I’m not sure how the rest of you do it. I have a Pitch a Producer meeting with Corey Moosa, and I need to send him my script today.
I’ve been working on this script for over a year. I keep going back to make small changes, tighten scenes, and clean up the dialogue. Now I’ve convinced myself that it needs multiple “surgical passes.” I’m currently on my fourth pass. I’m not changing the plot or anything major—I just keep finding little things I want to rewrite.
I want it to be as close to perfect as possible for the producer. I don’t want him to feel like I’m wasting his time by sending something that isn’t ready.
How do you stop yourself from rewriting a script over and over? At what point do you finally decide it’s finished, let it go, and hit send?
I would also love to hear a producer’s point of view. What tells you that a script is ready—and which small imperfections actually matter when you’re reading one?
Because right now, my writer OCD is winning.
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Hi Juli, I think we can all relate to your predicament.
Here are a few thoughts:
1) When you're going through the motions, call it done:Most of the time, I wait until the very last minute to hit send. But typically, I get to a point where I know my creative brain has turned off and I am just scanning the page for easy fixes. When I'm no longer improving the craft and just feel myself going through the motions I know it's time to pull the plug and hit send.
2) Get a second pair of eyes:
This is where having a trusted reader is helpful (a peer writer, a family member or a manager). They can offer an objective (not that feedback is ever truly objective) and tell you if it passes or needs a few tweaks and what those tweaks are.
3) Use Text-to-Speech:
This works like a second reader. Subscribe to WriterDuet Premium either yearly or just for the month you need the Premium features. And use the ReadAloud tool. This is hands down the best text-to-speech tool I've found for scripts, and it lets you export the audio as an mp3 so you can listen to it anywhere. When you hear, especially a digital voice reading your script, typos stand out more (where humans might autocorrect as they read, haha).
4) Read your script out loud:
Just change how you're reading your script. Read it out loud. Print it off. A change is as good as a rest, and the alternate format will cue different parts of your brain.
5) Daydream/Visualize your script:
The most important thing is to do your words translate to screen. You may have zero typos, but does your script work as a film? That's the key. Picture your script. Act it out. Physically. Use props (get some Barbies or Legomen and play out your script). This will get your imagination and creativity back in gear.
6) It's never going to be "done", smile and embrace that:
A script is never done until the movie is in theatres, and even then the writer turns it into a book. So, learn to smile and enjoy the opportunity to re-engage with your setting and characters every time you revise.
I hope that helps, and all the best with your submission!
I break down my process to account for something like this "Writer OCD." When writing a scene, often 1 or 2 a day, I then go back the next day and do a pass of those scenes before writing the next 1 or 2.
When the draft is done, I do a pass of the draft tighten, tweak the whole and then... the hard part...
I let it sit. I distract myself with another script, outline, etc... and some weeks later, back to the previous for a read. This has worked reasonably well for me. Ultimately, a smooth writing process is the writer's own.
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Having structure to your writing process typically helps firm what you're trying to say so you can have more confidence in where you're at. My structure is this:
1. Outline phrase (broad story, conversations i want to have, character arcs, everything beated out). It's not perfect but i have firm broad strokes, with moments for themes, motifs, and symbols set in specific ranges based on normie 3-act structure. in the outline i also try to define my intros/setup, inciting incident, my break into 2, the fun & games section, the midpoint, the rising action, conflicts on the way, climax and resolution. with that i have a good idea of where i'll take this.
2. Rough 1st draft. It's rough and it misses the mark alot. Once finished, i give myself a break after and revisit in a week or two
3. Polished draft. I come back to the project and polish the initial writing. don't try to change too much unless it's obvious that i zagged when i should have zigged. Then i take this draft out for feedback and get feedback from a handful of sources.
4. With those notes in hand, i write a 2nd draft and polish as i go, adding things here and there and everywhere. Clarifying where it needs clarification based on notes i've received and getting it to a good place. I call this Good Place draft.
5. Then i just keep that draft on hand, submit to relevant opportunities, and when someone bites, i dive in and do another pass before sending it off. But if you've done the work in the outline phase and gotten good notes to help fill holes, then usually this is only cosmetic stuff, minor fixes here, dialogue edits.
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I think there comes a point where you have to trust the story and let it go. If the plot, characters, pacing, and dialogue are working, endless small changes can sometimes do more harm than good. You’ve already put in four passes, so it may be time to hit send and let the producer experience the script as a whole. Good luck with your meeting!