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Short Film Writer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Village Voice

Copy Writer

New York, NY

... film authority J. Hoberman, among many others. Over the past several months, the Voice has ... Write compelling long-and-short form body copy, headlines, taglines, etc. * Generate conceptual ...

Village Voice

Copy Writer

New York, NY · On-site

... film authority J. Hoberman, among many others. Over the past several months, the Voice has ... Write compelling long-and-short form body copy, headlines, taglines, etc. * Generate conceptual ...

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Short Film Writer information

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How much do short film writer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for short film writer in the United States is $24.29, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.51 and $27.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a short film writer do?

A Short Film Writer is responsible for creating the script or screenplay for a short film, typically under 40 minutes in length. They develop the story, characters, dialogue, and structure, ensuring the narrative is compelling and suitable for the condensed format. The writer collaborates closely with directors and producers to refine the script and adapt it to practical filming constraints. Their main goal is to tell a complete and engaging story within a limited timeframe.

What are some common challenges short film writers face when developing scripts within limited runtimes?

Short Film Writers often encounter the challenge of telling a compelling, complete story within a condensed timeframe, typically under 40 minutes. This requires careful selection of themes, efficient character development, and precise dialogue to ensure every scene advances the narrative meaningfully. Balancing creativity with brevity is key, as is collaborating closely with directors and producers to align the script with production constraints. Writers must also be adaptable, frequently revising drafts based on feedback from the creative team.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a short film writer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Short Film Writer, you need strong storytelling ability, scriptwriting expertise, and a solid grasp of cinematic structure, often supported by a background in film studies or creative writing. Familiarity with industry-standard screenwriting software like Final Draft or Celtx, and understanding of screenplay formatting, are critical technical skills. Creativity, adaptability to feedback, and strong communication help writers collaborate effectively with directors and producers. These skills ensure that scripts are compelling, professionally formatted, and suited for successful production in the fast-paced world of short filmmaking.

How much do short film writers get paid?

Short film writers typically earn between $0 and $1,000 per project, with pay often depending on the budget, experience, and whether the project is paid or unpaid. Many short film writers work on a volunteer basis or for credit, especially in independent filmmaking, but some paid opportunities exist for those with industry connections or a strong portfolio.

How to become a short film writer?

To become a short film writer, develop strong storytelling skills through writing practice and studying screenwriting techniques. Create a portfolio of short scripts, collaborate with filmmakers or join filmmaking communities, and gain experience by submitting work to festivals or online platforms. Familiarity with screenwriting software and understanding film production processes can also enhance your prospects.

What cities are hiring for Short Film Writer jobs?

Cities with the most Short Film Writer job openings:

What states have the most Short Film Writer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Short Film Writer jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Short Film Writer jobs?

For Short Film Writer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Short Film Writer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 14% Full Time, 29% Part Time, 29% Temporary, and 28% Nights. Highlights an 86% In-person, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,519 per year, or $24.3 per hour.

Research Assistant - Feature Film & AI Cross-Media Research Assistant

Depew, NY • Hybrid

Newschool
See more jobs at Newschoolexternal

$31.37/hr

Part-time

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

Position Purpose:

Faculty Research Assistant for professor Vladan Nikolic, Media Studies, Parsons School of Design for a feature film and cross-media project, centered on artificial intelligence.
The project involves a feature film, as well as the creation of transmedia cross-platform content related to artificialintelligence and a variety of narrative storylines, exploring AI technology for creative video and audio creation, as well as the implications associated with the use of artificial intelligence (such as, who controls information, how it is used and disseminated, systems of creation, productions and distribution, ownership and commodification of creative content, etc. ). Professor Nikolic is the lead of this project, as writer/director and producer.

Responsibilities:

  • The Research Assistant will do extensive research in the generative AI field, especially image and video generation platforms, commercial as well as open source; existing and emerging trends.

  • Coordination with project partners and collaborators - interfacing with the project's creative team and external industry partners and media companies.

  • Media content generation - collaborating with professor Nikolic and his team, the student would contribute to the production and editing of short narrative stories for the web and social media platforms.

  • Platform management related to the project - working with the project team to maintain and update content and user/audience engagement

Qualifications: The student should have experience with:

  • Social media management platforms - Social media marketing experience is a plus.

  • Video editing tools (Da Vinci Resolve and/or Adobe Premiere)

  • Familiarity with generative AI tools is a plus (esp. for image and video creation), although not required.

WORK MODE

  • Hybrid/Split - Employees hired for this position have regularly scheduled, consistent percentage of time on campus (ex 1-4x/week) and also work some of the time remotely. #LI-DNI

Hourly Rate: $31.37/hour

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement between SENS-UAW, Local 7902 and the University.

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion or belief, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, marital or domestic partnership status, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity or expression, age, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. The New School recognizes and values the benefits of a diverse workforce.

Responsibilities:

The student will work closely with professor Nikolic and his team, assisting in the creation of content for the project, and researching the various AI platforms and models - commercial and open source - as well as current and emerging trends and technologies in the field, primarily related to film and media creation. Some responsibilities include research collection, coordinating between project partners and collaborators, generating media content including editing and production, among others.

We look forward to receiving your application!

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