Dialog : Descriptive ratio

[FJ and G]

My guess is that there is no magic forumula and there are a host of variables. But I'll throw the question out.

I'm 1/3 done w/my script now and calculate that the ratio is 50:50 dialog to descriptions. Does that sound about right? For 110-page movie.

THanks.

[NikeeGoddess]

stop overthinking it.
a real storytelling isn't counting lines/words/spaces.
just write the freakin' story.
being 1/3 done with the first draft means very little in the big picture.
you'll have to do numerous rewrites anyway.
just write!!!

[mammamaia]

by the time you write your 6th or 7th screenplay, you won't be counting lines or quantifying dialog and action... do what nikee says...

[maestrowork]

As long as you tell the story right, it doesn't matter. Some script are heavy on dialogue (most dramas, romantic comedies, etc.) some are not (action/thriller, etc.) Do what works and stop worrying about ratios.

[Hamboogul]

I had a script that had 23% dialogue.
I had another that had 49% dialogue.

Most of my scripts fall somewhere in between. But as these folks said, it's a non-issue as long as the story is good.

[A Pathetic Writer]

I had a script that was 30% dialogue. The interesting thing, though, was that same script had 70% action. Is that too much?

[Hamboogul]

APW,

That could be due to rounding error. :smack

[A Pathetic Writer]

I never considered that, Ham. I'll go back and recheck.

Angelina, you're a doodoo head.