If you’ve ever been confused about the terms, screenwriter and scriptwriter.

Let’s break it down in the most engaging way possible!

A screenwriter writes scripts specifically for film, television, and digital content (like web series or streaming shows). Their job isn’t just about writing dialogue; it involves structuring a story visually and cinematically.

Think of screenwriters as architects of the screen, they don’t just tell a story; they create a blueprint that directors, actors, and cinematographers follow to bring the vision to life.

Developing story ideas for films and TV shows

Writing screenplays with specific formatting (e.g., scenes, dialogue, transitions)

Collaborating with directors and producers to refine scripts

Creating visual screenplays, meaning they "show" rather than "tell"

A scriptwriter, on the other hand, writes scripts for various formats beyond just film and TV. This could include theatre plays, radio dramas, podcasts, commercials, corporate videos and video game scripts

Scriptwriters focus on structuring dialogue and narrative flow, but their work isn’t always as visual as a screenwriter’s. Some scriptwriters even create instructional or training videos; basically, if it has a script, they can write it!