How to hire a Scriptwriter: Writers Guild of Great Britain rates at a glance
If you’re looking to hire a professional scriptwriter (or if you are one!) it’s important to understand the industry rates and what goes into pricing for high-quality work.
Various bodies set industry standard rates, they include the Writers' Guild of Great Britain (WGGB) for TV, film, audio drama, and theatre; the Independent Theatre Council (ITC) and Theatre National Committee (TNC) for theatre.
As an independent scriptwriter who supports projects that are both in production and being created speculatively, I provide bespoke fees that align with Writers’ Guild of Great Britain (WGGB) minimums. I also offer flexibility based on project scope, complexity, and negotiation.
For more on my scriptwriting rates, click here.
Hire a scriptwriter for a feature film
Film scripts are priced according to the production budget. Standard industry rates include:
High-Budget Films (£2M+): £40,000 – £50,000+
Mid-Budget Films (£750K – £2M): £20,000 – £30,000
Low-Budget Films (<£750K): £15,000 – £20,000
These rates typically cover two full drafts and revisions. Additional drafts or rewrites can be negotiated based on project needs.
For more details, check out the Writers Guild of Great Britain Feature film rates: WGGB Film Rates
Hire a scriptwriter for a TV series
TV script fees depend on format and broadcaster. For example, BBC and ITV fees would range from £9,000 - £15,000, per hour of screen time. ITV TV (Per Hour)
For further details, visit WGGB TV rates: WGGB TV Rates
Hire a scriptwriter for an audio series or podcast
BBC radio drama rates range from £70 - £120 per minute. Podcast drama fees vary by length, typically £350 - £2,500+ per episode.
For full details, see WGGB Audio Drama rates: WGGB Audio Drama Rates
Hire a scriptwriter to write a play
Theatre scripts are typically paid via a commissioning fee plus a royalty split from ticket sales. Rates range from £9,500 - £15,000+ depending on the production scale.
Independent Theatre Council (ITC): £9,500 – £10,500
Theatre National Committee (TNC): £12,000 – £14,000+
UK Theatre (Large-Scale): £13,000 – £15,000+
Check WGGB theatre rates here: WGGB Theatre Rates
Photo Credit: Andre Taissin
