When I was writing one of my feature scripts, I got paranoid about the 90 page rule. I've seen people say that 80 pages is now an industry standard for small scale movies. However, the 90 page rule still seems prevalent enough to make me confused about which page count is actually preferred.
Screenwriting : Features below 90 pages by Tom Norton
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I think if your script is in the ballpark of 80-90 pages, as long as it's told well, then the exact page count is not such a big deal.
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Sometimes these page count rules make me nervous. I wrote a screenplay that was about 83 pages. I told the whole story but I was so nervous about the number of pages that I went back and just started adding stuff: longer dialogue, longer scenes, more scenes. I don't know whether it helped or hurt the story.
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For the screenplay competitions I have seen 75-120 pages, and some will just charge more for when an entry is over 120, and others won't consider at all if over their limit. I have read that for spec scripts 90-100 is the target range. I wouldn't be surprised if 80 or 85 becomes the new minimum "standard".
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90 pages or around 90 pages is the ideal page count for some indie filmmakers, Tom Norton. Less pages usually means a lower budget, and I've heard from filmmakers that some distributors require films to be 90 minutes or less so they can be shown more times (I'm guessing that means in theaters).
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I think these are in place to deter less experienced writers from taking a swing at their magnum opus that judges in the contest are now subjected to. There has t be a line somewhere.
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There will always be these rules and limits that feel somewhat imaginary, though, I believe that there are many scripts that gone on to be produced that most of the time don't follow "industry standards"! If you're unsure, I recommend checking on out Stage 32's Proofreading services here>>https://www.stage32.com/scriptservices/coverage/buy?id=33
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People used to say 108 was the sweet spot, but page count is not really something to spend a lot of time worrying about. It really depends on if your script is dialogue heavy or visual heavy. If it's heavier on the dialogue side, that can lead to a higher page count. While if it's leaner on dialogue, it will be a shorter page count. Do what's best for your story and your material and it's best to not get hung up on imaginary rules/regulations
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@Vikki Harris I know how that feels. The rule is technically arbitrary but it's so widespread that it feels like a requirement. 80 movies movies are perfectly fine - Toy Story is only 81 minutes and that's outright iconic - but I wonder how many were written by well established writers who are given more leeway.
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There's no rule and it all depends on who you talk to when. I had a producer tell me only last week that Netflix feel two hours is the sweet spot, so they want 120pp scripts. Not sure how true that is but it goes against all the film festivals in the indie scene which work with 90 minute screening slots.
As ever, this sort of stuff isn't going to impact selling a spec screenplay much. Good producers don't see scripts as rigid, finalised documents. They see them as something that can be adapted to their needs.
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The easy answer is to not work with ppl believing the 80-page "industry standard" bs
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I noticed in the entry info of the Coverfly Big Break Contest that 80 pages is min Feature page length.
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90 pages is usually for horror and comedy and other genres between 90-120.
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Aaron Sorkin said his first draft of An American President was over 300 pages (he is, after all, Aaron Sorkin - a lot of dialogue ;-) and I agree with his wisdom: write the story without page counting and then get out your exacto knife.
My approach (without preaching) is if you can write a gripping, well-structured story in less than 130 pages that grabs them and won't let go until everything is paid off in the end, no one will care if it runs over 10-20 pages. Some competitions may care, but most allow more.
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I saw today BlueCat accepts features with page counts between 65 and 125... One of my goals is to not be overly-verbose (re: the Magnum Opus comment) so I think I will keep aiming for the 90-100 range for right meow (I mean BlueCat and all right?...)...
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The 90-100 range is a good general target, but it of course all depends on the story and the script. Some other solid rules of thumb, anything in the 70 ish page count almost feels more like a TV pilot, and anything over 120-130 starts to feel self indulgent. Only Tarantino can get away with writing 200 page scripts, at least for now. All that being said, don't get too bogged down in page count though Tom Norton! : )
I do know that scripts that would be tagged ‘compartment’ films maybe much shorter page count.