I’ve been struggling with my writing since a traumatic car accident over a year ago. I just finished writing a new script (the second draft, actually), and the story feels right to me. The problem: it’s a feature, but only 81 pages.
How bad would you consider that? Should I be worried about beefing up the script before submitting to managers and competitions?
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not really, look at your main reason to add pages... you want to have full movie, now the producers might scrap scenes the more scenes the better usually 80-120 you CAN still write
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Hi Dana Hawthorne. With only 81 pages, that's going to be problematic. It's too short. I would definitely look to do some more work before submitting. The story may feel right to you, but I'd take a hard look at the Act Breaks. On what page does Act 1 turn and shift into Act 2. Then, on what page does Act 2 pivot into Act 3. At 81 pages, the breaks should roughly occur around page 20 and page 60. If they do break around those pages, then the Acts are spaced about right, but you just don't have quite enough story there to fill out a feature. I mean, 81 is barely out of the 70s. If you were up toward 88, 89, I think you're fine in that zone. If the Act breaks are off, and say you have a really long Act 2 and Act 3 is too short, then there's still work to do to balance that out. And that's just more writing.
I recently worked with a producer on a revision of a 93 page action spec. Because we were at a crisp 93 pages, we had room to add stuff. The revision was 100% about character work. Going a little deeper. Taking the foot off the action gas to allow more development between the lead characters. The action and existing dialogue didn't get touched a lick. The revision came in at 99 pages. So 6 pages were added just by going deeper and finding moments to expand on character interactions. We let some key scenes breathe a little more. Perhaps you can look at your 81 pages and think about where you might be able to do something similar with character. Good luck, and congratulations for getting those drafts written! You're not far off, and I'd be surprised if you don't find a way to put a little bit more exactly where it needs to be.
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81 pages is certainly on the lean side, Dana Hawthorne. I'd suggest beefing up your b-story line to get the count up to the 90 mark.
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dialogue heavy scripts have a high page count, action heavy tend to have a lower page could.
“he chases her down the street” is a line which is about one second. That is going to be more than that on screen.
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Hi, Dana, You've been given some good advice here from the others. I can only add congratulations for recovering from your accident to the extent that you can write a screenplay! Short scripts are good for short stories, it can be said. I always have the opposite problem - I have on offer scripts that that would seem to be too long . I am dialog heavy (but each talk scene moves the depth of the story, doesn't waste time). Anyway, get back to it. Good luck. Dale Reynolds writdale@gmail.com
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Thank you so much for the advice and encouragement, everyone! I’ll definitely be going through and using what you’ve all shared to try and beef up the story! :)
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Dana, a good screenplay is more important hitting a specific page count. When it comes to getting a film distributed, runtime only needs to be about 75-85 min depending on platform. With that in mind, I think you're fine. If your screenplay is all talking heads, then I'd add some moments that don't involve talking. My last script I produced was originally 71 pages long and I cut out 14 pages during filming and it's still 79 min runtime. Moral of story, depends on how it's shot. Wishing you all the best!!
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Thank you, Stephen Folker
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I’m not sure if knowing the genre would help, but it’s a political romance. Rough logline: Two political opponents fall for each other in the midst of a heated election.
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Hi Dana - Maybe step away - send for coverage from a professional outsider who might suggest like to see more development of this or that. Helps me whenever I'm up against a wall.
That said, all 81 means is there's more room for story if there's more you want to tell. Cheers :-)
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Very generally, and all things being equal (i.e. not A QUIET PLACE), a script that short points to underdeveloped characters. Look there.
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81 pages is ok if that's all you need to tell the story, Dana Hawthorne. If you can add things to make your script longer, great, but make sure those things are important to the story and not filler. I watched a feature film a few days ago that was 85 minutes (with opening credits and end credits).
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How long does it read? The average is one page equals one minute but not all scripts read out that way. Establishing shots, travel shots, montages can all add up and make the final production longer. Have you read through it and allowed yourself extra time, for instance, a scene where a character may just be getting to their office, getting out of their car, and heading into the lobby, elevator, hanging up their coat? It's very little page space but actually visualizing it can be quite different.
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Dont know your experience/track record or how you format/dont format to standard screenplay form, but if you think 81-pages is fine, leave it alone. Dont apologize for page count. Either your readers are gonna dig your storytelling or not. This is a spec screenplay, right? GL!
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Bill Albert honestly that’s what I was thinking and why I wanted to ask, because I have a series of shots that, written out, takes up about a quarter of the page, while (in my head at least) it’s plays about a minute. I was thinking that maybe it plays a good time, but written is a little short. Thank you for the input!!
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I might be commenting a lot on my own post, but once again thank you for all the input and advice! Brain injuries are a new experience that I’m still getting used to, even a year after my car accident, and it helps so much to have a community to turn to for help!
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You're welcome, Dana Hawthorne. Congratulations on finishing a script after the accident! You're inspiring! We're here for you!
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A prod-co that specializes in horror insists all (if not most) scripts they produce are trimmed to 85. However other readers may think you've got room to add more on character. I think 90 is the sweet spot. I recall a tutorial on adding character scenes before and after action i.e. the calm before the storm and then the aftermath.
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Depends: If you have quite a bit of Montage Sequence/Timelapse Composite/Flashback (Requiem for a dream) in there...you might get away with it, considering all of the scenes are phenomenally tight and must be kept by producer. if not, there is room to prolong some scenes. But first, study the pace of the film, the rhythm of the characters and cadence between the two aforementioned to know where to add and not just adding dialogue for the sake of adding to fulfill page count. Sometimes all you need is for your protagonist to overcome one more obstacle, you can add 4 to 5 pages easily. My two cents..! Good luck Dana Hawthorne
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It's a good thing and, if anything, advantageous.
1) Most screening times at film markets are ~90min slots.
2) A 90min film is typically cheaper to make than a 120min film.
3) It suggests you don't write with much fat.
4) It's a more inviting read as requires less time.
5) There's room for more should notes demand it.