MA Writing for Script and Screen careers

Whether working on an original concept or an existing story, a screenwriter is responsible for adapting ideas for the screen, structuring them in a compelling way, and laying the groundwork for a great movie or TV series to come. MA Writing for Script and Screen graduates have all the key skills to get noticed as a screenwriter. You’d achieve this through the creation of engaging storylines, three-dimensional characters and stories that speak to important social issues. 

Behind every successful theatre production is a skilled playwright. This role entails writing dramatic material for the purposes of on-stage performances. You’ll be immersed in current trends and concepts, and use your knowledge of what makes a good story to create an essential blueprint for plays and productions. A largely freelance role, you may supplement your income as a production assistant or within teaching.

You could use your talents in character and plot creation to write novels, short stories, or poetry. An author or novelist often works on a freelance basis and requires a good imagination, research skills, and a passion for the subject or genre. Typically you’ll spend your time conducting research, developing ideas, and writing and editing engaging prose that’s a pleasure to read.

This is an ideal career path for film and TV enthusiasts, allowing you to combine your skills and passions in a dynamic industry. It’s a great way to get immersed into the world of cinema, and could gain you some valuable connections for future opportunities. A critic typically spends their time writing articles on movies and TV series, considering areas such as acting, direction, storyline, and cinematography. As an MA Writing for Script and Screen graduate, you’ll get to use your critical analysis and excellent writing skills to create features with sharp perspective and unique style.

A copywriter can work across a multitude of industries creating engaging content for advertising and marketing materials. Depending on the content’s purpose, you could use your skills for the written word to inform, entertain, persuade, or invoke an emotional response. This role would also require a keen eye for detail and the ability to creatively tell a story.

Writers for radio or podcasts are usually tasked with coming up with ideas and writing scripts for live shows or recordings. You'll work closely with presenters to research topics, interview contributors, and on some occasions assist with recording and editing. Using your strong interpersonal skills and creativity, you'll create engaging scripts that consider tone of voice and descriptive storytelling.

Working alongside a production team at various stages, a television writer develops original scripts for TV programmes. If you choose to pursue this career path, you could decide to focus on areas including soap operas, dramas, and comedies, whilst understanding the key nuances between genres. TV writing requires a strong focus on collaborative working as you will likely sit as part of a wider writing team. This is something you will gain lots of experience in as a student on the MA Writing for Script and Screen. 

Scripts are no longer limited to theatre and film. Story driven video games require skilled writers to develop tone, themes, characters, and dialogues that are engaging and immersive throughout. They also need to consider how the player will interact with the narrative to understand the story. Writing for games is a collaborative process and you’d normally work closely with programmers, games designers, and developers to refine an exciting player experience.