The Keeper of the Story
The writers’ assistant (or WA) is a crucial, high-pressure, entry-level position within a television writers’ room. Their primary responsibility is to be the official scribe of the room. From the moment the writers arrive until they leave, the WA is typing, capturing not just dialogue and plot points, but the entire creative conversation. This includes jokes that were pitched and rejected, alternative story paths that were explored, and the complex character and thematic discussions that inform the episode.
The document they produce, often simply called ‘the notes,’ becomes the definitive record of how the story was ‘broken.’ When a writer is assigned to write the script, these notes are their bible, containing every detail and decision made by the group.
Duties and Career Path
Beyond taking notes, the WA’s responsibilities often include:
- Managing the Whiteboards: Transcribing, organizing, and photographing the intricate webs of plot points, character arcs, and scene structures mapped out on the room’s whiteboards.
- Research: Quickly looking up factual information needed for the story (e.g., legal procedures, historical events, scientific concepts).
- Proofreading: Assisting the script coordinator with proofreading outlines and scripts.
The WA role is widely considered one of the best apprenticeships for an aspiring television writer. It provides an invaluable, paid education in the art of story breaking and the professional etiquette of a writers’ room. A WA who demonstrates reliability, a great attitude, and a strong understanding of story is often given the opportunity to co-write or be assigned a freelance script for the show. This is the traditional first step on the ladder to becoming a staff writer and, eventually, a showrunner.