Avoid hiring a screenwriter from a freelancer website

Avoid hiring a cheap screenwriter from a freelancer website.

By- Michael McKown

Freelancer websites – and there are many, just Google for: hire a freelancer – you’ll find the usual high-profile websites that connect writers, artists, web designers and much more to clients. I’m sure a lot of the writers offering their services thereupon are honest and highly skilled, but hiring a screenwriter from these freelance services is usually highly restrictive.

Think: Trying to breathe when someone’s gripping you around the neck. That’s not optimal when you’re in need of screenwriting services or script doctoring. Frustrated older man 480w

Most of these websites tightly control communication between the client and the writer. Can you just call up the writer and discuss the project? No. Every communication needs to go through the service, and it must always be in writing. A response could take a day or longer. This is awkward at best and idiotic at worst. Every bit of communication is throttled, slow and difficult. Forget about brainstorming over the phone or via Zoom or Facetime.

Avoid cheap foreign freelance screenwriters

And then there’s the matter of location. Many of the cheapest writers are outside the USA. English for these people is often not their first language, meaning the subtleties of American English and its idioms are lost on such writers. Thus, your script will never survive a read by an agent or producer.

You can save money by hiring a screenwriter from a freelancer website. I mean, they often advertise low rates on these sites. If money is your primary concern, yeah, congratulations, you’ll save bucks. But you may end up tearing your hair out over the problems encountered in dealing with a writer in this manner. Don’t fail before you begin.

If you’re wondering whether what I’m saying is true, hire one to write a 10-page screenplay as a test. Order some changes and see how well they’re implemented and how quickly. Tell the writer you need to speak with him or her directly over some detail, and good luck with that.

I asked xAI’s chatbot, Grok, about the downside to working with a freelancer from these sites, and this is its response:

Grok’s thoughts on freelance screenwriters

Hiring a freelance screenwriter or script doctor from a freelancer website can have several downsides:
  1. Quality Variability: Freelancers on these platforms range from highly skilled to inexperienced. Without thorough vetting, you might hire someone whose work doesn’t meet professional standards or align with your vision.
  2. Lack of Industry Connections: Many freelancers on these sites may not have established networks in the film industry, limiting their ability to provide insights or connections that could elevate your project.
  3. Communication Challenges: Freelancers may be in different time zones or have varying levels of responsiveness, leading to delays or misunderstandings, especially if project goals aren’t clearly defined.
  4. Limited Accountability: Freelance platforms often have dispute resolution systems, but enforcing quality or deadlines can be tricky. Some freelancers may underdeliver or abandon projects, leaving you with incomplete work.
  5. Confidentiality Risks: Sharing sensitive scripts or ideas with freelancers, especially those without a track record, can risk intellectual property theft or leaks, particularly on less regulated platforms.
  6. Hidden Costs: Low bids may seem appealing, but revisions, miscommunications, or hiring additional help to fix subpar work can increase costs. Some freelancers may also charge extra for rush jobs or additional drafts.
  7. Inconsistent Experience: Freelancers may lack experience in your specific genre or format (e.g., feature films vs. TV pilots), leading to scripts that miss industry expectations or require heavy rewrites.
To mitigate these risks, thoroughly review portfolios, check references, and use clear contracts. Platforms like Upwork or Fiverr can be useful but require careful selection to find reliable talent.

The alternative: a screenwriter under contract to my company

When you sign up as a Ghostwriters Central client, you have me in charge. That’s not a brag, it’s just a fact of business. I make sure the job gets done, which relieves you of that task, and all associated concerns. Scroll down to see the gallery of screenwriters and script doctors. These people are the survivors of my screening process. They were selected for their writing skill, integrity and client service attitude, and only then were they offered a contract with my company. You have me to assure a problem-free experience.

If you’d like to become a ghostwriting client, call us anytime or fill out the form on our Contact page. You’ll enjoy a far better experience.