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Revision Mode

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Final Draft's Revision Mode is a really great tool, but I rarely see writers who really know how to use it.  That's ok though.  Now that the script is in Production's hands, it's your responsibility to ensure it's maintained and correct.  Revision made can help you track those changes and communicate to the crew clearly.  For all instructions and illustrations here, again, I use Final Draft as the example.

The script on openly editable all the time, revision mode allows notations to be made to show what's changed from version to version.  Traditionally, the printed note is an asterisk (*) on the right side of the page, per each line that was changed.  On the computer screen, the text also changes color.  So, let's say you have checked the script 100 times and numbered it - what do you do now?

 
 

LOCKING THE SCRIPT

The first thing you'll want to do once you have the script to a production friendly completed state, is "lock the pages".  This is the basis on which Final Draft will use as a reference to any future changes.  To do this, follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Go to the "Production" menu
  • Step 2: Select "Lock Pages"

Yes, it was that easy.  Notice too that there is a selection offered as "Locking Tools".  I won't talk about those here, but it's important that you (or whomever is in charge of actually making script revisions on your project) understand what thee tools do and how they work.  Final Draft has a good online instruction manual to explain all this.  Use it.

Now that the pages are locked, you can safely do revisions.

 

 

MAKING REVISIONS

Let's jump right into it - here's what you'll want to do:

  • Step 1: Go to the "Production" menu
  • Step 2: Select "Revisions..."

STOP!

Don't get ahead of yourself and select "Revision Mode".  I know it's tempting. Be patient, we'll get there.

You should now see this window:

 
Notice a few things here.  On the left is a list of revision levels, which you can customize.  I like to redo them to names of colors, and have that order match the (fairly) standard script page revision order.
  • Blue
  • Pink
  • Yellow
  • Green
  • ...and so on.
You also have different options on how to denote changes, as well as the asterisk by default.  You can change these options, per revision.  So, if you wanted to play outside the box, you could use * for the first revision, and + for the second and perhaps # for the third.  But don't get silly - I suggest you stick with the asterisk, unless you have really good reasons to go another direction.  Chances are, you'll just confuse people.
 
Now, ensure you have the "First Revision" (or whatever custom name you call it, for me it would be 'Blue') in the upper "Active revision set" drop down box and click the "Revision Mode" box at the bottom.  Congrats.  You are now in Revision Mode.  Any changes you make will be in the denoted color and be marked on the right side of the page.  With each successive revised version, repeat this method, selecting a new 'Active Revision".
 
Good luck!