How do you adapt your scriptwriting style for different formats, such as film, television, or online media?

Writing for social media content requires a different approach compared to film or television. Social media is fast-paced, and attention spans are shorter, so the content needs to be concise and impactful from the start. Whether it’s a quick TikTok video, a 15-second Instagram story, or a longer YouTube explainer, the key is to capture the audience’s attention within the first few seconds and keep it engaging throughout.

I approach social media content by focusing on the core message—whether it’s entertainment, inspiration, or education—and tailoring the tone and format to the platform. For example, on TikTok, the content is often punchy and humorous, while on YouTube, there may be more room for a slightly longer, detailed narrative. It’s about adapting to the brief, understanding what resonates with the audience, and delivering content that serves its purpose effectively, all while maintaining a clear, engaging voice.

Writing for film is a very different beast to writing for TV - there's far less room for exploration, and serving the structure is vital. You're always building towards those key moments - the act turns, the midpoint etc. That said, they're more similar than most people think when it comes down to the scenes, dialogue and characters. TV can allow you to be more experimental, but it's also about not allowing that to spill over into self-indulgence. In terms of online media, that's a very broad umbrella - and can mean anything from 10-minute short films on YouTube to 30-second TikToks to explainer videos of a couple of minutes. I've written pretty much everything, and for me it's just about writing to the brief.

If it's a three-minute comedy sketch there's obviously not going to be room - or budget - for a car chase and a fist-fight on top of the Empire State Building. As with everything though, it's simply to ask; what's the point this is trying to convey? Do you want the audience to be inspired? To laugh? To be thrilled? Learn something? 

The market is changing at a rapid pace, and keeping the attention of audiences is more challenging than ever. That’s why it’s important to be aware of trends, not to follow them, but to anticipate and even subvert expectations around them. There does exist a level of synergy between bourgeoning mediums, like short form online content and traditional models like TV/feature films. Personally, I have reduced the length of my feature and tv scripts to accommodate for the new (shorter) attention span. Moreover, the language I use in my scripts is more akin to a conversational style you’d see in online content. I still maintain proper formatting and industry standards, but I’m willing to bend the rules to keep an audience engaged. 

Formatting and structure differ from medium to medium. Online media in particular can be many things, everything from very short "Tik Tok" style videos to online shows very much like regular television shows, so that can really depend. 

You need to follow medium-specific guidelines and know exactly what you're working on. Even within TV shows the guidelines change depending on if it's a single-camera show, sitcom, mockumentary, live studio audience show, etc. 

Knowing your medium, your audience, and particular goals as a scriptwriter is the most important thing.

This is an odd question as I am not really sure what is meant by "online media," nor do I believe that a screenwriter's "style" changes depending on the medium within which they are writing. 

Technically speaking, there are differences in writing FORMAT and STRUCTURE between Film and Television. Film typically adheres to a 3-Act structure that builds upon the previous act through a series of "beats" or "plot points," whereas a Television Episode or Pilot is often written in a 4 or 5-Act Structure which opens with a TEASER and ends with a TAG. Also, episodic writing varies as it often builds dramatically upon previous episodes yet still maintains its own dramatic narrative and structure within each episode. 

And this is all VASTLY different that a screenwriter's individual "stlye" which will be evident -- Tarantino will alway sound like Tarantino and Neil Simon will always sound like Neil Simon -- regardless of the mediums within which they write.