Screenwriting is Rewriting: The Art and Craft of Professional Revision

by Jack Epps, Jr.

If there is one skill that separates the professional screenwriter from the amateur, it is the ability to rewrite successfully. From Jack Epps, Jr., the screenwriter of Top Gun , Dick Tracy , and The Secret of My Success , comes a comprehensive guide that explores the many layers of rewriting.

In Screenwriting is Rewriting , Epps provides a practical and tested approach to organizing notes, creating a game plan, and executing a series of focused passes that address the story, character, theme, structure, and plot issues. Included are sample notes, game plans, and beat sheets from Epps' work on films such as Sister Act and Turner and Hooch . Also featured are exclusive interviews with Academy Award® winning screenwriters Robert Towne ( Chinatown ) and Frank Pierson ( Dog Day Afternoon ), along with Academy Award® nominee Susannah Grant ( Erin Brockovich ).

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Film

360 pages, Hardcover

First published November 19, 2015

Reviews

[Lea]

3.5

This was recommended to me by a professional writer who told me they use this book when re-writing their novels. I thought it was a helpful book for figuring out all the potential mistakes you can make in your script (or novel) to make it weak, and that need to be addressed. But I had hoped that the process of rewriting would be clearer and how to use the book would be easier. A lot of the information is repeated in different sections, and a lot of times the tips are rather vague.

I liked how much he emphasized that you need to print out your first draft, read it in one sitting and then figure out what works and what doesn't. But after this, I'm now just as confused about how to go about rewriting. It still seems just as daunting and unmountable as always.

I really liked the interviews with other professional screenwriters at the end, and I appreciated how different their approaches are from each other. For example, Susannah Grant (who wrote among other things Erin Brockovich) said she is always rewriting as she writes, so when she has her first finished draft, in some ways it's already draft number 30 or so. That's an approach that I feel much more comfortable with than the 1rst draft vomit version, where you end up with a really crappy version and then have to go in and rework it, even though it seems completely unsalvagable.

I haven't yet tried using the book while I rewrite. If it's helpful, I might bump it up to 4 stars.

[Rebecca]

I found this to be a good guide to the revision/rewriting process, and pretty much everything covered can be applied to prose as well as screenplays. I found a lot of the information repetitive at times, and I thought the process, and therefore the book, could have been streamlined. He also recommends watching certain movies in the beginning and makes it sound as though he's really going to break them down for study in the book, but you can get away without watching the movies if you don't want, and it won't take away anything from your reading.

[Chris Merola]

The pass system is super helpful, and I dig the interviews at the end. A lot of repetitive chapters tho, and ultimately reading about how to write is like reading about how to have sex, how to cook, how to play Jenga... just get some practice and you'll figure out what works for you

[Rachel Auer]

This book is very good at hitting the different things that make a screenplay interesting and successful, but it also repeats itself a LOT. Not just with the information it tells you, but says the same issue is caused by different things. Here's an example: In one chapter, it says that if your screenplay is not exciting, it's probably the lack of suspense. Then in another chapter, it says if it's slow or unexciting, it's due to the dialogue. This repeats itself throughout the book. I liked the advice for the most part, but this was frustrating, because I didn't know where to look to solve my problems because it told me if my screenplay is X, it's because of A, B, C, D, E, F, and G all at once.

[Audrey Knox]

Spoiler alert: I will be pulling quite a few lessons and quotes from this book for the upcoming rewriting class that I'm teaching. But even if you haven't finished your script yet, Epps' breakdown of character and relationships are worth the price of admission. There's some gold practical wisdom in here. I'm so grateful that this book was recommended to me.

[Kyra Richardson]

Read for class

[Monika]

A lot of this is focused on the same advice you would find in any screenwriting book, not necessarily one on rewriting specifically. It's very focused on Hollywood-style stories and the Hollywood system, so if that's not what you're writing it's not necessarily that useful or relevant.
There are some tidbits specifically about the rewriting process that I want to try and will want to refer to, but the content that looks useful and relevant to me could probably be a small booklet - around 60 pages.

[T. Alan Newton]

This book seems to be flying under the radar since it's not from one of the major film book publishers, but it is absolutely worth a read. It's one of the few books available about rewriting, and it's one of the most practical-minded books about screenwriting. Period. If you take the time to work through the chapters and honestly answer the questions your script will improve. I can honestly say this book made me a better writer.

[Colleen Ochab]

This book was assigned for my Rewriting the Feature class in my MFA in Screenwriting at DePaul University and it is a MUST READ for anyone who wants to make their screenplays better. While the selective multi-pass format for rewriting is not always my style - Epps presents loads of rewriting gold. The checklists are super helpful to make sure you don't miss anything overt when preparing your screenplay for the very best read. Helpful and insightful throughout. I will be referring to it often.

[Samuel Rose]

A Practical Masterclass in Professional Rewriting
Jack Epps Jr. demystifies the rewrite process with a clear, organized system that separates story, character, theme, structure, and plot into focused passes. The sample notes and beat sheets from Sister Act and Turner and Hooch make the method concrete. This is the most practical screenwriting book I’ve read on rewriting, and I recommend it to anyone serious about improving a script.

