I've actually never properly outlined a feature length.  I've done steps for shorts and tv episodes and they are usually a few pages.  I don't know if that is long or not.  I'm shooting for your average ~90 minute comedy, how long should my outline be?  What's too long, and what is too short?

Whatever works for you.

My outlines are 25-30 pages long because I tend to be detailed and do a lot of pre-writing, but it's perfectly possible to nail the main story beats in less than that.

In the end, it all comes down to the level of detail you incorporate.
So long as it's not just a collection of ideas, but contains progressive story beats.

For me, Zombie Playground started out as a 30 page treatment.
It was divided by scenes with a bit of dialogue examples to set the tone.
Then, I revisited it shortly before I was going to sit down and write the first draft.


After that, I transferred the treatment into a cork board outline.



It's color coordinated by act with character cards sheets on top.
This gave me a "road map" to navigate through the first draft.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
E.D.

If you look closely at the bottom right orange card in Brett's picture it's just his grocery shopping list!

I saw it written, possibly by Sid Fylds, I don't remember, but he said you need 4 things: beginning, end, and your two main turning points at the end of act 1 and 2. After you have those you can start writing any time.

I don't think you need to have everything mapped out, but if you can do that, great. I think you need an overall idea of your protagonist's development, what that journey will be, and develop the story around it. I think people make the mistake, at least I have, of putting most of the development into the premise and neglecting the protagonist.

And give some thought to your story B, since that will provide much of your material in Act Two.

I have a link somewhere to Save the Cat PDF if you're interested in that. I don't think all stories have to conform to that, but it's very helpful.

Good luck!

i have all the save the cats, guess i need to read them again.

i'm pretty detailed.  20-30 pages is actually what I saw myself writing. thanks for the replies.

Quoted from Conz I've actually never properly outlined a feature length.  I've done steps for shorts and tv episodes and they are usually a few pages.  I don't know if that is long or not.  I'm shooting for your average ~90 minute comedy, how long should my outline be?  What's too long, and what is too short?

The outline for my screenplay I'm working on is about 34 pages.  I often wondered that too, but wasn't quiet sure how to word the question.  This is all new to me.

Here's something that might help...from my blog:

http://theworkingscreenwriter.blogspot.com/2007/05/outlining-process-part-1.html

http://theworkingscreenwriter.blogspot.com/2007/06/outlining-process-part-2.html

Quoted from leitskev If you look closely at the bottom right orange card in Brett's picture it's just his grocery shopping list!

Why you so and so!
I just noticed this today.
Put a smile on my face on an otherwise tough afternoon. ;D

Cheers,
E.D.