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