Many screenwriters fall into the trap of reaching the last page of their screenplay, writing “the end,” and immediately sending it out to as many people as possible.
“My screenplay is ready to be produced!”
No. Your screenplay is not ready. Think about it.
Most of the time, what people send out is what's called the crap draft or the garbage draft. While getting to the end of the crap draft is an accomplishment, it's not the final product worthy of sharing.
Industry executives are busy. They want to work with professionals. If you show someone an early draft, they will think all your writing is terrible. And you will never get a second chance to get your script read by that producer again.
- From Screenplay First Draft
- Rewrite Your Garbage Screenplay
- Popular Screenwriting Questions
- Glossary of Screenwriting Terms
Screenplay First Draft
While screenwriting is different for everyone, after writing more than twenty screenplays, I’ve refined a three-step process that may help you avoid common mistakes.
The first step is to write to the end, no matter what it takes.
Even if the story doesn’t make sense, it doesn’t matter.
Create characters without backstories.
Make them speak dialogue that sounds robotic.
Add plot points that don’t connect.
Reference scenes that never existed in the story in the first place.
Write whatever. Write anything to get to the end. All of this is okay.
When you reach the end of this exercise, you will have a complete “Garbage Draft” because it’s a piece of garbage that doesn’t make any sense.
Think of it this way: When someone decides to sculpt a statue, they start with a big stone.
The rock looks like a stone to the outside world, but then the sculptor starts chipping away.
And this is where things begin to take shape.
Rewrite Your Garbage Screenplay
The second step in the process is your “Rewrite Draft.”
If you’re making a sculpture, the equivalent of the rewritten draft would be that you’re making a face… And you’re making the bust.
You can see it taking shape, but it’s not yet clear.
So you get to the end of this screenplay draft, and it’s still not your first draft.
It’s still really rough. But you’re getting there. And now it’s time to go back a third time. This is the third step!
And you complete what’s called a “polished draft.”
Let’s bring it back to that sculpture again.
This is when you define the little pieces: the eyes, the nose, and the mouth. Once you have that done… congrats.
This is officially your screenplay’s first draft!
To recap, you first complete three passes before you have a screenplay first draft. This means you never show the garbage draft or rewrite it to anyone.
Make sure you always present yourself as a film industry professional.
If you liked these tips, check out my professional screenwriting course.
TL;DR
Avoid sending out your first “garbage draft” of a screenplay. Revise multiple times to create a polished first draft worth sharing.
Popular Questions
Here are some common questions and answers to help you understand more about writing your screenplay's first draft.
What is a Garbage Draft?
A Garbage Draft is the initial version of your screenplay where you write anything to reach the end, regardless of quality or coherence.
Why shouldn’t you show your first drafts to anyone?
First drafts are often rough and unpolished. Showing them can create a poor impression of your writing abilities.
What is a Rewrite Draft?
A Rewrite Draft is the second version of your screenplay where you begin to shape and structure the story, making it more coherent.
How does a polished draft differ from earlier drafts?
A polished draft is a refined version of your screenplay with detailed and clear elements, ready for presentation.
How many drafts should you write before sharing your screenplay?
You should write at least three drafts (Garbage, Rewrite, Polished) before sharing your screenplay.
Glossary
Here are some key terms mentioned in this article. Understanding these terms will further help you in the screenplay writing process.
- Garbage Draft: The initial, unpolished version of a screenplay.
- Rewrite Draft: The second version of a screenplay with major revisions.
- Polished Draft: The refined version of a screenplay, ready for presentation.
- Screenplay: A written work by screenwriters for a film or television show.
- Dialogue: The spoken words by characters in a screenplay.
- Plot Points: Significant events that change the direction of the story.
- Backstory: The background and history of a character in a screenplay.
- Scene: A single event or conversation in the screenplay.
Action Steps
Following these five action steps, you can transform your screenplay from a rough idea to a polished script. Each step is designed to help you progressively improve your draft until it's ready for presentation.
- Write a “garbage draft”: This initial draft is about reaching your story's end without worrying about quality. Just get your ideas down on paper.
- Complete a “rewrite draft”: Start shaping and structuring your story more coherently at this stage. Focus on fixing major plot points and developing your characters.
- Work on a “polished draft”: Refine details, dialogue, and clarity. This draft should be more polished and ready for others to read.
- Avoid showing anyone your drafts until they are polished and ready: This helps ensure that your feedback is based on the best version of your work.
- Repeat until you have a solid, professional-quality screenplay: Continue refining your drafts to ensure your screenplay is polished and professional.
