Thread by @sugarjonze

A key part of #TVwriting that isn’t often taught AFAIK is the #ProductionRewrite: revs required by budget, schedule, unforeseen circumstances etc. So here are some exercises to try with a completed script. For added realism give yourself a time limit, such as a day. Or 2 hrs😳
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Your episode is over budget on cast. You can keep your main characters, but reduce your script’s secondary characters by at least 50%. (tip: Who can you cut or combine? Can you give dialogue to existing characters?) #ProductionRewrite #TVwriting
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In prep, the director found a new location everyone loves, including you. Pick a location in your script where at least three scenes take place and rewrite those scenes for a completely different location. #ProductionRewrite #TVwriting
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Your lead actor has a family emergency and isn’t available for this episode. At all. Rewrite your script without them BUT you can’t change the story or add new cast. (tip: Can another character step up to carry the story?) #ProductionRewrite #TVwriting
4/

Yikes! The network suddenly has decided they hate your B-story and shooting starts tomorrow. Write a new B-story without changing any of its locations or cast or your A-story. #ProductionRewrite #TVwriting
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Your director isn’t making their day (finishing all scheduled scenes) and there’s no time or budget for pickups. Cut three pages from your script. Oh, and it has to be from the second half of the script because the 1st half has already been shot. #ProductionRewrite #TVwriting
6/

It’s raining cats and dogs. Pick your script’s most important exterior location, or one used for several scenes, and rewrite it to be indoors. #ProductionRewrite #TVwriting
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Due to how the schedule worked out, half your day scenes need to be night and half your night scenes need to be day. Make it so in your script, and not just slug lines. Look at content and location. (tip: You may need to restructure the episode.) #ProductionRewrite #TVwriting
8/

More budget headaches. You can keep your script’s B-story BUT you have to rewrite it to take place in one location. #ProductionRewrite #TVwriting
9/

Cool! The network is willing to spring for a big guest star in this episode. But they need a bit more in your script to entice said star… Without changing page count, add two juicy scenes for a key (but not lead) character. #ProductionRewrite #TVwriting
10/

Ack! The actor playing one of your main characters has an injury. They’ll be okay but can’t stand, walk, or run for this episode. Rewrite all their scenes so they are seated or lying down. #ProductionRewrite #TVwriting
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You’re out of money for the episode (notice a theme here?). Find the most expensive element of your script – e.g. action set piece, elaborate visual FX scene, anything with kids, animals, or water – and rewrite your script to get rid of it. #ProductionRewrite #TVwriting
12/

Surprise! Your network is changing their episode format (maybe to sell more commercials…?🙃) and your episode’s already in prep. Rewrite your script to include one more act break than it currently has. #ProductionRewrite #TVwriting
13/

You’re about to shoot the most important scene of your script. The actors love the scene but their dialogue, not so much. Change all of the dialogue but not the story. Extra credit: do it in 30 minutes because the crew’s almost ready to shoot. #ProductionRewrite #TVWriting
14/

It’s hard to rip into a script that you’ve sweated to get perfect, but just like no battle plan survives contact with the enemy, no script survives contact with reality. The bright side: if you’re doing a #ProductionRewrite, they’re shooting your script! #TVwriting
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