Thread by @wcmartell

REWRITES THREAD

People frequently ask about rewriting their screenplays and a few days ago while waiting for a plane I tweeted a bunch of stuff - but not in any thread. Unconnected. So I am correcting that now, with this thread.

#scriptsecrets #rewrites

2. The most important thing with any rewrite is distance - to have "fresh eyes" on the screenplay so that you can see the flaws. The *best* way to do this is to alternate drafts. Write Script A, then write Script B, *then* rewrite script A.

#rewrites #scriptsecrets

3) After you rewrite Script A, Write script C, then rewrite Script B. Keep this going. You not only get "fresh eyes" on every screenplay, you end up writing a lot of screenplays! Yes, you will do additional drafts on each script: and you can squeeze those in anywhere.

#rewrites

4) But when you alternate drafts like this you forget what you have written and are able to see to problems - sentences that don't make sense now (because you forgot what they were supposed to mean). Better rewrites.

#rewrites #scriptsecrets

5) REWRITES THEMSELVES: I do a series of rewrites each focusing on a different element beginning with story and structure issues (so no deckchairs on the Titanic). Start with the big things. Focus on one thing at a time.

#rewrites #scriptsecrets

6) It makes no sense to fix a line of dialogue in a scene that I am going to cut or combine with some other scene. So I start with the big stuff. And I am ruthless.

#scriptsecrets #rewrites

7) One of the problems many have is not wanting to trash big chunks of your script. You have to be willing to throw the script away. Favorite scene? Favorite character? Favorite line? GONE if required. #scriptsecrets #rewrites

8) There's a controversy in a writers group about loglines before the first draft. I come up with a logline and post it on a sticky on my laptop screen to stay on course when writing. Great tool for rewriting, too. #rewrites #scriptsecrets

9) The story can go astray, get off spine, lose its way while you are writing it. You are sweating the small stuff and miss that you are now writing some pointless subplot that will end up on the cutting room floor.

#rewrites #scriptsecrets

10) Having a logline can keep you on track. What is the story? Is this scene part of that story? If it is a good scene that is off the spine, can you find a way to get it back on track? Combine it with another scene?

#rewrites #scriptsecrets

11) Combining scenes is a great tool! especially if your screenplay is long. First drafts can have 4 scenes that accomplish different parts of 1 thing. Combine them! Also combining character who serve the same story purpose.
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12) I know writers who print a hard copy and delete their file... and retype every word with each pass. I don't, but I understand. This insures that you rethink the importance of everything. Actually rewriting. #scriptsecrets #rewrites

13) PS: I've done rewrites to strengthen the *concept*. Old version was typical genre, new version is not typical (still genre). Sometimes your script has a bland idea - and you need to make core changes! #scriptsecrets #rewrites

14) One of my ongoing projects is rewriting a bunch of early scripts with weak concepts. Giving them a "high concept injection". This is a page one rewrite. Everything changes! Look at your *concept* in rewrites, too. #scriptsecrets #rewrites

15) That's important: to get into the mindset that anything and maybe everything can change. My Script Tip from a couple of days ago was on "challenge drafts" where you challenge everything. #scriptsecrets #rewrites

16) Here is that Script Tip in case you missed it. WHY is Darth Vader Luke's father? Why not hos Uncle? His mother? His older brother? His mentor? There needs to be a REASON behind every story decision.

scriptsecrets.net/tips/tip339.htm

#rewrites #scriptsecrets

17) Once you have the story and structure working like clockwork, you can focus on other elements. I like to look at plants and pay offs if I haven't already. And how each scene builds emotions. #scriptsecrets #rewrites

18) Look at each scene. What do you want the audience to feel and how is *your writing* in this scene accomplishing that? Our job is to create Emotion Pictures! Is your writing creating tension? Does it pull the reader into the next scene?
#scriptsecrets #rewrites

19) Think of 3 gears: the writer gear, the script gear, the reader/audience gear. You want to use your writing to move (emotionally) the reader/audience gear. That's our job. One pass should focus on that. #scriptsecrets #rewrites

20) Next I do a series of drafts, each focusing only on one character. This is for character consistency in dialogue, actions, attitude, and everything else. If I focus on a single character I won't miss something. #scriptsecrets #rewrites

21) Scenes: I forgot to mention: what is the info in this scene? What is the conflict? What are the stakes? What is the *entertainment value* of this scene? Readers can put the script down at any time - we don't want that! #rewrites #scriptsecrets.

