17: Rewriting
- Page ID
- 395331
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- 17.1: THE ART OF REWRITING- SHAPING, TESTING, AND TRANSFORMING YOUR SCRIPT
- This page discusses writing as an iterative process emphasizing continual revision. Initial drafts are viewed as exploratory, with the revision phase crucial for improving focus, structure, characters, dialogue, and themes. It highlights that rewriting is about discovering the best version of a story by refining it and removing distractions, rather than merely correcting errors.
- 17.2: A Personal Story About Rewriting- Lessons From Working With Wendy Kram
- This page discusses Wendy Kram's influence on the author's writing process, emphasizing the need for emotional truth in comedy over broad humor. Kram believes that deep character motivations lead to memorable stories, and she appreciates the author's dedication to collaboration. She advocates for viewing rewriting as a chance for growth and improvement in storytelling rather than a chore, underscoring the importance of persistence and continuous effort in achieving writing success.
- 17.3: Rewriting Begins With Letting Go
- This page emphasizes that rewriting transcends basic editing, requiring a commitment to enhancing the narrative by reimagining elements, condensing characters, and reassessing the structure. It involves courage to make significant changes, such as removing distractions and dismantling sections, to maintain the story's integrity. The goal is to ensure the final work aligns with the intended message and artistic vision.
- 17.4: Workshopping Your Script- Finding the Right Readers
- This page emphasizes the importance of selecting critical readers for feedback on writing, ideally those who comprehend storytelling. Feedback should focus on key elements like character development and emotional depth, and writers should remain open to constructive criticism, using reader confusion as informative data to enhance their narrative instead of reacting defensively.
- 17.5: The Script Evolves as You Submit It
- This page highlights that a script is never fully finished after the first draft and that each submission to contests or professionals is an opportunity for learning and refinement. Writers should anticipate ongoing revisions, as feedback provides valuable insights that improve the script. A script is truly complete only when it ceases to offer new lessons to its writer.
- 17.6: Structural Problems Often Begin in Act 1
- This page highlights the significance of Act 1 in storytelling, warning that flaws in later acts often arise from a weak foundation. It outlines key elements like the protagonist's desires, obstacles, and tone that shape the narrative. Writers are encouraged to revisit their logline and central beats during rewrites to maintain the story's core. The climax must align with the initial problem established in Act 1, facilitating a complete emotional journey.
- 17.7: How to Approach a Rewrite
- This page provides a practical approach to refining a script, focusing on understanding the story's true message. Key steps include summarizing the story, aligning it with the logline, identifying character emotional journeys, and ensuring each scene serves a purpose. It emphasizes the importance of strong act breaks, antagonist evolution, organic themes, visually-driven dialogue, and timing in the final draft polish.
- 17.8: Embracing the Long Game
- This page emphasizes that writing is a continuous journey marked by improvement and development. Success is rarely attained through initial works; instead, later scripts reflect growth. The emphasis lies on becoming a consistent, high-quality writer rather than seeking perfection from the outset. Rewriting is highlighted as an essential process for enhancing writing skills and fostering this evolution.
- 17.10: SCRIPT REVISION WORKSHEET
- This page offers a worksheet designed for screenplay rewriting, highlighting the significance of enhancing loglines, structure, and character motivations. It leads writers in assessing their protagonist, central issues, and stakes, while identifying strengths and weaknesses in the script. Practical tools for scene-level improvements, along with prompts for feedback integration and revision goal-setting, are included.