Rename Your Narrative: Revise Your Perspective on Retellings

In the world of screenwriting, rewriting is a crucial part of the process, according to a host of industry professionals. Doug Richardson, screenwriter of films like "Die Harder" and "Bad Boys," asserts that while rewriting can be painful, it can also lead to a better product.

Hal Croasmun, from ScreenwritingU, advises writers to celebrate finding major problems in their scripts. He believes that such discoveries mean the script will be significantly improved when a producer sees it. Croasmun also suggests giving yourself the freedom to make the script the best it can possibly be, even if it means letting go of specific lines, scenes, or words.

Chris Soth, screenwriter of Firestorm and author of Million Dollar Screenwriting: The Mini Movie Method, encourages writers to treat their script as a block of marble, hacking away at it to create the best possible version of the idea.

Carson Reeves, of Shadow, advises new screenwriters not to show their script to anyone unless they have done at least ten drafts. He also states that every draft should be better than the previous one.

As writers navigate different iterations of their scripts, they may find that despite significant changes, the core of their story is coming through more strongly and clearly. John August, screenwriter of Big Fish, Corpse Bride, and Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, distinguishes between rewriting and polishing, stating that rewriting means ripping apart scenes and sequences and rebuilding them piece-by-piece.

Doug Richardson emphasizes the importance of loving rewriting as a screenwriter. He views it as a practical part of the process when working with producers, as it involves fulfilling the vision, bettering the work, and fighting for what you love.

Professional screenwriters advise approaching script rewrites with flexibility, resilience, and a mindset of relentless editing. They emphasize the importance of being open to feedback, adapting the story as needed, and maintaining discipline and humility throughout the rewriting process.

Key mindset advice includes: - Expect rewriting to be the most challenging part of writing, requiring preparedness to adjust the story based on new insights or external circumstances. - Develop persistence and grit, understanding that success often involves many rewrites over a long period. - Embrace rewriting as essential for refining story, structure, and character, rather than seeing initial drafts as fixed or perfect. - Cultivate a professional mindset that includes daily writing habits, love for the craft, and networking to push through procrastination and intimidation. - Be collaborative and open to rapid feedback, since adapting the script in response to others’ input is a norm in professional screenwriting.

Thus, the professional mindset centers on embracing rewriting as a disciplined, flexible, and iterative process crucial for turning an initial script idea into a polished, producible screenplay.

In the world of screenwriting, rewriting is a fundamental aspect emphasized by numerous industry professionals.
Doug Richardson, screenwriter of movies like "Die Harder" and "Bad Boys," insists that while rewriting can be arduous, it can lead to a more superior product.
Hal Croasmun from ScreenwritingU advises writers to celebrate discovering major problems in their scripts, as such findings indicate the script will be significantly improved when a producer views it.
Chris Soth, screenwriter of Firestorm and author of Million Dollar Screenwriting: The Mini Movie Method, encourages writers to treat their script like a block of marble, chiseling away to create the best possible version of the idea.
Carson Reeves, of Shadow, advises new screenwriters to only show their script to others after completing at least ten drafts, preferably with each draft being superior to the previous one.
John August, screenwriter of Big Fish, Corpse Bride, and Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, differentiates between rewriting and polishing, stating that rewriting involves tearing apart scenes and sequences and rebuilding them piece by piece.
Professional screenwriters suggest approaching script rewrites with adaptability, resilience, and the mindset of relentless editing, emphasizing openness to feedback, flexibility, and humility.
Successful screenwriters adopt a professional lifestyle, incorporating daily writing habits, love for the craft, and networking into their lives to overcome procrastination and self-doubt, ultimately turning their initial script idea into a polished, producible screenplay.