How has the demand for video content changed the landscape of scriptwriting?

The demand for video content has shifted scriptwriting, especially with the rise of short-form content. While long-form storytelling like TV shows and movies still thrives, people now split their attention across multiple platforms, creating both challenges and opportunities for writers.

On Fiverr, I’ve noticed a rise in demand for shorter scripts designed to grab attention quickly, but well-crafted, full-length screenplays still hold their value. Despite the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT, which can aid brainstorming or research, AI-generated scripts often lack the depth and emotional resonance of human-written ones. I’ve often been hired to "fix" AI scripts, which tend to feel inauthentic.

For me, AI is a tool—not a replacement. It helps with inspiration or fact-checking, but true creativity and emotional depth come from the writer. Video content is everywhere, making scriptwriting more dynamic and fast-paced, and it's an exciting time to be in the industry.

The demand for video content has completely flipped the script—literally. Short-form content is everywhere, and people want scripts turned around fast. In my experience, YouTube creators and channel owners are all about standing out with a unique voice or style, not just cranking out bland content for the sake of it. That’s why good writing is more important than ever—it’s the foundation of any great video.

One thing I’ve noticed is the rush to meet trends. With 10-minute videos ruling the game, clients often expect scripts at lightning speed, but rushing can mean losing quality. For me, the challenge is balancing quick turnarounds with creativity—and honestly, it’s made me a sharper writer.

And let’s be real about AI. Sure, it’s popping up everywhere, but a human touch still wins every time. I’ve seen too many clients come to me with AI-generated scripts that need major fixing.  A great script is what separates average videos from ones people actually remember. 

The increasing demand for video content has significantly transformed the landscape of scriptwriting in several key ways:

 

1. Diversification of Platforms and Formats

 

• Traditional Media to Digital Platforms: Scriptwriting is no longer confined to film and television. Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and streaming services have expanded opportunities, requiring scripts for everything from short-form videos to episodic series.

• Short-Form Content: The rise of platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels has led to a demand for concise, engaging scripts that capture attention in seconds. Writers must prioritize brevity and visual storytelling.

• Interactive Media: Scriptwriting has evolved for interactive content, like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and “choose your own adventure”-style narratives.

 

2. Rise of Branded Content and Advertising

 

• Brands are increasingly using video content to connect with audiences, blurring the lines between entertainment and marketing. Scriptwriters are tasked with creating compelling, story-driven ads that don’t feel overly promotional but still convey the brand’s message.

 

3. Globalization and Localization

 

• Video platforms with global reach, like Netflix and YouTube, require scripts that resonate with diverse audiences. Writers must consider cultural nuances and often adapt scripts for multiple languages and regions.

 

4. Data-Driven Storytelling

 

• Streaming platforms and social media provide insights into audience preferences and behavior. Writers are now leveraging analytics to craft scripts that align with what audiences find most engaging, such as trending genres, themes, and formats.

 

5. Demand for Episodic and Serialized Content

 

• Streaming platforms have increased the demand for binge-worthy episodic series. Scriptwriters are focusing more on character development and long-term story arcs to maintain audience engagement over multiple episodes.

 

6. Accessibility and Inclusivity

 

• As audiences grow more diverse, there’s a push for inclusive storytelling. Writers are expected to create scripts that represent a broader range of experiences, cultures, and identities.

 

7. Faster Turnaround Times

 

• The pace of content creation has accelerated, particularly for digital platforms. Writers must adapt to shorter production cycles and be ready to churn out high-quality scripts quickly.

 

8. Collaboration with Emerging Technologies

 

• AI and automated tools are beginning to influence scriptwriting. While AI can’t replace creativity, it’s being used to generate ideas, assist with editing, and analyze scripts for marketability. Writers are increasingly collaborating with tech to enhance their work.

 

9. Interactive and Immersive Experiences

 

• With the growth of gaming and immersive storytelling, scriptwriting now involves crafting dialogue trees, branching narratives, and user-driven storylines.

 

10. Focus on Viral and Shareable Content

 

• In the social media era, scripts often prioritize creating moments that can go viral, like witty dialogue, emotional beats, or visually stunning scenes that encourage sharing and engagement.

 

These changes have made scriptwriting more versatile and dynamic, offering opportunities across traditional and emerging platforms while demanding adaptability and innovation from writers.

The demand for short form content has certainly increased. However, I continue to experience a general desire for quality work and not churned out bland content for content's sake. With youtube video channel content being created and demanded at a high turnover rate, channel producers and owners are looking for a quality level that stands them out from the crowd - a unique style or voice to the writing. Providing this work has earned me return clients.

At the same time, I have found a continued interest in feature and TV show scripts. Clients have great ideas, the demand for content on streaming channels has been consistent, at the least. And in truth, the increased demand for video content has writers like myself producing more work at a faster pace, which, in my experience, has made me a better writer-for-hire for longer form projects. 

I've noticed a change in expectations regarding the length of time it takes for a writer to complete a script. In particular, scripts for clients with channels. With shorter YouTube videos taking the precedent over long-form content on the video sharing site, clients have a shorter timeframe in mind for project turnaround. There's an expectation that scriptwriters should turn out scripts at a quicker rate because the final runtime of the piece is 10 minutes or less. Those scripts are then being produced by the client at a rapid pace to keep up with trends, which are fluctuating at increasingly speedier rates as well. The end result of these rushed scripts and diluted creative processes (from the on-camera talent to the team behind the scenes) is mush.

It can be a pitfall of the scriptwriter seeking to mitigate these expectations to cut corners and sacrifice their own creative process, techniques, or wherewithal to meet the client's potentially unrealistic requests. I'll cut to the chase! The quality of the script can, at times, relate directly to the imposed turnaround time from the client. Not in every case, but in many. So, how has it changed? It's all so rushed! 

Assuming this means the demand for short-form online content, it's clear to me that people still want to watch TV and movies. That will never change. It has mostly shifted the nature of the industry, as there's more demand for people's time, and viewing habits have altered. That has been challenging for a lot of industry professionals, as the streaming boom of recent years has contracted rapidly, along with other challenges like the pandemic and writer's strike. On Fiverr I definitely get asked to write more shorter pieces than a couple of years ago, but there's something magical about having a full screenplay that takes the reader on a journey. 

The bigger challenge is competing with AI, which has really changed things of late. In my experience, ChatGPT and the like cannot compete with a script crafted by a real person, who is pouring their experience, emotions, and heart into it. I get asked to work on a lot of projects through Fiverr which have clearly been generated by AI, and the quality is shockingly poor. You can spot an AI-written script from a mile away. More and more people seem to be trying to use it as a shortcut, and then turning to professionals to clean up the mess or make sense of it.

AI has its place, and - because I don't think we're going to be able to resist it entirely - I use it as a research tool, but it's just one of many along with Google, Wikipedia, dictionaries etc. It can't do everything.

The demand for short form content has really grown. UGC is everywhere and a lot of it is scripted. Animated explainer content is also a staple now in the video landscape. So, it's a balance of writing for very short and concise videos to longer and more developed stories. 

Edited August 27 by Kalei

In general, I feel like the desire for full-length movies and TV shows/streaming series hasn't decreased despite the demand for video content. People still want to make movies and shows. The main difference is that more people also want to experiment with shorter forms of videos, things they can post online, either to get their art out there in a more manageable way, or to earn money. 

There's a big demand for Youtube channel writing, but this has been the case for a few years now. Again, despite this, I believe people still recognize how different film and shows are and want to go through the effort of creating those. I don't believe we'll be seeing the end of that anytime soon.