ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

12 years ago - John David Clay

Jamie,

It depends on the state of it after draft 2 I would be tempted to go through at least another depends how long it is 90? 120? you can normal till make things tighter. Could you always pay for a script report from euroscript I done that few times with useful results they are very good courses too!

ask for more feedback it is usually welcome at any stage anyway sounds good work to me,

Best of Luck!

John

12 years ago - Euroscript Screenwriters

Hi Jamie

Excellent question. Of course it depends what you mean by "second draft" - I generally write at least seven drafts for myself before I consider calling a draft "first draft" for outsiders.

I like to give myself time to think about each element, rather than trying to redraft all in one go. And I start with the big picture and work inwards.

So I start with a look at the structure and redraft purely for that (often that will start with a new treatment).

Then I look at the script all the way through from the point of view of each character.

Next I examine each scene in turn to ensure it's working well, and is as short and effective as possible.

Next I redraft purely for dialogue and then I try to take all the dialogue out and redraft for the visuals and non-verbal sound, including locations, and other descriptions.

Almost there: I now almost always have something I've put off doing, either I know should be added or cut, but have chickened out... so in the penultimate draft I grit my teeth and do that thing.

And finally, I look it over for formatting, spelling and typos.

However, I suspect, underlying your question is also: how do you see what needs doing in the first place?

I absolutely agree about getting good feedback. I believe our reports at Euroscript are excellent (thank you John for the testimonial) and I'd also say you should aim for at least two professional appraisals if possible. (In addition, if you're close to London, you can get very good constructive feedback at our Monday evening development workshops).

And equally important, read as many scripts as you can get your hands on. Especially scripts of films and programmes you haven't seen. After all, that's what your own script is.

And time is enormously useful - putting it to one side and coming back fresh can give valuable new perspective on your work.

Very best
Charles

12 years ago - Lucy Hay

"Writing is rewriting" as they say - but luckily there is some great free advice online about this part of the writing process. Here are some of my favourite links on this subject, that may of some help:

From Movie Outline - 3 Angles Of Attack For Rewriting Your Screenplay http://bit.ly/SzkOaE

Rewriting Your Screenplay: The Route To Your Audience by Bluecat's Gordy Hoffman: http://bit.ly/PKBz3g

Rewriting Advice from JEFME's Julie Gray: http://bit.ly/U6qS10

From iO9: 20 Essential Tips For Rewriting Your Screenplay http://bit.ly/QKszya

Best of luck! Regards, Lucy V

12 years ago - Dan Selakovich

Here's something that happens in editing rooms all over the world, every day: you know the film so well, that you may take out information that is absolutely needed. Re-writing has the same problem. Whenever you decide to cut something, make damn sure you don't need it. The audience is seeing/reading it for the very first time. Make sure that any changes you do are not based on assumption or earlier drafts. Everything must make sense for this version. Have any of your characters changed? You may have decided on a different personality, habit, or some character trait from one draft to another. Make sure there's no residue from an earlier draft screwing up a character in the current draft.

And btw, your dialogue can be better. How do I know that? Dialogue can ALWAYS be better.

congrats! You've mastered "screenplays aren't written, they're rewritten." Good on you!

12 years ago - Bill Hartin

Jamie - Congrats for finishing Draft 1 and going thru Draft 2 - I know the roller coaster emotions that can accompany that accomplishment, as well as the confounding question of just whether it's any good or not; kind of a love/hate thing. Anyway...

I am a ScreenwritingU Pro Series Alumni, (screenwritingu.com) which includes an intensive and exhaustive rewrite class, which I highly recommend. But first I would check out when SU's next FREE rewriting teleconference is scheduled and listen in on that. It will give you a step-by-step outline/printout that was very helpful when I hit the rewrite wall with my feature-length script. It is one of a growing number of resources for rewriting but it is laid out in a way that was easy to follow and understand, with specific touch points to go through. Good luck.
Bill