How to Hire a Screenwriter (Union vs. Non-Union & What to Pay)
October 15, 2026 · 19 min
Why listen
Find out exactly how to hire a screenwriter without overpaying or stalling your film before it starts.
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In this episode
- How union and non-union rules affect who you can hire
- Where to find screenwriting talent for an indie production
- How to structure a payment deal that protects both sides
- What a production-ready script agreement should include
About this episode
Hiring the wrong writer - or overpaying without a solid agreement - can stall your film before pre-production even starts. In Episode 5, Jeff Deverett outlines everything you need to know about hiring screenwriters: navigating Union vs. Non-Union rules, sourcing talent, and structuring fair payment deals.
Learn how to get a professional, production-ready script for your next indie film!
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About Indie Filmmaking: Truth & Reality
Film school taught you how to make a movie—this show teaches you how to get it financed and distributed. In bite-sized 20-minute episodes, filmmaker and distribution expert Jeff Deverett gives you the real-world advice film schools leave out.
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