22) Dialogue: Every character has a different vocabulary and speech patterns, and by looking at the script through only one character's eyes we can catch mistakes and strengthen dialogue. How does this character know that? #rewrites #scriptsecrets

23) I usually build the story around theme, so that is on my mind in each step. In the Outline & Thematic Blue Book, I go into how characters and word choice in dialogue can be thematic. You may do a theme draft. Or not. #scriptsecrets #rewriting

24) On assignments I always give myself time to do a quick rewrite on each draft before I turn it in, to fix stuff, add details. Even on crazy deadlines (12 days on a couple of assignments!), I finish with 2 days for rewrites. #scriptsecrets #rewrites

25) I always want the first draft to read as if it could go into production tomorrow. Ready. On the crazy deadlines, those first drafts went out to talent! And they were paying crap. So the script had to wow them! #rewrites #scriptsecrets

26) A tight deadline for the writer means tight deadlines all the way down the line. One of my 2 week wonders signed an Oscar Nominated actress for under her quote. The rewrites elevated her role - and that helped. Great first drafts = rewrites. #scriptsecrets #rewrites

27) Which is something to think about when doing your character passes - why would a movie star want to play this role instead of the other dozen scripts they were offered? #scriptsecrets #rewrites

28) Though he may have been blowing smoke up my butt: On STEEL SHARKS Billy Dee Williams (Lando!) told me that he had 3 scripts offered and chose mine due to the role. I wrote a meaty speech for his character that I hoped was movie star bait. Guess it worked! #rewrites

29) But everything in your screenplay needs to be puling its weight, or get rid of it. Is this role going to attract a star? Is this dialogue going to attract a star? Make it the best it can be... not the best you can do. You have to GROW! #rewrites #scriptsecrets

30) Assignments: Producers will give you 30 pages worth of new stuff and want you to cut 20 pages while you're at it! You have to make that work! #scriptsecrets #rewrites

31) My personal rule on rewriting is that every draft is the same page count. Without cheating. So things get cleaned up and tightened with every set of producer notes. #scriptsecrets #rewrites

32) If the first draft was 105 pages, I try to keep every draft after that at 105 - even if the producer gives me 30 pages of new material to add. Though I'm sure this drives some people crazy, at the end of the day they are making the movie and don't want an epic. #rewrites

33) They are going to schedule it - and even though they had you add 30 pages of new stuff, they want the film to schedule for the same number of weeks and not be some 3 hour monster. #rewrites #scriptsecrets

34) An element of rewrites is thinking in abstract when you already have 110 pages of concrete. #scriptsecrets #rewrites

35) There is often a moment when you hear the notes when steam comes shooting out of your ears like in a cartoon. Take a moment, relax, then try to figure out how to make it work. You are a team player at this point. #rewrites #scriptsecrets

36) It's important to make deadlines. Most of my stuff was for cable networks like HBO or Showtime or USA Network, and the airdate was scheduled before I started writing! If I was late, they'd be showing a test pattern at 9pm Thursday night! #scriptsecrets #rewrites

37) These days theatricals are scheduled, too - we know when every Marvel Phase 4 movie comes out! Deadlines are for a reason - and you need to turn in your drafts on time. Finish early and have 2 days to do a clean up so that you look like a genius! #rewrites #scriptsecrets

38) Even on assignments where there isn't a crew waiting in the wings (yet), make your deadline! Good habits are important. Eventually you will be in production and need to rewrite overnight! #scriptsecrets #rewrites

40) On GRID RUNNERS for HBO, location fell out and I had to do a major rewrite on Act 3 overnight. Because scenes are shot out of order - the whole rewrite needed to be done by morning call. Yikes! Good habits. #rewrites #scriptsecrets

41 (?) Some of you are perfectionists and finish your script by your self imposed deadline and then do rewrites... and continue to tinker with your finished script for the rest of your life! Hey, there comes a time to let go! #rewrites #scriptsecrets

42) Another reason for alternating drafts is to use those "fresh eyes" to see when your script isn't going to get much better - and it is time to send it out into the world so that it can be bought and made and turn into something you hate or don't recognize. #rewrites

43) Sometimes you need to start with the concept and re-outline with what you have got. Don't fight changes to make your script better! But know when to let go! #scriptsecrets #rewrites

44) If you are a perfectionist and finish on schedule and get it rewritten and can't stop tinkering and tinkering and tinkering? If it's all small tinkers - time to send it out into the world! Move on to the next script and the next and the next! #rewrites

45) I'm sure I left all kinds of things out, since this was me waiting for a plane and killing time. But hopefully there's some stuff here that will help you. Good luck and keep writing and rewriting! #rewrites #scriptsecrets