Table 1Transition record

writertoscript writer

A writer already meets 40% of what the script writer role asks for. The move turns on 12 required skills not yet in the profile.

From writer

40%

Overlap1

To script writer

12 Skills carried over

12 Required, not held

65 Difficulty2

adjacent 0–30

moderate 30–55

substantial 55–75

career change 75–100

this move, 65

This move: 65 of 100 · substantial

1 Share of the script writer role’s weighted skill requirement already met by the writer profile. Required skills count in full, supplementary skills at 0.35. Directional: the figure for the reverse move differs. 2 Combines what is missing with how specialised it is, so a gap of general skills scores easier than the same number of narrow ones.

Table 2

Table 2 · What you already bring

Of the 12 skills that carry over, these are the ones fewest other occupations ask for. A script writer role needs them, and most people applying for one will not have them already. This is the part of a writer background worth leading with.

Skill the target role also needs Area

already held write dialogues communication, collaboration and creativity
already held write storylines communication, collaboration and creativity
already held promote one's writings communication, collaboration and creativity
already held types of literature genres arts and humanities
already held consult with editor communication, collaboration and creativity
already held manage writing administration information skills

All 12 carried skills, including the 9 the script writer role treats as required.

Table 3

Table 3 · What you would need to learn

The 21 missing skills fall into 5 areas of the ESCO skill hierarchy, numbered below in the order worth working in: the areas carrying the most required skills come first, and inside each one the required skills sit above the supplementary ones.

Skill to acquire Tier

01 communication, collaboration and creativity 7 required, 7 supplementary

required, not held create a shooting script required
required, not held develop script bible required
required, not held summarise stories required
required, not held consult with motion picture producer required
required, not held consult with production director required
required, not held deliver a sales pitch required
required, not held manage feedback required

optional, not held adapt a script optional
optional, not held attend read-through optional
optional, not held familiarise with personal directing styles optional
optional, not held write voice-overs optional
optional, not held develop professional network optional
optional, not held give live presentation optional
optional, not held manage contracts optional

02 arts and humanities 2 required

required, not held screenwriting theories required
required, not held film production process required

03 management skills 2 required

required, not held finish project within budget required
required, not held follow work schedule required

04 information skills 1 required

required, not held study topics required

05 information and communication technologies (icts) 2 supplementary

optional, not held computer equipment optional
optional, not held office software optional

Table 4

Table 4 · Where to start

The 3 entries a script writer role is least likely to hire without. The ordering is computed from the skill data, not from what pays.

Each entry opens a course search for that skill. Career Overlap earns nothing from these links.

Appendix

Appendix · The rest of the record

All 12 skills that carry over

Skill Type

already held consult information sources skill
already held consult with editor skill
already held copyright legislation knowledge
already held develop creative ideas skill
already held literature knowledge
already held use specific writing techniques skill
already held write dialogues skill
already held write storylines skill
already held writing techniques knowledge
already held manage writing administration skill
already held promote one's writings skill
already held types of literature genres knowledge

9 supplementary skills, helpful but not required

Skill to acquire Tier

optional, not held adapt a script optional
optional, not held attend read-through optional
optional, not held computer equipment optional
optional, not held familiarise with personal directing styles optional
optional, not held write voice-overs optional
optional, not held develop professional network optional
optional, not held give live presentation optional
optional, not held manage contracts optional
optional, not held office software optional

20 held skills the script writer role does not ask for

Skill Type

not needed by the target role apply grammar and spelling rules skill
not needed by the target role attend book fairs skill
not needed by the target role critically reflect on artistic production processes skill
not needed by the target role critique other writers skill
not needed by the target role develop an artistic framework skill
not needed by the target role evaluate writings in response to feedback skill
not needed by the target role grammar knowledge
not needed by the target role liaise with book publishers skill
not needed by the target role linguistics knowledge
not needed by the target role negotiate artistic productions skill
not needed by the target role negotiate publishing rights skill
not needed by the target role perform background research on writing subject skill
not needed by the target role proofread text skill
not needed by the target role publishing industry knowledge
not needed by the target role publishing market knowledge
not needed by the target role respect publication formats skill
not needed by the target role select subject matter skill
not needed by the target role spelling knowledge
not needed by the target role teach writing skill
not needed by the target role write to a deadline skill

4 gaps that are knowledge rather than practice

Knowledge gaps usually close through study. Practical skill gaps usually need something you can point at.

Skill to acquire Tier

required, not held screenwriting theories required
required, not held film production process required
optional, not held computer equipment optional
optional, not held office software optional

Index

Other moves recorded from writer

Full index of moves from writer

Note

How this record was compiled

Both occupations are taken from ESCO, which lists the skills and knowledge each occupation is expected to have and marks every one required or optional. Nothing here is a prediction about hiring, and nothing here knows that a particular employer wants a particular certificate. Treat Table 3 as a starting point for your own research rather than a syllabus. The full method states what these figures can and cannot tell you.