Okay so I wrote a script based on a video game and it's currently at 140 pages. I know I could take out about 20 pages to put it to 120 pages before uploading it, but the rest of the stuff is extra characterisations and more characters from the game (it would involve cutting out a whole sub plot). It could be done, but but in a way I consider the 140 pages to be like a director's cut and the 120 the theatrical.

I know that most people wouldn't want to read a 140 page script especially if they're not fans of the game (Resident Evil), but the 140 has a lot more characterisation on some interesting characters, plus like I mentioned, a whole other subplot going on.

So basically, what would people be willing to read; 120 or 140?

By the way it might not be up for a while, I'm staying at a friends right now and it's saved on my computer which isn't here, plus there's a few scenes I want to clean up anyway.

To be honest 120 pages is still a lot anyway, so an extra 20 mins probably wont make much difference.  If it's vital, leave it in but re-read it and you my find some that could be trimmed.  Any 140 page script will have people saying this could be chopped out and that could be left out anyway.  What you want to mae sure though is that it doesn't read slowly, if it does a lot may stop well before the end.  There's nothing worse than a long script that drags, make sure your descriptions aren't too heavy and that you don't have dialogue that doesn't move the story forward.  In the end, it's up to the reader to decide whether they are interested in reading the script or not.

You do recall that you already have a 140-page Resident Evil script posted, right?

http://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b-horror/m-1179966766/s-0/

Or are you talking about a different 140-page Resident Evil script?

yeah this one's a rewrite, I really need to get someone to take that old one down. I'll E-mail Don and see if he can do it at some piont.

Part of writing is being able to kill your darlings. Even though it all seems warranted and I understand how you feel completely, think in terms of market.

A lot of films only just surpass the 90 minute mark. Why not try for 110 pages. See what you can do with that. One movie is just that-- one movie. If you try and cram too much in, you will lose out right off the bat.

Sandra

140 pages seems alot for a video-game adaptation... 140 pages seems more like an epic. I'd definitly recommend cutting 20 pages if you can.

I can't think of any video game adaptations over 2 hours.

Quoted from dresseme I can't think of any video game adaptations over 2 hours.

I can't think of any video game adaptations that are actually half-decent movies.

When will that change? I can't believe it's impossible...

Depends.  Casino is like 200 some pages and its awesome anyways.

Thanks, I'll probably cut it down to 120 pages. As for no others being 120 pages, that's something that's always annoyed me, especially with one I liked, cause it felt like it ended just when I was starting to get into it, so as a fan, I know what I'd like to see in it, and I write that. Didn't really plan on it being 140 pages though, but I just got caught up in it all.

I'll ask Don to replace the old one with the new one when I get around to uploading it. Still needs some work though.

Quoted from dresseme I can't think of any video game adaptations over 2 hours.

Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life - 117 mn... Doh, almost...

Oh yeah I forgot Tomb Raider. I actually liked them. And yeah most video game adaptations suck, but I think mine's good (doesn't everyone think they're own is?) but I think it is, mostly by putting in what fans want and trying to structure a decent story and characterisations.

1st of all... You already wrote the script. You then rewrote it but yet the page number didn't change? Please... You've got bigger problems with the script if it was 140 pages to begin with and then, after the rewrite, still 140 pages.

How about axing 40 pages off it? That would be a rewrite/polish... you're wasting your time. I had to say it. You need to find what works and what doesn't. I'm sure you think it "ALL" works, but it really doesn't... You can cut, you just said you could. Don't make us read everything "YOU" want in the script... Make us read what "NEEDS" to be in the script.

Actually I'm sure it was only 130 on the first draft, I know that doesn't help my case though. I don't focus on page count as I go, but I always prefer to write longer scripts. Also that's actually good advice looking for what needs to be in the script over what I want to see in the script.

I agree with Baltis. Take off as much as you can... 110 pages all up would be much better, 100 better again.

How close is your adaptation to the game? If it's the same exact story as the original, there's no reason you should even cross 100 pages. In fact, aim for 90, give or take a page of two. If not, you still should still aim to trim 25 pages minimum. If you need that much more script for characterization, you've got a problem. The general concept of the game is simple enough anyway. I don't care what the story is. An adaptation doesn't (and shouldn't) need to be epic length.

For me is better to write a long script and then cut it down than write a short script from the beginning .... In the first option you can find what you dont need and remove it... you move to perfection as a sculptor....

You cant have a complete script if you begin with a short one because you dont have to remove , but to add.......

just some thoughts.

Am I missing something, or wasn't Resident Evil already made into a movie?

It was made into a mediocre movie that had nothing to do with the game's storyline. Thus, it's perfectly acceptable to vent out frustration with fan scripts.

--Julio

Correction it was made into a shitty movie, which had a shitty sequel, and then a 2nd shittyer sequel which contained the biggest miscast of all time - Jason OMara as Albert Wesker. lol

Double correction...it was made into a pretty good movie, with a pretty poor sequel, and an abysmal third sequel!

The orginal RE movie was pretty cool...good cast, good produciton, just some poor CG work, and a mediocre script, but it had its high points and that's a great beginning, and a cool atmosphere.

No clue how or why the 3rd was so famn pathetic!  Damn, I was upset with that turd.  What a waste!

I guess I'm just disappointed in the first because it didn't really have any of the character from the game.

Just lame Alice.