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Which draft should I read?

November 11, 2010 QandA, Writing Process

questionmarkI have a subscription to a service that gives me access to multiple drafts for screenplays. I’ll read a draft, then watch the film to see how it’s fleshed out. Having only enough time to read ONE draft, what’s more beneficial to my own writing: reading the draft latest in date, or earliest?

— Brendan
Los Angeles

Mix it up. You’ll notice big changes if you read the earliest drafts. But the later ones give you a better sense of how the words on the page translated to the screen.

There may also be a benefit to reading some drafts from the middle of the process, particularly if the project changed writers. And if you have the opportunity to read a few scripts by the same writers, you’ll get a better sense of how their style stays consistent–or changes–from screenplay to screenplay.

Related Posts

  1. Drafts and revisions
  2. When friends read your script
  3. Keeping motivation after four drafts

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