When it comes to screenwriting, it doesn’t have to be a solitary effort. Sometimes having a co-writer can make all the difference. You need someone to challenge you, to complement you and to offer a different perspective to ensure your writing stays tip-top and fresh!
It’s important to find the right fit in your co-writer. You need to get along, solve problems and overcome obstacles in the screenwriting process. While not essential, it does help to be compatible in terms of work ethic, communication and screenwriting skills.
You can’t just latch onto the first person who tells you they’re a screenwriter. It often takes a trial run and some co-working in order to see if you’re on the right track. So, before you tackle the mountain that is a feature film, it can help to start with a short film.
Before you crack on, discuss your vision for the project. You need to align your minds when it comes to selecting the right genre, themes and tone for your film. This foundational stage is important, as with any relationship, in getting on the same page. Don’t stop there. Turn that collaborative spirit into a brainstorming session where you can agree on plot points, character arcs and story beats.
Another fundamental aspect to the co-writing process is to figure out your methodology. You need to decide how your writing is going to happen. Will it be a case of writing alternate scenes or entire acts before reviewing each other’s work and making adjustments? How will you manage in terms of the screenwriting software. For instance, Writer’s Duet enables screenwriters to write on the same script that is continually updated on a cloud server. Or, you can try using Final Draft, Celtx or Fade In and saving to a central location.
It’s important to keep the channels of communication open. This is a massive factor when it comes to work styles, constructive criticism and honest feedback. Being co-writers means being on the same team and being communicative and responsive ensures the best results. Part of the problem-solving process involves knowing how to disagree and find the best solution going forward. Keep tabs on your milestones to ensure you work to deadlines and manage your time effectively.
It’s also useful to establish some rules for conflict situations. You may reach an impasse when it comes to creative differences or ideas for the script’s direction and it helps to agree on a system where each writer gets to have their way or take the discussion to another level for final resolution. Consider the veto rule where each co-writer gets a number of vetos in order to undo or rule out certain decisions.
While it helps to have a teammate to keep morale up, much like being a solo screenwriter you also need to be able to detach from your work and allow space for rewrites and revisions. It’s also important to know where you stand in terms of the business matters when it comes to payment and percentage splits on contracts.