Written by Hal Croasmun on June 9, 2010.
About a year ago, we started having a curious thing happen in our more advanced classes. People started asking me this question:
"This is the best script I've ever written. How can I possibly improve the best I've ever done?"
My normal thought on this is to learn more skills and then apply them to the script. But the writers who were asking were some of our best writers, so I had to look deeper.
So I read some of their scripts and they were right. Those were some pretty good scripts. The interesting thing was that there was nothing wrong with those scripts.
Nothing wrong.
Make sure you understand this because it is going to be important later in this article. Most scripts have things wrong with them. Some have glaring mistakes. So they are easy to critique and improve. You just solve the problems.
But these scripts didn't have any problems. There was nothing wrong with them. So the standard solutions didn't work.
And that is when I realized something. Most people work to the point where there is nothing wrong with their script...and then they're done. Their standard for success is "nothing wrong."
Essentially, they have a script with no flaws. Is that the same thing as a great script? Can a script have nothing wrong and still not sell? You bet.
You don't just want a flawless script. You want an amazing script.
Right?
You want a script that blows producers away. You want it to sell you as a writer and you want it to be produced.
That takes more than "nothing's wrong."
So I created a simple, but profound 4-step process for besting your best.
THE PROCESS FOR BESTING YOUR BEST
1. Decide that you are going to improve this script until it is truly amazing and until it causes people in this industry to give you the respect and admiration you deserve.
This is important. When I talk with people who have written their best script ever, most of them don't want to do anything else to it. What they want is for it to sell the way it is.
Essentially, they've shut off the creative process because they thought their script was already done.
In order to improve it (improve is different than change, remember?), they must step back into the arena and fight the fight again. All it takes is a decision.
Make the decision now and you'll enter into the creative process on this script. As soon as you decide, you'll start thinking of ways to improve the script. Just do it.
2. Put the script away for 7 to 21 days.
You've made the decision to improve this script. Now, I want you to get some distance from it. That way, the next step will be so much more valuable.
If you've ever done this, you know that when you return to the script, the break time allows you to see the script with fresh eyes.
I know that you are going to want to dive in right away, but that is just stirring the same pot. The objective here is to separate the script from the emotion that may be clouding your thinking.
When you return to the script, you'll be more objective and that means you'll be more creative.
3. Change your standard from "nothing wrong" to "nothing can be improved" and discover all the areas that can be elevated.
This is the fundamental shift that will double or triple the quality of your screenwriting. Once you have a script where there is nothing wrong, you can then go for this new standard.
This step is simple. As you read your script, flag everything that can be improved. Using a 1 - 10 scale, if a character is a 6 and you'd like them to be a 10, flag that character. If a scene is good, but not great, flag that scene.
Do that process on every structural point, character, scene, description line, and dialogue line.
We had a lady come to us with a "perfect script." She had two different consultants confirm that the script was perfect and ready for the market.
Both Cheryl and I read it and we were very impressed. She had written a script to be proud of. There wasn't a single thing wrong with it and it was a compelling read.
When I did this process with it, I found 39 places we could improve.
Keep this in mind. The script consultants weren't lying to her. Her script was perfect -- according to their standards. But she wanted the script to go to Studios, so I applied a higher standard.
When we finished elevating those 39 spots, she said that the script was at least 200% better. I believe her assessment was accurate.
4. Elevate everything you can until nothing can be improved.
This final step means you are going to apply the best skills you have and you'll be doing a lot of brainstorming.
But it is worth it.
Simply put, just start with the first item that needs to be improved and get clear on the purpose of that item. Then, brainstorm ways to fulfill that purpose and don't stop until you have elevated the item.
Then move to the next item. Continue that process until all the items are improved to the level you want them to be.
BTW, this works extremely well -- if you have professional level skills so you can elevate any piece of writing. If you want to improve your skills, join us for an upcoming ProSeries and you'll get what you need to make this process fly at a professional level.
---------------
Do this process one time and you'll be hooked. It will take a lot of work, but the results will astound you. Anyone who has read your writing before will see a significant improvement. Many of them will be overwhelmed at the new quality level.
Final Recommendation: Take a script you've already written through this process IMMEDIATELY. It will give you a better script to showcase your talent and turn this information into an experience that will pay off many times in the future.
And when you win a contest or sell a script, email me to let me know how this process worked for you.
I'm looking forward to that.
