So you just finished your latest masterpiece. Now what? As good old Earnest Hemingway said, "The first draft of anything is shit." But how shitty is your first draft, and how many rewrites are sufficient enough to turn your screenplay from a manure pile to a bar of gold?
Last week, I took an online screenwriting quiz that threw out the number 15 for the amount of rewrites one should be doing on their screenplay. But what makes 15 rewrites any better than 10? What is your magic rewrite number?
I know what I think.
What do you think?
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Such a good question, Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique! I'm sure some of that depends on just how "shitty" the first version is, or how much the story changes in later drafts. Sometimes stories change dramatically in later drafts so more drafts might be needed to restructure, work out any holes in the story, etc. I don't think there is a magic number, but it is probably best to assume it will take a lot of rewrites so you don't get stuck thinking your story can't get better because you spent so much time already. I am sure it can always get better. I'm more curious about the different methods people take to tackle doing their rewrites? Basically, what processes works for you to break your story apart in order to find holes in the story, question character motivation, determine dialogue that works or not, etc? Do you completely break apart your first draft? Do you go back to outlines? Do you let anyone read your first draft before you attempt a second? :-) What different rewrite techniques does everyone else like to use?
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Hand off your script to people not in the business. Allow them to read it, offer their own take on the script. allow them to make notes and offer suggestions. Those who are not in your world are those who purchase the tickets to view your movie, show, play,etc. Based on the type of script hand it out to various age groups and if children can read it, let them give you their unbiased opinion(s), they are the most honest and direct.
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most of us are writing spec scripts. There are no expectations or deadlines.
I don't know if Hemingway was writing "spec novels" all his career. I would guess he was paid in advance to write novels and screenplays.
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MaxXxy:
Though Hemingway has many novels and short stories that were adapted for the screen, I couldn't find any screenplays to his credit. If I'm incorrect, someone please let me know.
Butterly:
Thanks. My process includes writing a polished first draft and having a few people I trust read it. However, I've rewritten several of my screenplays many times and Danny's correct, until someone is interested in optioning it or shopping it, I don't really worry too much about doing multiple rewrites. Last year, I wrote 3 drafts of a screenplay for Director Sean Hoessli (Palm Swings) and he optioned and is shopping the project.
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Hemingway once rewrote an opening chapter 120 times till publisher stole it and put it to print. Don’t know if you is a good poster boy.
But I write until it does what I want it to do. Then it is all polishing.
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A record producer and band manager here in Ann Arbor told me, "A record is never done. At some point, you just decide to stop working on it."
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I used to do a lot of rewrites but now I do maybe three or four at the most.
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I don't have a ton of scripts under my belt just yet, but with the one I've finished, I've revised the first draft and went on to writing my second. From where I'm at currently after that first revise, I'd say I'll go over it about 1 more time to refine it to where I want it, so guess that makes 3, but then I intend to send it out and get some reads and feedback, so that number may increase based on the end result of said feedback
Brian Shell .... I feel that exact same way about editing. haha!