Page-one rewrite
Also known as page-one · ground-up rewrite
A ground-up rewrite that rebuilds the script from a new structural plan while keeping what still serves the story — not a line edit.
In practice
A page-one rewrite starts from a new structural plan: new want, new act design, or a premise that finally has teeth. Keep the old draft available on a named save point or a full draft line so useful scenes remain recoverable without trapping you inside the broken engine you are leaving behind.
Rebuild against a fresh beat sheet before you rescue favorite set pieces from the prior draft. Nostalgia reintroduces the old structure one "keep this" at a time. When an experiment is local — another button, another scene landing — use a take and promote the winner instead of forking the whole document.
Today incorporate lands a winning draft line as a whole after you preview it and click Incorporate. For scene-scoped winners after a rebuild, open a take on that scene or run Agent Mode against the range, then keep the winner.
In a WGA-covered theatrical deal, page-one rewrite can also be a compensation term rather than only a craft description. The 2026 MBA establishes a new minimum for qualifying page-one rewrites beginning May 2, 2026. Check the current agreement and contract before assuming that every structural restart falls under that provision.
Common questions
When is a page-one rewrite the right call?
When the premise, protagonist want, or act design is wrong. If cosmetics cannot hide a soft engine, stop polishing and rebuild from a new plan.
How do I keep good scenes during a page-one?
Park the prior draft on a save point or draft line, rebuild against new beats, then recover only what still earns its place under the new spine.
Should I use a draft line or a take for a page-one?
Use a draft line when the whole document must live in parallel. Use a take when you are testing an alternate scene inside the rebuild.
Can incorporate pull only my favorite scenes?
Not today. Incorporate lands the whole winning draft line. For scene-scoped winners now, open a take or run Agent Mode on that scene.
Does the 2026 MBA set a page-one rewrite minimum?
Yes for qualifying WGA-covered theatrical deals beginning May 2, 2026. The contract provision has specific conditions, so confirm the current agreement and engagement.