My screenplay length?

Question

I recently finished a feature film screenplay and I'm concerned about the length. When I wrote it in a notebook it was 92 pages long but then when I typed it, it became only 45 pages long. I know that the average is about 1 minute screen time per page, but mine is about 2 minutes per page, some pages are longer about 5 minutes. Making it 90 to 100 minutes long, so thats the average.

Should I be concerned about this or should I just write and whatever length it ends up being is it's length?

thanks

Answer 1

It sounds to me like you might not be formatting your script correctly. Are you using a professional scriptwriting program (the industry standard is a program called "Final Draft")? This program makes everything easy with formatting it. If not, make sure you are typing your script using Courier Font, 12 pt. Single space the dialogue and double space elsewhere.

The reason why this formatting is important is that the reason why people are able to determine the "page a minute" formula is that if every script follows the standard, it actually works out that way. Check out this link, it has a really direct explanation of current formatting standards, and try them on your script to get a better appx of the actual length.

Answer 2

Typically for a feature film the screen play must be around 85 to 130 pages long. I took a screenwriting class a while back and have wrote several screenplays, as have entered contest, and the rules state for a feature film you must at least have 85 pages.

Answer 3

How are you judging the length of screen time per page.

I would have to see the script to help. But it sounds like a short
film to me.

My shortest script is 96 pages, my longest is 134 pages.

The rule of thumb is 1 minute of on screen dialog equals 1 page.

You could submit your script to American Zoetrope for review.

You can get there from:

http://www.hunterentertainment.net/

Click on interesting LINKS then click on American Zoetrope.
center column bottom just above Film Commissions.