The first draft of your screenplay is done! Congratulations! Now comes the hard part: rewriting it. The second draft is where you take your initial idea and start shaping it into a polished, professional screenplay. It's a chance to refine your story, develop your characters, and tighten your writing.
1. Get Feedback
Before you start rewriting, it's important to get feedback from trusted readers. These could be fellow writers, friends, family members, or even professional script readers. Ask them to focus on the following:
- Overall story: Is the story compelling and engaging? Does it have a clear beginning, middle, and end?
- Characters: Are the characters well-developed and believable? Do they have clear motivations and goals?
- Dialogue: Is the dialogue natural and engaging? Does it move the story forward?
- Pacing: Does the story move at a good pace? Are there any scenes that drag or feel unnecessary?
- Technical aspects: Are there any formatting errors or inconsistencies?
2. Take a Break
Once you've received feedback, it's important to take a break from your screenplay. Give yourself a few days or even weeks to clear your head. This will help you come back to your screenplay with fresh eyes.
3. Revise Your Story
Now it's time to start revising your screenplay. Focus on the following areas:
- Plot: Are there any plot holes or inconsistencies? Does the story make sense? Do you need to add or remove any scenes?
- Characters: Are the characters fully developed? Do their motivations and goals make sense? Do you need to add or remove any characters?
- Dialogue: Is the dialogue natural and engaging? Does it move the story forward? Do you need to rewrite or cut any dialogue?
- Pacing: Does the story move at a good pace? Are there any scenes that drag or feel unnecessary?
- Themes: Are the themes of your story clear and well-developed?
- Ending: Is the ending satisfying and conclusive?
4. Refine Your Writing
Now that you've revised your story, it's time to focus on refining your writing. This means making sure your screenplay is clear, concise, and engaging. Here are some tips:
- Cut unnecessary words and phrases.
- Use strong verbs and active voice.
- Show, don't tell.
- Use vivid imagery and descriptions.
- Make sure your screenplay is properly formatted.
5. Read Your Screenplay Out Loud
Finally, it's time to read your screenplay out loud. This will help you catch any errors in grammar, punctuation, and pacing. It will also give you a better sense of how the dialogue sounds.
Conclusion
The second draft is a crucial stage in the screenwriting process. It's an opportunity to refine your story, develop your characters, and tighten your writing. By following these steps, you can create a polished and professional screenplay that is ready for your next step.