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:
- Structural holes - Fix missing story beats
- F scenes - Cut or completely reimagine
- D scenes - Combine, cut, or reinvent
- C scenes - Strengthen or combine
- B scenes - Polish and tighten
- 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