These unseen stars craft the blueprint for every big motion picture hit we see in theaters today, yet their name often hides in the credits. As the popularity of reading is replaced by watching television, the next generation of writers is pivoting toward film as a career.
Hollywood film writer Daniel Rogers explains how critical the writer is to a story. Rogers has worked as a staff writer on the CW drama In the Dark and recently was a story editor on the Netflix series Partner Track.
“The role of a writer is instrumental to any project because, without a script, there is no project,” Rogers said.
Julia Burrow is a senior at the Episcopal School of Jacksonville who is passionate about film and aspires to major in production.
“When people look at movies, they look at the actors, and then you have your movie enjoyers who then talk about the directors,” Burrow said. “It narrows down to a niche collection of people who really enjoy film, or are filmmakers themselves, who know about writing and how hard writing can be, and know writers by name.”
Pursuing a film career is undoubtedly challenging and often requires years of dedication and persistence before a script is ready to be sold.
“The truth is that television and film are evolving quickly in ways that we can’t anticipate,”
Rogers said. “The great thing about the world today is it’s easier than ever to start working on your own stuff; people are making movies that are shot on iPhones…don’t be discouraged by the fact that when you’re first starting, your work isn’t going to be as good as others around you.”
Obtaining a job as a writer in the film industry is another exceedingly difficult challenge, and it often takes months or even years of unemployment to secure the job script. Recently, there has been a writers’ strike in Hollywood due to the under-appreciation of their work in film and television.
“As a result [of the strike], we gained a lot of opportunities in the entertainment industry,” Rogers said. “I’m not saying that there’s not still work to do, but I do think the writer strike proved that writers are a force to be reckoned with.”
While the strike highlighted the power of writers when united, the passion for storytelling remains a deeply personal and enduring force. Freelance film writer Gabrielle Makower reflects on what initially drew her to the world of film.
“When you realize your own unique perspective, you can delve into topics you find interesting,” Makower said. “That’s why we do it; it’s so fulfilling and fun to write.”
As a result of the increase in film and streaming services for entertainment, film writing tracks are becoming increasingly popular among graduating high school seniors who are deciding on their career paths.
Senior Ryan Backhus, an aspiring film writer at Saratoga High School, is attracted by film’s ability to open minds.
“Racial injustice, climate change, and political activism is an important piece of who I am,” Backhus said. “I want change in the world, and I want stories that call for change in the world.”
The next generation of film writers is confident that they will contribute to the growth of social inclusion and development.
“Our generation is part of the pioneers for change,” Backhus said. “Part of what we bring to the table is that attitude for change and bringing new solutions to the world, and we can advocate through film.”
Like Backhus, aspiring film writer Armando Treviño has high expectations for this generation’s creativity as a senior at St. Augustine High School.
“Already, we’re seeing something different with this generation, and I think the biggest difference will be what the LGBTQ+ screenwriters will bring to the table,” Treviño said. “I’m excited to see what kinds of diverse stories they and the rest of our generation will bring to the table that are fresh and exciting.”
While film writers often find similarities in their scripts, the differences in generations bring more perspectives and variety to the table. For junior Brendan Giang, these evolving perspectives inspire his own storytelling as he hopes to continue filming professionally.
“Every generation of writers will have something different to say,” Giang said. “We have grown up in this era of technology, data, and short-form content that has made a huge rise and I don’t know how that will pan out in the film industry, but I think we are going to see a shift in the type of content that we see and the voices that are uplifted.”
As new voices emerge and storytelling evolves, collaboration remains a cornerstone of success in the film industry. For any film writer, the ability to work within a writer’s room is essential and the pillar for a successful project.
“When you’re able to collaborate, you can challenge ideas and end up finding what’s the most interesting,” Makower said. “Before you can go too deep, people are checking you and challenging ideas to make sure you get the most successful product.”
Senior Koseli Thakali is the president of Whitemarsh High School’s film writing club
and highlights a film’s ability to foster collaboration through working closely with club members.
“[Film club has] a writer’s room of over twenty people, so I’ve grown used to immediate criticism and feedback,” Thakali said. “We rarely agree with each other right off the bat, and while that makes our process slow, it also makes it more thoughtful.”
Above all else, the uncanny joy the artists feel may be the most significant pull factor for a film.
“I think there’s a lot to be said in terms of just the joy in the art form,” Giang said.
“I said at the beginning, I want to write stories and I want to craft films that are interesting to watch in the moment, enjoyable to watch for everyone, but also, interesting to think about in the afterward,” Giang said.
What these writers have in common is the opinion that film writing holds the power to inspire change, challenge the status quo, and unite audiences across the globe.
As the next generation of writers soon step into the spotlight, their passion for storytelling promises to shape a more innovative, intriguing, and impactful future for the film industry. These stories linger long after the credits roll, these writers are not just creating scripts—they’re creating history.
“Art means nothing, film and television mean nothing, if it’s not coming from someone with a point of view, and if it’s not coming from somebody who’s lived and seen the world,” Rogers said. “So get out there and experience things, and bring those experiences back and put them into your art. Don’t be afraid to get personal and let other people see into the personal bends of your work.”
