screenplay competition closes on May 9th. You still have chance to enter your script and win some meetings with major industry players. (More details here.)

If you’ve come here looking for advice on pitching your story or a script, then you’ll need to check out The Fearless Pitcher’s Handbook. It contains a simple – and bullet proof – way to pitch your screenplay successfully.

Finally, if you want current leads on production companies looking for writers, you should subscribe to my newsletter by entering your name and email address in the form to the right. Every week I send out details of at least one current script request from a professional production company.

Who Am I?

The first thing to say is I’m a real person. You can look me up on IMDB, and on Wikipedia.

I’m a writer, just like you – I’ve been one for as long as I can remember.

I started off writing song lyrics as a teenager. In my twenties and early thirties I wrote science fiction novels and short stories.

I didn’t do very well at that. In fact I did terribly, so when the chance came to work at the BBC Drama Department in 1995 I jumped at the chance at finally finding out how story telling really worked.

That was the best move I ever made. Something about me and drama just clicked, in the way me and prose never had.

For the next five years I worked as a script editor for several different TV companies on various high profile dramas like The Bill, Casualty, Berkeley Square, and Bugs, and I also did stints in house working on developing new shows.

Script Editing is The Best Training For  a Script Writer

Working on those high volume, mass market shows was like Commando Boot Camp – when a script isn’t working, the production team is waiting for you, and the director is banging on your door demanding the latest draft, you learn how to make a story work to reach an audience pretty quickly!

After five years of those kind of highs I thought I had learned enough to get back to what I really wanted to do: write my own screenplays.

I took a chance and resigned. I was lucky enough to pick up a commission within two weeks, and I’ve never stopped writing since.

My Many Types Of Drama

Ever since then I’ve written for, and helped storyline, most genres of TV. I’ve worked on treatments, pitches, story documents, and screenplays for many episodes of some very different shows.

I’ve written dark, twisted crime for Lynda La Plante, I’ve written much more jolly episodes of children’s TV Shows (Grange Hill and the Sarah Jane Adventures). Recently I’ve script doctored a five part drama series for Irish TV.

I’ve written stage plays that have toured nationally, I’ve written radio plays, I’ve been nominated for the Dennis Potter Award twice by a major production company – and I’m delighted to say that this year (2013) my BBC Radio 4 play Mad Girl was nominated for a British Journalists award for the best handling of a medical issue on any broadcast media.

Which all goes to show that, unlike many of the people who are out there giving out script advice, I actually do have the direct experience of starting at the blank page, and finishing up with a production script. I’ve done this many, many times.

Before you get into the main site I thought it might be worth going over the basics:

Are There Currently Increased Tax Incentives in Place For UK Film Making?

Yes there are. In many ways there has never been a better time to get into the industry. In fact I am working on a screenplay at the moment for a movie project funded in this way. More information on the government’s moves here.

What is a Screenplay?

A “screenplay”, or “script”, is a document produced by a screenwriter (scriptwriter) which acts as a blueprint for an episode of TV, or a movie.

It is very distinctive, and takes a very special kind of writing as it concentrates on telling a story through what characters do, and what they say, rather than elaborate descriptions of locations and characters’ states of mind.

If you see the relationship of a screenplay to a film as being the same as a musical score to an orchestral concert, or an architectural plan to the finished building, you’ll be on the right track.

What is Scriptwriting? What is Screenwriting?

This is the process of writing a screenplay. It’s a very specific skill, concentrating on a very tight, very worked out telling of a story. Though it’s similar to writing a stage play there are very significant differences.

It is normally also a very collaborative process. During the life of the project it is entirely normal for a screenwriter to get detailed notes from the director and the producer (and sometimes others on the production team) asking for fairly radical changes.

What Does a Screenplay Look Like?

Scripts have a very distinctive layout on the screen. You can see a good example of a typical screenplay format here.

You can find many, many examples of screenplays from existing TV shows and movies here, and here. But bear in mind that over the years the format has changed massively. The trend in screenplay format has always been towards slimming down, and making what’s on the page look slimmer, more lean, more sparse.

How Do You Make a Career as a ScreenWriter?

First and foremost you need to have written one or more great scripts. Beyond that you will discipline, self sacrifice, social ability, and luck – sometimes for years on end.

Though it is a challenge, it can be done. I, and the working screenwriters, I know are proof that you can break into this apparently closed shop with no experience or family connections

For those who manage to get hired on a regular basis the financial rewards can substantial – the going rate for a hour length screenplay on a British TV show can be anything from £10K to £30K (c. $16K USD to $48K USD) or higher, and if you write a movie you’d expect to be paid something like 2% of the gross production budget. (Yes, so if your movie has a budget of £10 million you could well be paid somewhere in the region of £200,000/$320,000.) Check with the UK Writers Guild, or the US Writers Guild, for more information.

What’s more, around the world rates for scripts can vary massively. Personally I’ve never worked in the USA, but I hear that you getting hired in the USA can add a zero to the UK figures.

Competition

Of course the industry is incredibly competitive. There are many people who dream of this kind of work, and who will work for years for no money just for their big chance. The studios tend to have all the power, and many low to mid ranking writers struggle to last more than a few years.

On the plus side, I still think it’s quite possibly the best job in the world. I’d like to help you with what I know about it all, and then maybe you can write back and tell me how it feels to be a working writer yourself.

I’m afraid I still can’t believe people pay me to write for a living. It’s just so enjoyable.

And, Finally, a Quick Taster

Just to illustrate what I mean, here is the trailer for two episodes of a Dr Who spinoff called The Sarah Jane Adventures I wrote a few years back. As I mentioned, I’ve written all sorts of drama, but this was a particularly fun job. It’s quite a short extract, but it’ll give you the flavour of the story:

Imagine a life where your job is to day dream for a living..!

My hope is that this site will help you take a few steps closer to that yourself.

So start by checking out these terrific resources:

• The Screenwriting Goldmine step by step instructions on how to write a screenplay
• The Goldmine Guider – a spreadsheet based storylining tool
• Enter my industry recognised script contest
• Read about my screenwriting courses
• See what other people are talking about in my busy screenwriting forum

Or, if you don’t see the advice you need, then why don’t you drop me an email and let me know what’s missing.

Welcome to the Goldmine!

Phil Gladwin