Script Length

[abintegro]

Any comments on the minimum number of pages a script should be?

My draft is only about 80 pages. When I've analyzed produced scripts with my software program, I have enough dialogue in comparison, though my description of the scenes fall short.

Is it that necessary to 'fatten' up the scene descriptions?

[phoenixwriting]

For other threads dealing with script length, click

here (http://p068.ezboard.com/fdonedealfrm23.showMessage?topicID=2159.topic) and here (http://p068.ezboard.com/fdonedealfrm23.showMessage?topicID=2014.topic) and here (http://p068.ezboard.com/fdonedealfrm23.showMessage?topicID=1783.topic) and here (http://p068.ezboard.com/fdonedealfrm23.showMessage?topicID=1200.topic) and here (http://p068.ezboard.com/fdonedealfrm23.showMessage?topicID=1610.topic) and here (http://p068.ezboard.com/fdonedealfrm23.showMessage?topicID=1601.topic) and here (http://p068.ezboard.com/fdonedealfrm23.showMessage?topicID=1512.topic).

:)

[ComicBent]

Regardless of how your dialogue compares, in length, with that in other scripts, your manuscript is too short. Shoot for a hundred pages.

A short script almost always means not enough conflict and complexity in the characters (and the conflict and complexity will manifest through ACTION and DIALOGUE).

[wcmartell]

Problem may be that you've written a radio play. Movies are about people *doing things*, so instead of adding "fat" to your desciptions, add the image part of the flm - people doing things. It's not descipion, it's *actions*.

Try writing a scene without a word of dialogue that reaveals character through actions... and makes the audience feel something.

Just saw IN GOOD COMPANY and they do some great stuff showing Topher when he's not at work and contrasting it to Quaid when he's not at work. No dialogue... but you really see how different each one of these guys are through WHAT THEY DO.

- Bill

[Writingfan]

Is 110 pages too short for a drama/romance type movie? Or could it be longer? Just curious.

Writingfan

[wcmartell]

110 pages is the ideal length for a script this week... you probably don't want it any longer (if you can help it). Comedies can be shorter (for some reason).

90-110 is the range... I always try to break 100.

- Bill