Everyone has a different process, but since I'm about to start another rewrite, here's mine: 1) I never go backwards during the vomit draft, so if I want to change anything, I have a file called (TITLE) Rewrite Notes. I put everything I want to change in THERE. #screenwriting
2) Once I've finished the vomit draft, I leave it for at least 3 days. Don't read it, don't open it, don't even think about it actively. Be in gratitude that I finished. #screenwriting #Rewrite
3) Print out a copy of the notes. @fadeinsoftware allows you to print out a "notes report" and most other programs do, too. If I'm stuck on a name or a joke or I want to do research, I don't stop. I just put in a note. Then before I dig in, I reread those notes. #screenwriting
@fadeinsoftware 4) Create a Mission Statement. The most important part of this is where I commit to the THEME of the movie and the TONE of the movie. I also list out the things I know I want to change. It's the 30,000 ft view of the task ahead. I keep this handy while I work. #screenwriting
@fadeinsoftware 5) Print out the script (this was today). The point of this is that I can only cut things out and note what I need to do. Yes, if I come up with a line of dialogue, I can scrawl it into the margin. But it's JUST CUT AND NOTES. #screenwriting #rewrite
@fadeinsoftware 6) After this process, I can see THE MOVIE. Not the script. I know what needs to be cut, what is working, what needs to be emphasized, etc. Then I rename the file VOMIT DRAFT, create a NEW DRAFT and bring over only what works from the vomit draft into the new one. #screenwriting
@fadeinsoftware 7) Once that's done, I do a read through with actors. That's where I listen a) to the dialogue and b) to where the energy sags or picks up. At the end of the night, I ask the actors what works & doesn't, especially what doesn't track character-wise. #screenwriting #rewrite
@fadeinsoftware 8) Another pass based on the read through. Then readers. Another pass based on notes. Then my agent. Another pass based on notes. And when he says it's ready, then THAT is my first real draft. #screenwriting #rewrite
