In the past, roles in filmmaking were well-defined and directors may not have been brought on until later in pre-production. These days, a director is often hired in the early development stages or before a film is even financed. This allows them to collaborate with both writers and producers to shape the overall vision or their name alone can help attract a production budget.
Unfortunately for screenwriters in the film industry, directors have more creative control over the final cinematic vision. We are now seeing a rise of prominent writer-directors, like Ridley Scott, Quentin Tarantino and Greta Gerwig, demonstrating that some filmmakers are generating their own compelling stories and steering the project from the very beginning.
Often with a short, low-budget film for film festivals, the creative investing the money will have an overall say in the writing process and story. In box office feature films, producers will decide at what stage a director is hired and negotiate how much they will work closely with the screenwriter. So, while early director involvement in development is now more common, the timing still depends on factors like personal working style, studio vs. indie film, and when production funds get locked down. Their creative impact on the film can vary substantially based on when they first came aboard.
At What Point Is a Director Hired?
There are a few common points when a director becomes attached to a film project:
- Development stage – Directors are often brought on early, especially for high-profile projects. They can help shape the script and provide creative direction. Producers may attach a director to the project so they can pitch a package to studios/financiers.
- Pre-production – It’s very common for directors to be hired leading up to the start of pre-production. At this point, the script is typically complete and ready to shoot, so the director can begin planning their vision for it. They start assembling their team, scouting locations, and prepping the production.
- After financing – Many independent films don’t attach a director until production financing is secured. The producer needs to know the budget before deciding on the director. Name-brand directors are often promised based on the financing level.
- Casting – Another common time is during the casting process. The director works closely with casting the lead roles, so they need to be hired prior to major casting. However, sometimes a coveted actor’s involvement can help attract a director.
- Greenlight – At the green light stage when the studio formally decides to move forward on production, a director is essential. The studio wants to ensure the project is creatively on track before giving it the official go-ahead.
- Close to shooting – Sometimes last-minute director changes happen close to shooting due to creative differences. The replacement director has limited prep time but must hit the ground running.
So in summary, directors typically come aboard sometime between development and pre-production, but the exact timing depends on many factors in the project’s timeline. Their early involvement generally allows them to be involved in the writing process and shape the final draft.
Can Screenwriters Choose the Director?
Screenwriters typically have little formal influence over choosing the director for films based on their scripts. The hiring decision is driven by producers, studio executives, and financiers – not writers themselves. This is because directors are usually attached in later stages of development or pre-production after the script is acquired. At this point, writers have limited control unless they take on producer roles. In other words, unless they invest in the film.
In some rare cases, prominent screenwriters may lobby for or recommend directors they want to collaborate with, based on positive creative chemistry from past projects. But even then, the ultimate decision lies with the producer and studio. The only time writers have a definitive say is when they are directing their own scripts. However, writer-directors tend to work on more independent films where they generate material themselves, rather than traditional studio projects based on commissioned scripts. In those models, writers come on board after the director is already attached.
Do Directors Help Write the Scripts?
In Hollywood, the title of “director” generally implies broad creative control and oversight of a film, beyond just technical execution. When a top director like Steven Spielberg is hired, it means entrusting him to thoroughly shape the movie’s vision – including supervising the screenwriting. However, while directors are instrumental in shaping the creative vision and storytelling, they are typically not the primary writers credited for penning the screenplays.
So if directors aren’t sitting alone typing out scripts, what is their role in the writing process? While directors don’t generate the raw screenplays independently, they are involved in refining them to match their directorial style. Directors provide extensive notes on drafts, adjusting everything from dialogue to themes. They may do polishing rewrites themselves or bring on additional writers for revision.
From being a good director for actors to understanding the editing process; a director has to encourage and empower every department to see their final vision. Screenwriting is hard; and most directors who are successful, know how to utilize the writer’s skills to get the highest quality end result.
Essentially, the director takes someone else’s initial script and transforms it into a version suited to how they envision the final film. Through collaboration with the writers, the director shapes the screenplay into one that aligns with their personal passions and creative vision. So while the director doesn’t get the official writing credit, their influence permeates the entire development process and final cinematic product. Their job is to interpret the script into a compelling visual narrative, which requires deep engagement with the screenplay’s details. The result becomes the director’s unique expression, even when working from someone else’s original words.
Do Directors Change the Script?

The director role has evolved to go far beyond camera placement and shouting “action.” Truly great directors are valued for their management capabilities in getting the best work from the cast and crew. Even with a subpar script, a skilled director can employ clever editing and draw strong performances to elevate the final film. On the flip side, a great script most likely will not do well with a subpar director.
Film directors can change the script at any point in pre-production. In fact, directors can hire new writers to make the edits they need for the end story. From the first spec script to getting them onboard, to the final cut; the director works to everyone’s skill set to bring out the best final version.
Is the Screenwriter Involved in the Filmmaking?
This comes down to the choice of the producer, director and financers. If the screenwriter has a close relationship with those who have the final approval, then they may be involved through the production to help with rewrites and vision. However, if they prefer someone else to provide rewrites then the original writer walks away and their screenwriter’s salary can be negotiated.
This is the opposite of the television and entertainment industry. Screenwriters are involved throughout, writing and influencing all seasons and endings.
If you are a screenwriter looking to sell your script and build great relationships with directors and producers, try making a screenwriting portfolio to stand out.
The Final Cut on How Much Directors Participate in Screenwriting
Writing and directing films require distinct skill sets, even if occasionally embodied by an ambitious “writer-director.” Transforming a script into a compelling visual experience demands that the director wear multiple hats. They must motivate the team, respect budgets and timelines, draw authentic performances, and unite all production elements into a cohesive story.
Meanwhile, writing involves the solitary and cerebral task of crafting narrative, character, and dialogue on the page. Skilled writers develop an inner story sense, crafting scripts with the adaptability for a director’s eventual style. The roles remain utterly distinct.
For writers seeking a directing partner, it requires dedication and collaboration. A writer’s raw vision can be moulded into the director’s realized cinematic creation.
Some writers eventually feel compelled to direct their own scripts. Taking both reins requires compartmentalizing the writer’s and director’s mindsets. Preparation and management skills become critical when self-directing. But the reward is full creative autonomy to guide a story from concept to final cut.
Whether partnering with a director or becoming one, writers must continue honing their craft above all else. For film directors, it always begins with a strong blueprint on the page. Compelling films emerge when writers and directors synthesize their respective talents, mediums, and roles.