Has the role of the screenwriter fundamentally changed?
Twenty years ago, the expectation was simple: write a great script and hope the right person discovered it.
Today, that no longer seems to be enough.
Writers are expected to understand branding, marketing, financing, packaging, social media, audience building, distribution, and even investor relations. In many cases, they're asked to be entrepreneurs before they're allowed to be storytellers.
The industry is also changing. Producers, studios, and platforms are increasingly looking for projects that come with proof of interest, a community, or a clear path to market. Talent is still essential, but visibility and execution have become equally valuable.
This raises an interesting question:
Should a screenwriter focus exclusively on writing the best possible story, or is learning the business side of filmmaking now an essential part of the profession?
I'm genuinely curious to hear different perspectives from writers, producers, executives, and filmmakers.
