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...

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:

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

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:

Specific improvements:

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