I'm curious - historically, I've always done rewrites directly off the screen.  

Whereas, when reading other people's scripts, I like to have a hardcopy in front of me - allows me to jot notes, circle things (doodle in the margins at times...)

But seriously, it seems like there's something about having a paper hard copy in one's hand that helps the process.  On a computer screen, it's easier for some reason for the mind to wander, and miss things.  (At least, in my experience.)

So, I'm starting to think that rewrites of my own work would probably be well served via hardcopy - even if it means extra work (ie: reading it on paper, then making the changes electronically.)

So - what's everyone elses process?  And when you do a rewrite, what do *you* do?  IE: line by line, post cards, etc?

Whatever floats your boat. :)

I usually do it on the computer. Would love to do it hardcopy by the ink costs money. lol.

There's times when I like rewriting, and other times I hate it. The only reason why I hate it is if there's a lot of missing gaps. :)

Gabe

  

I use a PDF copy and highlight the parts I need to fix and leave a note for myself; I can do this online with Adobe Acrobat Reader X (free download). I like it better than FD8's insert a marker method or Movie Outlines task list method. At some point I do print a  copy to check it out for overall appearance and final read.

Rewrites and second drafts are for people who don't have any talent.

Which is why I'm on my fifth draft of a story right now.  :-)

But I agree, though, I like having a hard copy in front of me.  It just feels uncomfortable to do it electronically.

I don't even feel comfortable writing my first draft directly on the screen.  Usually, I write out all the ideas I have for dialogue and descriptions and actions longhand in a notebook, then I'll type it into a program, usually word processor.  So by the time it even makes it to my screen, it's pretty much a second draft anyway.

How do I handle reviews?

When someone gives me a bad review I take out a contract on their life. Who's next?

I will vouch for Gary's PDF program. I've seen his work on it, it's pretty cool. Gonna try it soon.

Hard copy is definitely helpful. I have to be economical with that, so I only allow myself 1 per script. Everything else just done on the computer. No index cards. My software actually has an index card feature, though I don't use much.

I do have a weird habit of writing a lot of scenes separately, saving them, then pasting them into the main. I like starting on a blank page, I guess. It's like a fresh white piece of paper. There's something unlimited and unspoiled about it, ripe with potential.

I will, quite literally, rewrite everything.  I'll start with a blank page and have the old draft opened somewhere on the desktop, and just start writing.  This allows me to go over everything, and re-write dialogue I didn't even think I wanted to when I originally sat down.

It's a long process, and a pain, but it works for me.

Actually a very good method Dressel. Something to consider, I think.

I generally rewrite on the screen. However, in the past, when the re-write is done I print it out, read the hardcopy and see such glaring errors that makes me think I must be a complete idiot for not noticing them electronically.  

I think a hardcopy really helps. I don't know why, but sometimes it can feel really different to going over and over a script on my laptop.

Huh? WTF is a re-write?   :P

Because I write by hand mostly, with pen and paper, and copy onto the computer sometimes days or weeks later, I can revise a great deal(and think of new stuff), as I go along.

Have done one major re-write of a script so far, and that was to introduce a new character. I must've went about it the wrong way - cut and pasting literally - as it became a real pain.

Matt's method sounds pretty drastic but if it works, go for it!

I almost never see my scripts in hard copy. I always rewrite on computer. I type bold notes into my scripts over the period where I figure out what needs to be fixed. By the time I'm ready to rewrite, there's notes everywhere. As the script progresses through various rewrites, the number of notes decreases but I always find something that can be improved, even if there's nothing inherently wrong with it.

Lately, I've taken to going over a given script twice before I have an official rewrite. The first run is where the actual changes take place. The second is proofreading, usually for typos created during the previous run.

I don't have any particular grudge against trees and $25 for a few ounces of printer ink seems rather exorbitant, especially compared to how much we grieve over the price for a gallon of gas.
So, like James, I rarely, if ever, print anything.

All edits & rewrites are on screen.
I modify what's already there and save as a next version because sometimes I find I like the first version better and don't want to over-write anything.

For reviews I'll pull up my gmail account and start copying and pasting items in a draft then follow with comments and whatnot (much to the ire of Phil. XO ).
Then I C&P the mess into a post or two.

I re-write as I write.  Works for me.

Ghostie

I've learned, in my couple of years here, that this site is the ultimate rewriting tool. I haven't posted anything in awhile, but that's going to change. I like to get a general consensus on the glaring problems before I rewrite. It worked well with So Pretty. This site helped make that script a finalist at Shriekfest.

Though, it is tough when the last few scripts you've posted were well reviewed. You begin to get an ego. Not good for a writer. As I've found. When I start to believe my new script wasn't as good as the last one, it sits on my PC. If your script runs the gauntlet here, you can see where its failing.

I've only printed out two scripts on hard copy since I've been here. They were the two best reviewd I've got. I do all my rewrites on screen. I like the hard copies just to sit down and read sometimes.

James

Well, traditionally, I've always written (and rewritten) on the screen - throughout the writing process.  I'll probably go through the wording for a scene multiple times just while writing it.  So it's pretty polished by the time first draft is done.  (Then I post it on Simply Scripts, and everyone points out the glaring problems I missed anyway.)  :))))))

But was sitting around last night, going over Bean Nighe in hardcopy.  Probably (IMHO) the most polished short I've got.  And a million little teeny tiny things jumped out on the page.  So maybe I'll start printing out one hard copy at the end for the rewrites, just to cover all bases.   Ray- like you, I'm not thrilled with the idea of killing a tree.   Then again, my stuff's just a drop in the bucket compared to larger environmental issues.

Dressel: Radical idea, complete retyping it!  I'll have to give that a try - though just for the shorts.  No way am I retyping a whole damned feature!  :))))

Quoted from wonkavite Dressel: Radical idea, complete retyping it!  I'll have to give that a try - though just for the shorts.  No way am I retyping a whole damned feature!

I love doing that.  If you're just browsing through it on the screen fixing things here and there, you might have tendency to just peruse instead of actually paying attention.  Re-typing it out, you're more focused on the sentences and you can tell if something doesn't sound right or if something doesn't roll off the tongue properly.  You're more concentrated, I think is what I'm trying to say.

Sure it's time consuming, but I think well worth it when you hear person after person saying 'What a smooth read that was.'

The best piece of screenwriting advice I ever read.

http://www.bluecatscreenplay.com/news/rewriting_your_screenplay.php

I wrote "Red Sun" before I joined SS.
After several months of exhaustive peer reviews, I revisited the script.
I learned so much here, that I started a new draft from scratch.
I split screened the previous draft at first, but stopped using it pretty quick.
Many supporting aspects leaped to life.
I felt better about my format skills, which gave me confidence with the story.

For the new feature, I wrote a raw first draft.
I printed it out and compressed 7% out of it without sacrificing a single scene.
Then that went off to coverage. Got notes.
I tweak on screen based on those notes, then print another hard copy.
I mark the crap out of the hard copy, then apply those changes.
All the while making more revisions while instituting the hard copy changes on screen.
I squeezed out another four pages during this phase, without losing a scene.
Then it's off to coverage again and get more notes.
Make more on screen changes based on those notes, then print another hard copy.
Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

E.D.