# Page-one 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. Also known as page-one, ground-up rewrite ## 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. ## Try it in a free tool - [Compare screenplay drafts — free script diff](https://www.inkwell.software/tools/screenplay-diff): Compare two screenplay drafts by scene, dialogue, character, exact text, and production impact. Load a rewrite example or paste Fountain and FDX privately in the browser. ## Official sources & context Sources reviewed Jul 29, 2026 The craft technique and the MBA compensation provision are related but not interchangeable. Deal coverage and minimums require the current agreement and contract. - [WGA — 2026 MBA contract changes FAQ](https://www.wga.org/contracts/contracts/mba/2026-mba-contract-changes-faq) [Page-one rewrite minimum](https://www.inkwell.software/resources/screenwriter-pay) ## 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. ## Related terms - [Polish](https://www.inkwell.software/glossary/polish): A late-pass rewrite focused on line quality, clarity, and rhythm — not a page-one reconception of the story. - [Script doctor](https://www.inkwell.software/glossary/script-doctor): A writer brought in to repair specific problems in an existing script — structure, dialogue, tone — often under time pressure, and sometimes without onscreen credit. - [Draft line](https://www.inkwell.software/glossary/draft-line): A parallel version of the same document — explore an alternate ending or rebuild an act without overwriting the draft you may still need, then land the winning line when you decide. - [Save point](https://www.inkwell.software/glossary/save-point): A named, unchanging snapshot of your draft at a moment you choose — “Table read,” “Before studio notes.” Unlike autosave, it never quietly overwrites itself, so you can always return to exactly that version. --- Canonical page: