Overview

This standard is about ensuring that commissioned scripts are of the required standard, and that they conform to the agreed brief.  It is about advising on all script related matters associated with the production and managing the relationship between the writer and the production.

It is also about delivering an authentic and quality script or adaptation which has been created in collaboration with all relevant parties

You need to be mindful that the creative process is, by its nature, not tangible. You have to manage a range of creative relationships in a flexible and collaborative manner, in order to create a well-formed script.

This standard is for those involved in script-writing including script editors and writers.

 

Performance Criteria 

You must be able to:

  1. provide writers with information to enable them to meet the style, content, form and any special considerations associated with production briefs
  2. generate creative ideas and story ideas to meet production briefs
  3. ensure that the treatment of established characters and continuity within story lines is consistent
  4. produce drafts to deadline to meet requirements within deadline
  5. inform script writers of the financial implications of editorial decisions
  6. refer to senior management to resolve doubts or competing views that may arise in relation to scripts
  7. co-ordinate and communicate all script changes to relevant people
  8. verify that scripts are prepared in required formats
  9. confirm that action has been taken to avoid copyright infringement, libel or defamation and negative checks have been carried out

 

Knowledge and understanding

You need to know and understand:  

  1. where to obtain information on budget limitations for script development
  2. how to assess the financial consequences of editorial decisions
  3. the legal implications associated with the production process, including copyright law and agreements with industry guilds
  4. how scripts should be structured and presented
  5. how to work with writers on plot and characterisation
  6. how to assist writers to turn good ideas into creative writing for film and television
  7. how to work with writers to nurture their script writing abilities
  8. how to balance the needs of the production with those of the script writers
  9. how to ensure that the writer achieves the correct tone and content for characters and location in scripts
  10. how to manage the development process to deliver quality scripts on time and on budget