Rewriting Methodology

Rewriting Methodology Skill

Invocation Triggers

Apply this skill when:

• Beginning the rewrite process
• Identifying weak scenes
• Improving overall script quality
• Preparing for final polish

The WTFB Rewriting Philosophy

Rewriting is where screenplays are truly made. The first draft gets the story down; rewrites make it work.

The Industrious Attitude

Approach rewriting with an industrious attitude. Don't be precious about your first draft. Be willing to cut, change, and improve ruthlessly.

The 6-Step Rewriting Process

Step 1: Identify the Stories

Ask "What are the stories?" - List sentences starting with "The story of..."

THE STORY OF...
1. ___________________________________
2. ___________________________________
3. ___________________________________
4. ___________________________________
5. ___________________________________

Each story thread needs a complete arc. If you can't articulate it simply, it may be unclear in the script.

Step 2: Chart the Arcs

Create a chart tracking each story thread across the acts:

| Story Thread | Beginning | Act One | Act Two | Act Three | Finish |
|--------------|-----------|---------|---------|-----------|--------|
| Main Plot | | | | | |
| B-Story | | | | | |
| Character Arc | | | | | |
| Subplot 1 | | | | | |
| Subplot 2 | | | | | |

Step 3: Find the HOLES

Look at your chart. Identify:

• Missing story beats (empty cells)
• Threads that disappear
• Arcs that don't complete
• Inconsistencies between threads

## HOLES IDENTIFIED
1. ___________________________________
   Location: ___________
   Solution: ___________

2. ___________________________________
   Location: ___________
   Solution: ___________

3. ___________________________________
   Location: ___________
   Solution: ___________

Step 4: Grade Your Scenes

Go through every scene and grade it: A, B, C, D, F

## SCENE GRADING

| Scene # | Location | Grade | Notes |
|---------|----------|-------|-------|
| 1 | | | |
| 2 | | | |
| 3 | | | |
| ... | | | |

Grading Criteria:

• A: Essential, well-executed, couldn't be better
• B: Good, serves story, minor improvements possible
• C: Adequate, but needs work
• D: Weak, may not be necessary
• F: Fails to serve the story, cut or completely rewrite

Step 5: Elevate to Your Best

Make every scene as good as your best scene.

This is the core principle. Find your best scene (the A+ scene). Analyze why it works. Apply those qualities to every other scene.

For each scene below an A:

Scene #___: Current Grade: ___

What my best scene has that this lacks:
1. ___________________________________
2. ___________________________________
3. ___________________________________

Specific improvements:
1. ___________________________________
2. ___________________________________
3. ___________________________________

Step 6: Compression

Compression is artful - shorten everything.

• Enter scenes later
• Exit scenes earlier
• Cut dialogue to its essence
• Remove redundant action lines
• Combine characters where possible
• Eliminate scenes that don't advance plot or character

## COMPRESSION TARGETS

Scenes to cut entirely:
- Scene ___: Reason: _______________
- Scene ___: Reason: _______________

Scenes to shorten:
- Scene ___: Remove: _______________
- Scene ___: Remove: _______________

Dialogue to trim:
- Page ___: Cut: _______________
- Page ___: Cut: _______________

Scene Grading Rubric

A Scene Criteria

• Essential to plot or character arc
• Conflict is active and immediate
• Characters want something
• Scene has a turning point
• Dialogue is subtext-rich
• Visual storytelling is strong
• Enters late, exits early
• Advances story significantly

B Scene Criteria

• Necessary for story understanding
• Has conflict or tension
• Characters are active
• Could be slightly tightened
• Serves a clear purpose

C Scene Criteria

• Purpose is unclear
• Conflict is weak or absent
• Could be combined with another scene
• Exposition-heavy
• Doesn't quite work

D Scene Criteria

• Questionable necessity
• Little to no conflict
• Characters are passive
• Mostly setup with no payoff
• Drags the pace

F Scene Criteria

• No clear purpose
• No conflict
• Could be cut without losing anything
• Redundant to other scenes
• Actively hurts the story

Rewrite Priorities

After grading, address in this order:

1. Structural holes - Fix missing story beats
2. F scenes - Cut or completely reimagine
3. D scenes - Combine, cut, or reinvent
4. C scenes - Strengthen or combine
5. B scenes - Polish and tighten
6. A scenes - Minor polish only

Compression Techniques

Dialogue Compression

• Cut greetings/small talk
• Remove "on the nose" dialogue
• Start mid-conversation
• End before conversation ends
• Let subtext carry meaning

Scene Compression

• Start with conflict already happening
• Cut reaction beats (audience provides them)
• Remove transitions
• Combine locations
• Time jump when possible

Character Compression

• Combine similar function characters
• Remove characters who don't drive plot
• Give one character another's key moments

Validation Checklist

• Listed all story threads
• Charted arcs across acts
• Identified all holes
• Graded every scene
• Identified best scene qualities
• Applied best scene qualities throughout
• Compressed dialogue and scenes
• Cut or fixed F and D scenes
• Script is tighter than previous draft