[Kermet Key]

I got this book hoping it would help me find the blind spots of my scripts, but ultimately it helped me realize I need feedback from other writers in order to do that and that every story is subjective. Writers MUST decide for themselves if the opinions or valid or if they're just pointing to something that needs subjective tweaking.

[Caitlin Buxbaum]

This is a book best read while you are actively working on a screenplay, which I am not. I did not read the middle third of this book (100-234) because I had to prioritize certain sections before returning it to the library, but I might have to buy it and finish it when I'm ready to dive into my next project.

[Simon Mike]

Finally, the Book That Focuses on Rewriting
Most screenwriting guides stop at the first draft, but Epps knows the real work happens in revision. His approach to organizing notes and creating a game plan before rewriting is exactly what I needed. The wisdom here feels like a mentor walking you through the hardest part of the craft. A must-read for screenwriters at any level.

[Charlotte Ledger]

From Overwhelmed to Confident in Rewrites
I used to dread rewrite notes, but this book gave me a repeatable process. Epps shows how to sort feedback, choose priorities, and execute focused passes without making new problems. The interviews with Robert Towne, Frank Pierson, and Susannah Grant add priceless professional perspective. I already feel more confident tackling my next draft.

[Pual Becker]

Real Hollywood Examples Bring It to Life
The sample game plans and beat sheets from films like Sister Act and Turner and Hooch are incredibly valuable. Seeing how a working screenwriter breaks down notes into actionable steps makes the advice believable and practical. Epps’s credits give him authority, but his teaching clarity is what makes this book stand out.

[Charles Holcombade]

A Clear System for Professional Screenwriters
Epps offers a tested method for rewriting that is both structured and flexible. The idea of doing separate passes for story, character, theme, structure, and plot helped me stop trying to fix everything at once. The exclusive interviews are a bonus that deepens the book. I recommend it as an essential resource for serious writers.

[Alan Lawrence]

Rewriting is where scripts are truly shaped, yet few books cover it in depth. This one does. Epps explains how to organize notes, build a game plan, and execute focused passes with clarity and patience. I’ve already recommended it to my entire writing group because it fills a real gap in craft education.

[John Clarke]

Reading this felt like having an experienced screenwriter guide me through the rewrite process. The focus on organizing notes and doing focused passes immediately improved how I approach feedback. Epps shares examples from his own work that make the concepts stick. This is a book I’ll return to often.

[Simon Peter]

If you’ve ever stared at a pile of notes and felt paralyzed, this book will help. Epps shows how to sort feedback, create a game plan, and tackle one layer at a time. The method is practical and professional, and the sample notes from films like Turner and Hooch make it easy to understand. Highly recommend.

[Jon Boat]

Epps doesn’t just talk about rewriting; he gives you a step-by-step system used by professionals. The separate passes for story, character, theme, structure, and plot are a brilliant way to focus your revisions. The interviews with legendary screenwriters add real depth. This is one of the most useful screenwriting books I’ve owned.

[Lloyd]

The book is exceptionally well organized, which mirrors the clarity of its advice. Epps shows how to break down a rewrite into manageable, focused passes so you don’t get overwhelmed. The real-world examples and interviews make it both practical and inspiring. I recommend it to any writer serious about improving their work.

[Emma Fischer]

Even though it’s aimed at screenwriters, the rewriting system here works for fiction and other storytelling forms. Organizing notes and doing focused revision passes helped my novel revisions too. Epps writes with warmth and authority, and the Hollywood examples make the lessons memorable. A valuable addition to any writer’s shelf.

[Paul Sona]

This is a solid, practical guide to rewriting with a clear, actionable system. The sample notes and beat sheets from Sister Act and Turner and Hooch are helpful, but I wish there were a few more complete examples. The interviews with Towne, Pierson, and Grant are excellent. Still, it’s a valuable resource for screenwriters wanting to professionalize their process.

[Noah Schneider]

Epps’s core message that rewriting is the real craft is important and well explained. The game plan and focused passes are genuinely useful. Some sections revisit the same points a little too often, which is why I give four stars instead of five. Nonetheless, I recommend it to anyone struggling with revisions.

[Melissa Hill]

Epps doesn’t just tell you to rewrite; he shows you exactly how to structure each pass so you can track your progress. The game plan concept alone transformed how I tackle notes from producers and peers. This book feels like a professional workshop in your hands, and I’m already seeing better results on my current draft.

[Adam]

Really good, targeted and practical advice on how to write a screenplay - written by someone who knows what they are talking about ( he wrote top gun) not some overhyped writer whose major contribution to film was "stop or my mom will shoot"

[Gregory S.]

What I love most is Epps’s supportive tone. He understands how hard rewriting can be and gives you a clear path through it. The book is full of concrete techniques rather than vague inspiration. I came away with a plan for my current script and a method I’ll use for every project going forward.

[Don-E Merson]

It is the most thorough book on screenwriting I have ever seen. I got it from the library but I am going to buy for my library.

[Joseph William]

THERES A GAZILLION TYPOS

[Esther Rose]

Great!

Really helpful for beginning writers especially when you don't know where to go next with your draft and how to improve it! Great stuff.