Screenwriters’ Collectives or the “Making Of” a Profession Companionship and Solidarity in Creative Work

Amid the resurgence of some television formats, writers of TV series form a professional group that has gained exposure but is still looking for recognition in France. This paper examines how ‘collectives,’—informal groups of professional screenwriters—contribute to redefining their members’ practices, identities, and professional relationships. Findings are drawn from an ongoing qualitative study based on interviews with writers involved in these collectives (N=22). We show that the collegial functioning and management of these groups is instrumental in turning them into socially homogeneous venues for discussion and training aids. Collectives help bring together writers and stabilize their professional identity by focusing their collective reflection on their writing skills and ways to combat the individualistic rationales currently prevailing in creative work. Ultimately, collectives support their members in their quest for recognition in the profession and autonomy within the television industry through their labelling effect and contribution to the reversal of power relations with producers and directors.