"Change Perspective on Redrafting: Revise Your Views on Restatements"
In the world of screenwriting, the journey from draft to finished script is rarely a smooth one. Hal Croasmun of ScreenwritingU sheds light on this, stating that most scripts are turned down due to structural issues, plot holes, character problems, dull scenes, and missing subtext. But fear not, for rewriting is a practical part of the process when working with producers.
Rewriting allows for fulfilling the vision, bettering the work, and fighting for what one loves, as Doug Richardson, screenwriter of Die Harder, Bad Boys, and Mooseport, emphasizes. In fact, finding a major problem in a script is a cause for celebration, according to Croasmun, as it means the script will be 100% better when a producer sees it and will have a better chance of being sold.
The mindset recommended by professionals for undertaking script rewrites emphasizes agility, iteration, and openness to feedback while minimizing ego attachment to any single draft. John August, screenwriter of Big Fish, Corpse Bride, and Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, distinguishes between rewriting and polishing. August states that rewriting means ripping apart scenes and sequences and rebuilding them piece-by-piece, while polishing is finding ways to make the writing subtly better.
As the writer navigates different iterations of a feature, significant character, structure, and plot changes can lead to a stronger and clearer core of the story, according to the writer. Soth, screenwriter of Firestorm, and author of Million Dollar Screenwriting: The Mini Movie Method, advises treating the outline, first draft, and subsequent drafts the same way, as if hacking away at a block of marble to create Michelangelo's David.
Chris Soth was consulted for advice about the rewrite, and he advised the writer to approach the rewrite as if nothing has been written so far and to be willing to throw away everything to find the best possible version of the idea. Carson Reeves of the website Shadow advises new screenwriters not to show their script to anyone unless they've done at least ten drafts, with each draft being better than the previous one.
However, the writer is currently facing resistance to significant structural changes in the script. Writers who are willing to look beneath the surface and do the work to solve problems gain tremendous respect from producers, according to Croasmun. The writer must remain open to feedback and be prepared to make the necessary changes to create the best possible script.
In summary, professional screenwriters recommend adopting a flexible, iterative, and feedback-embracing mindset, combined with disciplined writing habits that encourage forward progress and openness to change during script rewrites. By following this advice, writers can navigate the often challenging process of script rewriting and produce a polished, compelling script that stands a better chance of being sold.
- Hal Croasmun from ScreenwritingU explains that the majority of scripts are rejected due to structural issues, plot holes, character problems, dull scenes, and missing subtext in their initial drafts.
- Rewriting a script is essential for fulfilling the writer's vision, improving the work, and fighting for what one loves, as Doug Richardson, screenwriter of Die Harder, Bad Boys, and Mooseport, emphasizes.
- According to John August, screenwriter of Big Fish, Corpse Bride, and Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, rewriting means tearing apart scenes and sequences and rebuilding them piece-by-piece, while polishing is finding ways to make the writing subtly better.
- Soth, screenwriter of Firestorm, advises treating the outline, first draft, and subsequent drafts the same way, as if hacking away at a block of marble to create Michelangelo's David during the script rewrite process.
- Carson Reeves of the website Shadow advises new screenwriters not to show their script to anyone unless they've done at least ten drafts, with each draft being better than the previous one.
- The writer is currently facing resistance to significant structural changes in the script, but those who are willing to solve problems usually gain tremendous respect from producers, according to Croasmun.
- By adopting a flexible, iterative, and feedback-embracing mindset, combined with disciplined writing habits that encourage forward progress and openness to change, writers can navigate the challenging process of script rewriting and produce a polished, compelling script that stands a better chance of being sold.
- In a home-and-garden lifestyle, along with the hustle and bustle of screenwriting, writers must remain open to feedback and be prepared to make necessary changes, just as a skilled gardener would in tending to their plants to bring forth the best possible blooms.