About a year ago, we started having a curious thing happen in our more advanced classes. People started asking me this question:
"This is the best script I've ever written. How can I possibly improve the best I've ever done?"
My normal thought on this is to learn more skills and then apply them to the script. But the writers who were asking were some of our best writers, so I had to look deeper.
So I read some of their scripts and they were right. Those were some pretty good scripts. The interesting thing was that there was nothing wrong with those scripts.
Nothing wrong.
Make sure you understand this because it is going to be important later in this article. Most scripts have things wrong with them. Some have glaring mistakes. So they are easy to critique and improve. You just solve the problems.
But these scripts didn't have any problems. There was nothing wrong with them. So the standard solutions didn't work.
And that is when I realized something. Most people work to the point where there is nothing wrong with their script...and then they're done. Their standard for success is "nothing wrong."
Essentially, they have a script with no flaws. Is that the same thing as a great script? Can a script have nothing wrong and still not sell? You bet.
You don't just want a flawless script. You want an amazing script.
Right?
You want a script that blows producers away. You want it to sell you as a writer and you want it to be produced.
That takes more than "nothing's wrong."
So I created a simple, but profound 4-step process for besting your best.
THE PROCESS FOR BESTING YOUR BEST
1. Decide that you are going to improve this script until it is truly amazing and until it causes people in this industry to give you the respect and admiration you deserve.
This is important. When I talk with people who have written their best script ever, most of them don't want to do anything else to it. What they want is for it to sell the way it is.
Essentially, they've shut off the creative process because they thought their script was already done.
In order to improve it (improve is different than change, remember?), they must step back into the arena and fight the fight again. All it takes is a decision.
Make the decision now and you'll enter into the creative process on this script. As soon as you decide, you'll start thinking of ways to improve the script. Just do it.
2. Put the script away for 7 to 21 days.
You've made the decision to improve this script. Now, I want you to get some distance from it. That way, the next step will be so much more valuable.
If you've ever done this, you know that when you return to the script, the break time allows you to see the script with fresh eyes.
I know that you are going to want to dive in right away, but that is just stirring the same pot. The objective here is to separate the script from the emotion that may be clouding your thinking.
When you return to the script, you'll be more objective and that means you'll be more creative.
3. Change your standard from "nothing wrong" to "nothing can be improved" and discover all the areas that can be elevated.
This is the fundamental shift that will double or triple the quality of your screenwriting. Once you have a script where there is nothing wrong, you can then go for this new standard.
This step is simple. As you read your script, flag everything that can be improved. Using a 1 - 10 scale, if a character is a 6 and you'd like them to be a 10, flag that character. If a scene is good, but not great, flag that scene.
Do that process on every structural point, character, scene, description line, and dialogue line.
We had a lady come to us with a "perfect script." She had two different consultants confirm that the script was perfect and ready for the market.
Both Cheryl and I read it and we were very impressed. She had written a script to be proud of. There wasn't a single thing wrong with it and it was a compelling read.
When I did this process with it, I found 39 places we could improve.
Keep this in mind. The script consultants weren't lying to her. Her script was perfect -- according to their standards. But she wanted the script to go to Studios, so I applied a higher standard.
When we finished elevating those 39 spots, she said that the script was at least 200% better. I believe her assessment was accurate.
4. Elevate everything you can until nothing can be improved.
This final step means you are going to apply the best skills you have and you'll be doing a lot of brainstorming.
But it is worth it.
Simply put, just start with the first item that needs to be improved and get clear on the purpose of that item. Then, brainstorm ways to fulfill that purpose and don't stop until you have elevated the item.
Then move to the next item. Continue that process until all the items are improved to the level you want them to be.
BTW, this works extremely well -- if you have professional level skills so you can elevate any piece of writing. If you want to improve your skills, join us for an upcoming ProSeries and you'll get what you need to make this process fly at a professional level.
---------------
WHAT TO DO?
It is easy to think that you've worked your script to death and there
is nothing else you can do. But if you actually go through your
script focusing on the search for places you can improve, you'll be
surprised how many show up.Do this process one time and you'll be hooked. It will take a lot of work, but the results will astound you. Anyone who has read your writing before will see a significant improvement. Many of them will be overwhelmed at the new quality level.
Final Recommendation: Take a script you've already written through this process IMMEDIATELY. It will give you a better script to showcase your talent and turn this information into an experience that will pay off many times in the future.
And when you win a contest or sell a script, email me to let me know how this process worked for you.
I'm looking forward to that.
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