The Re-Write Factor

Although I’ve written many screenplays so far (6 I think), the key element to screenwriting is re-writing what you have written until you cannot possibly make it any better. The problem is, once you put what you have written aside for awhile, the urge to go back and tinker with it raises its ugly head. This is not a bad thing. Fresh eyes and a new perspective are great. It also means that once you have written a screenplay and say that it is complete – it is never complete.

The first screenplay I ever wrote took 10 drafts and over a year to finish. Even now (6 years later) I still open it up, read through it and make changes to it. I do that with all of the ones I have “completed”. The screenplays that I have listed as “completed” are the ones where I have gone through and made major structural changes until I am happy with the results. They then get put in the “completed” category. Usually one of two things happen: an independent third party reads it and makes suggestions; or I put it aside, a period of time passes and I think of new things to add or change.

Re-writing is the most important part of screenwriting. It is also the most time consuming and annoying part of the creative process. You’ve just written a screenplay and you think that it is a great accomplishment – it is, however you know that you’re not done. The framework of your story is there, the key elements are in place, but there are holes that need to be filled, beams that need to be replaced and a final coat of paint to make it look good. Even after all the decorating has been done and you put it away for a time, it more often than not will need a new coat of paint or even a room demolished or a room added.

Putting your screenplay aside and working on something else or even not thinking about it completely for awhile will often lead to new ideas – better ideas. You’ll continue to re-write your screenplay as long as it’s in your possession – no matter how small the change. This is a good thing. I’ve learned to embrace this challenge because ultimately you’re making your screenplay even better than that last final draft you did that you swore was the last one. It wasn’t.