What is a scriptwriter’s salary? How much are they paid per script?

Scriptwriters earn, but it is rarely a salary. They are paid by the project (i.e. film or series) and how much they make depends on what all they do.

If this is new terrain for you, let us start with understanding the industry a little better. There are three components to the creation of a screenplay: Story, screenplay and dialogue. 

Story: Normally 10-15 pages, the story is a high-level sequence of events. This has all characters and conflict but minimal setting, description or dialogue.

Screenplay: This is the story expanded to 50 pages. The beat sheet sits between a story and a screenplay.

Masterclass defines a beatsheet as “the precursor to a screenplay outline: it identifies the important moments in an episode or feature film and lays out what needs to happen in each act of the story. The beat sheet identifies the key emotional moments in a story, while the outline expands on those moments with specific scenes, settings, and details.”

Dialogue: usually 1 minute per page. A film is normally assumed at 120 minutes so for a film this will average around 120 pages, and it is more for a show. For a show, the assumptions are 8 shows per season and each show is 30 minutes, so the duration becomes 30X8 = 240 minutes (pages) or twice as long as a film. Dialogue writing is often done with FDX software.

Strangely, although a film is about half the length of a show, the money for writing them is not very different. 

That is because not every script is shot. Shows have a higher likelihood of being shot than a film. Films are often not made because of casting issues: the star or well-known actor the producer had in mind is not available or is not willing to sign the film. 

In that case also the writer gets paid, but only in part. They may only get 40-45% of the total (the writer will have a contract with tranches set up accordingly). However, for a show, the chances of it getting made are higher, so you may get the full amount in the contract. 

An established writer with successful projects behind them can charge in the crores for a screenplay. However, a new person, with no background, 5-6 lakhs for a film/show. More experienced: (average: story/screenplay/dialogue) 20-40 lakhs. It is the same for a film and a show.

Another thing that can drain a writer’s time and reduce how lucrative a project is, is rewrites. Some scripts are easily accepted and sail through with little editing. Others may involve significant rewriting. This may be beyond a writer’s control and can stretch a project a lot.

Once established you can get 4-5 lakhs per episode. Assuming 8 episodes to the season that is decent money. Often the dialogue is separate from the screenplay, but then it pays a proportionately lesser amount. Our faculty “Divya Prakash Dubey” wrote the Hindi dialogue for the Ponniyin Selvan 2. The writer’s brand also matters. Established writers can charge in the range of 60-80 lakhs for a film/series. Big names can charge a crore or more.

How these writing projects are executed also varies. In rare cases, a single individual may take on an entire project and do everything: story, screenplay and dialogue. Most projects are run by groups of writers that make up a writer’s room, and such well-known names mostly run multiple projects in parallel, in the hope that more will actually get made. 

Only when a show or film is made does your work get out in the public domain. Only then do you get any recognition or respect. A canned show doesn’t help a writer’s credentials, although it may still pay them. 

Another determining factor is who is the client. Amazon and Netflix pay higher than other players in the market. Some companies like TVF etc. also hire salaried full-time writers but such opportunities are rare. 

Sources of Income for Screenwriters:

Screenwriters can earn from multiple sources that reflect the multifaceted nature of their profession within the entertainment industry. These sources of income include both upfront payments and ongoing compensation. Here are the primary sources of income for screenwriters:

1. Script Sales is one of the main sources of income for screenwriters. They can pitch and sell their original scripts to production companies or independent producers. In this case, the payment is upfront and is negotiated based on the project’s potential.

2. Writing Assignments are where screenwriters take on screenplay assignments based on a producer/director’s concepts and ideas, and/or book adaptations. These assignments also call for upfront payment but the fee structure depends on project scope and complexity.

3. Rewrites and Script Doctoring are also writing assignments that screenwriters can take on that come with upfront payment based on the extent of rewriting required.

4. Screenwriters can often expect royalties generated by the distribution of their content. They can be in the form of ongoing and extra income for screenwriters.

6. Screenwriters may earn one-time Option Payments when a production company or studio acquires the exclusive right to develop their script. This payment allows the company or studio to explore the project’s potential without fully committing to production.

7. When a project performs exceptionally well, production houses may offer the screenwriter a Production Bonus as a one-time payment.

8. EP Fees: When screenwriters also serve as executive producers (EPs), they command a fee that is separate and additional to their fees for the screenplay. This fee depends upon the amount of responsibilities undertaken by the screenwriter.

9. Screenwriters may at times secure staff writing positions on a particular series or number of series with a television channel. These positions offer a regular salary and fees.

10. Experienced screenwriters can take on teaching screenwriting workshops and offer script consultations to supplement their income.

Factors Influencing Screenwriter Salaries

Now that we know the different sources of income for a screenwriter, we should take a look at the factors that influence the fee structure. Here are some key factors that determine a screenwriter’s salary:

1. Type of Project

The type of project is a major factor in determining the fee. If a script is commissioned or picked up by a major studio or production house for a star-studded project for the silver screen or a major OTT platform, the fee for it is bound to be higher than for a mid-level project. 

2. Experience and Reputation:

Like in any other industry, the experience and reputation of a screenwriter can determine the fee that they can command. A screenwriter who is already established with a number of ‘hits’ under their belt, will command a substantial fee while new screenwriters may struggle to find work.

3. Negotiation Skills:

A screenwriter’s ability to negotiate terms can impact their fees too. Aside from the upfront fee, they often have to negotiate royalty and bonus percentages. Skilled negotiators are bound to land better compensation.

4. Co-Writing and Collaborations:

Many projects require multiple writers, especially large-scale productions. In such cases, the fee depends on the overall arrangement.

5. Geographic Location:

The cost of living and the local industry’s standards can also affect the income scale. For instance, the Hindi film industry based in Mumbai may pay its screenwriters more than the Bengali screenwriters based in Kolkata.

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