You would have to rename it since there is already a TV show called The American Dream.

Editing it as a pilot could be your best bet, depending on the story. You could edit it a bit, leave some loose ends so that it could be weaved through subsequent episodes. But then, the original draft of El Mariachi is between 45 and 50 pages (give or take) and it turned out to be a full length movie.

12 pt font to George Willson's question .. and I think that's a good idea about the TV pilot - there is a big loose end because it's a political drama that follows a president fighting for reelection - but it sounds like the West Wing and there's the title: the American Dream .. something to think about.

That being the case, I would agree that a TV series pilot would be a very good idea, especially since you have somewhere you can go with it.

I always use 12pt Courier (default for scripts) I wrote two pilots, originally a 2 part (buffy, i think, had a 2-part pilot.) I then re-wrote the pilot, Now the come up to about 45 pages, (46,w ith title page) and that's only cause I write the end creits in, with characters etc.

Danny

My scripts, come to about 45 mins in length, which is about 45 mins on TV, but is 1 hour in totale (4 acts, breaks between acts 1, 2 & 3, then act 4 is final act.)

How many pages is the proper length? Or the least you think one should be?

90-120 pages for a feature? My idea.

That's about right.... though my last one runs 145.

should be aiming for a minimum of 80-90 pages

If you go with TV pilot, as an episode, then I'd say about 45-50 pages. You could write it into a TV pilot movie (Buffy & Sabrina The Teenage Witch) and then write it into a TV series.

Just my thoughts.

Danny

I, myself would actually say 75 Pages feature. I have problems with page lengths, like my horror 'The Devils Transplant' which was supposed to to be a feature, but only ended up being 15-17 pages lol Anyway, we'll not go into that...My current script in progress is like 28 pages at the moment..and I need to hit the target of at least 75, even though it's supposed to be 100 minutes. Anyway...who knows?

Try for a target between 95-100 pages which works out to around 95-100 minutes (idealy 120 minutes max).

A thing to remember...when you're in the planning stages (hopefully there is one!), to help things along in regards to length, try this:

1-10 pages -- introduction of main character, set up roles.
20th-30th page -- introduce you first 'spin'. Indicates end of act 1. Spins us towards setbacks to main characters to reach goals.
60-70th page -- another spin. End of act 2. Spins us towards climax and resolution.

Act 1 is about 30 pages
Act 2 is about 60 pages
Act 3 is about 30 pages

The three act structure will help you keep the screen length good. If you run out of storytellin' or ideas then it either means:
A. You haven't thought the story through enough
B. You haven't developed your characters enough
C. Basically, the story can't be developed anymore to keep it interesting. See TV pilot or short.

Look up the 3 act structure online. It can be really useful!
Hope this helps!
MacDuff

So...then 30 pages wouldn't be considered a short? Oh damn...

-ONEY

Shorts can range from 3 to 45 pages depending on the type of short you're going for. For the festival ciruit, you should be shooting for no longer than 10 minutes, preferably 5. For, say, a TV drama, 45 pages would be a good length. If you're getting towards 50 or 60 pages, it's probably best to flesh it out to feature length.