I wasn't sure where to put this thread but I would hope whoever reads it ends up learning something new so ideally, I think it should go here.

Anyway, I think it's a writer's instinct to always be thinking of new ideas. Some writers have it so bad, they never finish anything. Needless to say, for more experienced writers, older scripts end up collecting dust. I think it's generally against a writer's instinct to backtrack. Long story short, there are many benefits to be found in doing so.

I've recently completed a rewrite on a script I haven't touched for two years and I have to say it was a very refreshing experience. The weird thing is that, hopefully having learned so much within two years, the old script seemed completely sloppy. Some writers wait two weeks after finishing a script to revise it because they notice the things that need changing spot on. After two years, you notice everything that needs to be changed. It's been so long since I read this script that it felt like someone else's and in a weird way, like something completely new. Now it's a hundred times better than it was when I first wrote it.

Long story short, don't be afraid to fall back on old scripts. Every writer has dryspells and rewriting older works is a great way to get out of them. You're able to improve your writing and feel like you're working with new material at the same time. It's also a good thing to do if you're working on new stuff. Sometimes, after planning so much for a new script, you feel burnt out before you even write a page. Rewriting an old script might help preparing one for new blood. Really, there's plenty to be gained from doing this.

Just thought I'd share this with the group for the sake of interesting discussion and hopefully, turning on some people to a new side of writing entirely.

Any thoughts?

It's funny that you brought this up because I'm in the exact same boat right now.  Instead of writing something new, I decided to open up one of my older scripts, Scorsese Club, and as you said, in the years that have gone by since I first wrote it I've learned so much and I'm thinking...this script could be so much better.

So I've been going through it, pulling it apart, gathering ideas and concepts to use for, at least what I think, is gonna be a much different screenplay altogether.  The premise is still the same, but I'm changing around subplots, motives, building more character development, and am renaming it a title to be decided later.  I've been working on it since May and I'm really happy with the progress that I've made.

It's been a long time since I've touched it to make a major revision but with all of the years that have gone by, it's easy to see everything that's wrong with it.  Sometimes the best new idea is to go back to an old one.  Very refreshing, as you said.

Good topic

Yup, well worth a discussion.  In fact, I addressed this on my blog last year...

http://theworkingscreenwriter.blogspot.com/2007/02/diggin-out-those-old-scripts.html

I've just decided to do this too.  I've a good idea, or so I think, for a feature and have been working on a treatment but I decide to go back to my old feature and do a rewrite.  I spent over a year on it but wasn't happy with it.  I decide to use it as a learning script and posted it anyway, now i've thought of a lot of ways to improve it and in the end it will be completely different.  Do you think though people will be interested in a script that's been up a while and says rewrite?  Sometimes I think people might just think you've added a few scenes or lost a couple, when in fact the stories totally different.

James, I completely agree. Thanks for this topic. It's a good one.

I haven't been on the boards in awhile, but yes I'm here-- I've been working on a novel and articles and doing a lot of critiques as well. I had completed several early drafts of a script last March, but when I took the idea to novel, it grew and I've been working various elements of the craft.

It obviously depends upon the individual, but myself, I need to be involved in writing at different levels and I need to sometimes shelve works and come back several months later. I find it really helps and like you say, it gives one a fresh perspective so that one can see it more clearly.

What I do to flex my writing muscles is to force myself to shift forms every so often. It always amazes me how hard it is to do this. So if I come back to an old script after working on a novel for months, I have to get into "script mode" which obviously is entirely different!! And then I might go back to an old short story-- again it's different.

Whenever I write, even if it's shoddy first drafts that I don't even like to call first drafts, something good comes of it. If not right away, then later on down the road.

We need to write a lot of junk I think, before we start writing that pristine copy that evolves from many many failed attempts.

Sandra

Quoted from alffy Do you think though people will be interested in a script that's been up a while and says rewrite?  Sometimes I think people might just think you've added a few scenes or lost a couple, when in fact the stories totally different.

The only people you'll need to convince to read a rewrite are the ones who read the earlier drafts.  Usually curiosity and a good synopsis will bring new readers in regardless of draft number, but someone who already read an earlier draft and sees "rewrite" may not be as drawn in.  This is where the simple concept of asking politely comes into play.  I think if you were to nicely ask a previous reader to reread the new draft, maybe offer to read something of theirs, 9 times out of 10 they'll be more than happy to help you out.  At least that's what my personal experience is.