Screenwriting : Script Editors by Rose Drabble

Screenwriting success or testimonials from successful screenwriters would be the most traditional route. An MFA and a professorship would help.

Script editors are members of the production team on a TV show (typically) and they are writers themselves. The SE position is part of the ladder you climb to become a producer on a show. You usually have to have had experience as a writer on a TV show and have a track record. These are not positions that you can get experience doing coming out of an MFA program OR teaching at some university :) And the only way "testimonials" will mean anything is if some big showrunner is recommending you to some other showrunner (who is their best friend and they owe them a huge favor) to give you a job, or friends of the producers are all batting for you to get the job. No one will care that people think you're great and then sign letters of recommendation :) Show them "testimonials" and they'll laugh you out of the production office. The way this works is ... you know soemone who is a showrunner or producer on a show and they are willing to bring you on board to do the job... or they hire you to write and then you work your way up the pecking order to SE. If you don't have a shoe in the door already, then you'll have to scramble for a writing job like everyone else... or maybe start as a writing room assistant and then slowly move up. It's very competitive and you typically don't get these jobs unless you have worked in TV on a show before. You can't take classes in story editing and then apply for the job. Doesn't work like that. It's all networking and experience in TV. I'm sure othes will add more info... but these are the basics. GOOD LUCK.

Hi Rosie, everyone's journey is different. It also depends who your target customers are? If you want to edit for Spec writers you are in the right place. Do a few with testimonials for payment. It will also let you know if you are up to the task.

Hi Jeff Lyons, I respectfully offer a correction - in the US, "STORY Editor" is the term you are referring to, not "Script Editor." "Script Editor" is the standard term in countries like England and Australia for a development consultant role, either freelance or on staff. https://www.aftrs.edu.au/short-courses/script-editing-for-tv/W560 (In the US, we call them script consultants. In other countries, this role is standard and well-defined, known as "script editor." The script editor role occurs in both TV and Film. You can Google "Working Title script editor" and see how prevalent England's use of script editors is. Working Title refers to the prestigious British production company Working Title Films.)

Thank you for all of your replies. Any advice is much appreciated. The job role that I was speaking about is as Regina says. I was unsure what you call "script editors" in America. Apologies for any confusion! From what I know from my three years studying Screenwriting you can get a job as a script editor at entry level (though they are highly competitive roles) and are a good way of getting your foot in the door if you want to go on to write yourself. Whereas, if you are more interested in the production side of things, a good entry role is being a runner. As it currently stands I writing a three part drama with a team of screenwriters (www.scriptflix.co.uk) and I do have experience with both script editing/writing feedback on scripts/suggesting changes to improve scripts ect. Perhaps I'm better changing my question to tips for script consultants? Many thanks, Rosie

To add onto my comment, and to reply to @Craig D Griffiths, I would be happy edit scripts in return for testimonials. Do you have any advice on how I can offer my services/ how to find spec writers willing to do this? Many thanks, Rosie.

The number 1 question Wannabe Writers will ask , "what have you done" and followup question, "Who do you know?"

@Rose: Message screenwriters on Stage32 offering services in return for a testimonial. I'd be happy to write a testimonial in return for feedback.

I'll send you one. More than happy to get feedback. Plus figure out your payment method. Make it as easy as possible for people to give you money. Customer service is the key. Word of mouth will be your friend. The referral is king.

Dear Rosie Drabble: I think your questions, your post, and the responses you just got to your last question answer that last question; There are already two people willing to lend a testimonial for feedback. It's kind of a win-win situation for you both in that you get experience doing some story editing/script editing or whatever you want to title it, while the script writers are getting some feedback on their scripts. With each script you do, you can keep a log of what you changed, not specifically the wording, but in general to keep as a "resume builder" of sorts to show that you have been proactive in wanting to be a story editor/script editor or whatever you want to title it. This way you won't just have a testimonial, but also all of the higher overview details of what you did for that testimonial. Just some thoughts. Sincerely, John German

Regina---HA... yes... my bad. Mixed my metaphors. Thanks for correcting. My comments were about Story Editors. So... pretend I was never here.

Hunt down the Seth Godin Start Up School podcast. There are about a dozen episodes. He goes into great detail about how to start a business. Not forms and Crap, but thinking and finding the right customers. After all we are in the film BUSINESS. But for you Rosie it is a must listen.

The best advice I ever received was to read and treat every script you assess as you'd want yours to be treated.

Thanks for the advice everyone! It's been incredibly helpful and informative and I'll try to take it on board. Right now, I think I'm going to offer my feedback/Script editor skills in return for testimonials. If anyone wants to get feedback on their script, feel free to message me, and I would be more than happy to take a look. Kind Regards, Rosie.

Just edit back from Rosie. Really good work. She found heaps of things. Looking at my script I had become blind to them. Plus some auto-format functions in my software I hadn't pick up as mistakes. Once she posts her prices I'll use her again. She is a real editor, insightful and accurate. Well done Rosie.