Script pt. 2🤩

After getting the foundation of the script locked in, the time has come to move into the second phase of the writing process: rewriting, refining, and making it all good. If part one of scriptwriting was all about generating ideas, then part two is about sharpening every moment so that the final product feels clean, purposeful, and obviously funny.

This part of the process is definitely more tedious, but honestly, it is where the film is starting to take shape. This is me also realizing how critical revision is. 

1. The Comedy Pass

I knew I wanted this film to land squarely in the comedy genre, but writing actual jokes is soooo freaking hard omg. There’s a difference between something that sounds funny in my head and something that actually lands when a cast and camera involved.

So for each freaking line I am doing a dedicated “comedy pass.” This means reading through each scene, line by line, and asking: Is this funny or am I cooked? In some cases, it meant exaggerating a moment more. For example, a lot of Kate's weird interview questions were too tame—stuff like “What’s your greatest weakness?” turning into “Do you consider yourself emotionally available at work?” But then I decided to really push it. The final version has questions like “If you were a vegetable, which one would you be and why?” which I hope creates this totally bizarre shift mid-interview that completely throws Ashley off.

I also added physical humor where I could—small beats like the receptionist dropping papers. These little details help sell the awkwardness without needing constant dialogue.

2. Upscaling the Characters

In the early draft, the characters were there, but now they definitely need a little more personality. So now I am going back and adding small quirks to each of them to make them pop more. 

The nerdy interviewee is a background character, but I ma trying to give him an intense “motivational speech” moment that I want to make feel completely out of place. It just makes Ashley even more confused.

And with Kate, I want to make sure her transition from professional HR to unhinged HR felt smooth but surprising. You don’t see it coming right away, which is what will make it funny.

Even Ashley—our main character—is getting a bit more in this draft. I included more internal reactions and made her responses feel less scripted, more like how a real person would respond in a spiraling situation. Her awkward laughs, forced smiles, and delayed responses attempt to show her struggle to stay professional when everything around her seems to be falling apart.

3. Trimming 

One of the hardest things about writing for a short film is the time limit. Every line and scene has to serve a purpose. So in this phase, I had to cut some moments that I felt slowed down the pacing.

4. Final Touches and Formatting

Once the content was locked, I focused on polishing the formatting to make it as film-friendly as possible, at least to my pretty limited knowledge. Clear scene headings, short blocks of dialogue, and action lines that paint a visual picture. I added subtle cues for camera direction too.

5. Reflecting on the Growth

Looking back, this phase of writing taught me that good comedy writing is about being intentional. Every joke has to come from character, context, and timing. 

By the end of this process, I hope to feel that the script is ready. It has a clear tone, good characters, and moments that felt unique. I am really excited for when we start to film.