Is there a thread here on PAGE COUNTS?

Reason I’m asking; I’m currently in the final stage of my current script and I always knew it would be thick at around 110 pages…

As I’ve written, I have continually gone back and shaved unnecessary fat off but it looks like my final page count will be around 120 pages.

Is that right on the edge of just being too thick?

I know there is always more fat to cut, but for a first draft, I’ve already gone back a dozen or so times and have taken around 20 pages of fat off.

Thanks for any input you might have.

Shawn…..><

It depends on the genre. You also have to think about what happens during shooting. Scenes may be cut all together, for a number of reasons.

Character driven dramas tend to be a bit long, at or around 110-120.

Comedies, especially farces and slapsticks, tend to be around 90 pages. Horrors are shorter, as well.

Overall, though, I think it depends on the story itself. Are you telling this story the best, clearest, most efficient way you can? If so, then 120 pages is perfect.

Led,

Well, since the average movie cost around 105 Mil to make, you're looking at a million bucks per page, unless it's a blockbuster, then you can double that.

But you're in the ballpark, 90-120 pages so...but eventually I'm pretty sure you'll end up shaving off more down the road-- regardless.

At this point in the process, I'd probably do a complete ESSAY of your script.  This is my approach... it works for me.

Just a suggestion

Ghostie

Knowing you, Shawn, that is too thick. You write comedy, but better to have too much and cut it down than to not have enough and have to add fluff!

James

It seems there's slight variances for the sweet spot of certain genres...

Horror 90 - 95
Comedy 95 - 100
Rom/Com 100 - 105

And action and drama should be under 120.

Trimming down scripts is in stages for me...

There's that rough draft I don't show anyone... ever.
Then I trim that down and send that draft out to readers.
I'll take notes and trim again then submit.

For instance, I recently wrapped up a complete rewrite of Clone Wife.
The rough draft came in at 116 pages.
I got that down to 110 pages before anyone saw it.
Then after those notes, I got it down to 105. Rom/com sweet spot.

And that's the draft that went to the producer.

Regards,
E.D.

Ideally, I hope my drafts come out shorter than expected so I have the freedom to add. So I guess my approach is the opposite of many. Unfortunately it seldom works out that the first draft is shorter than expected.

There's kinda no such thing as a first draft anyway, for me. Because the scenes I wrote yesterday get reworked today before I write today's scenes. And they probably get reworked several times as the writing takes place. That's the beauty of word software. I would have really struggled in the typewrite age.

Shawn, the way I hear it,  110 is better than 120, and 100 is better than 110. And the reason is simply this: if it's a spec script, you're dependent on a reader taking a shine to it. The shorter the script, the more likely a reader will dig in, read all the way through. That might not be fair, but they have a lotta scripts to read! That's the way I hear it, and it makes sense to me. Your main goal is to get some reader to read your script and like it.

Hey everybody-

Thanks for the great input. I feel more comfortable now taking this to 120 pages.

If it's less than that, then great but I really think it's going to be right there.

Hey James- believe it or not, this one is a very dark drama & to tell you the truth, I'd rather be doing comedy right now. Heavy subject of kiddy porn and murder in this one.

It's laying out really good though. Looking forward to putting the FADE OUT: on it though.

********************

Then it's on to a re-write of Mission Style.

I wanted to put this out there as well. Around March of next year, I'm digging into a new comedy I've been chewing on for about a year now.

I might be in the market to do a C0-Write with a fellow writer here.

Here is the catch though. I want to write it with someone really comfortable with comedy.

I can name about 5 of you out there who I'd love to do this with...

If you think you fit that bill and are interested, PM me and we can discuss it.

Shawn.....><

Don't worry about page count until you've started your third or fourth draft.  First draft is just to get the story on paper.  I've had first drafts come in as high as 175 pages.  After a few rewrites, they come down to reasonable lengths.


Phil

Hey Shawn -

You should really PM the five individuals involved, see if any of them are interested in a co-writing gig!  (Just in case they're not reading this thread.) Just a thought.  

--J (wonka)

Quoted from dogglebe Don't worry about page count until you've started your third or fourth draft.  First draft is just to get the story on paper.  I've had first drafts come in as high as 175 pages.  After a few rewrites, they come down to reasonable lengths. Phil

Good point Phil!

Glad to see you around again.

Shawn.....><

Quoted from ghost and_ghostie gal Led, Well, since the average movie cost around 105 Mil to make, you're looking at a million bucks per page, unless it's a blockbuster, then you can double that. Ghostie

I'm not sure where you're getting that info from or if you're even speaking in dollars, but that sounds extremely high. I could be wrong, but I would think that if the average movie cost one million dollars per page, Hollywood would have run itself into the ground by now.

Led,

Like a few people mentioned, the page count really depends on the genre usually but you shoul worry about it too much until you begin rewriting. Especially if you have a high page count. Cutting down is less difficult than adding pages that aren't there.

Quoted from wonkavite Hey Shawn - You should really PM the five individuals involved, see if any of them are interested in a co-writing gig!  (Just in case they're not reading this thread.) Just a thought.   --J (wonka)

Great advice Wonka...

Thanks

Shawn.....><

YeeHaa!!

After almost a year, COSMIC JUSTICE is done!!!!!!

Just sent it to Jeff, so the master can get started editing it...

Interesting note:

The script came in at 108 pages until I went in and changed the paper setting from A4 to LETTER and it added 8 pages to end it at 116 pages.

Still below the 120 page marker...

Once I get some notes back and tweak it, I'll be posting it here.

I'm just glad to have it out of my head and on paper.

I cannot wait to get back to comedy. The dark stuff is tough!

Shawn.....><

Quoted from Ledbetter YeeHaa!! After almost a year, COSMIC JUSTICE is done!!!!!!

Congrats, Shawn. Must be a great feeling, buddy.

If you need another set of eyes over it other than the Jedi Master that is Jeff, then don't hesitate to give me a nod.

Otherwise, I'll read when posted.

This is quite a dark story right? I can't help but get a comedic vibe from the title...don't know why?

Good luck with it.

Hey Coop-

Would love to send it over to you. I can use the advice and input of a few private sources before I put it out there.  Some of the content is pretty disturbing and deal with real bottom feeders in our society.

If you can PM me your email, I'll send it over.

Shawn.....><