How many pages and/or scenes is a full movie script? I have heard that a script should be 90 pages, but is that double or single spaced? Also, do you guys number the scenes in your script? If so, how many scenes should you have by the end? Thanks.
How long is a script?
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First things first, format for screenplays is very rigid. It's way, way more than single or double spacing. There are multiple margins for different script elements, a font which must be used, and rules about everything.
If you're going to consider screenwriting, take a half hour and learn the rules. There are lots of places you can get them. You can produce a perfectly-formatted script in word processing, or use free formatting software Celtx, or pay for Final Draft or Movie Magic. I'd recommend beginners use Celtx, until you know if you're going to stick it out long enough to be worth the investment in software.
Once you've got the format down, yes, a short script (comedy, horror) tends to be right about 90 pages. You have a bit more room in a drama, up to 100 or so for an unknown writer.
Maryn, parroting the real screenwriters
If you're going to consider screenwriting, take a half hour and learn the rules. There are lots of places you can get them. You can produce a perfectly-formatted script in word processing, or use free formatting software Celtx, or pay for Final Draft or Movie Magic. I'd recommend beginners use Celtx, until you know if you're going to stick it out long enough to be worth the investment in software.
Once you've got the format down, yes, a short script (comedy, horror) tends to be right about 90 pages. You have a bit more room in a drama, up to 100 or so for an unknown writer.
Maryn, parroting the real screenwriters
the rule of thumb is: one page = one minute of screen time
therefore an average 90 minute film is 90 pages, but there is obviously some leeway in that. No screenplay should ever be more than 120 pages.
and do what Bebop says, get FinalDraft, or similar software. Nobody will look at your sreenplay if it is not formatted correctly.
therefore an average 90 minute film is 90 pages, but there is obviously some leeway in that. No screenplay should ever be more than 120 pages.
and do what Bebop says, get FinalDraft, or similar software. Nobody will look at your sreenplay if it is not formatted correctly.
Seems as though I've read that some go for 110 to provide a happy medium/edit ability to chop down.
I'm at 90 now and need to build some suspense....but I must say its a writing process that knocked me for a loop. Good luck with yours!
I'm at 90 now and need to build some suspense....but I must say its a writing process that knocked me for a loop. Good luck with yours!
The good news is that all of the Oscar nominated scripts are online - 100% legally. (It's great that many competitions with a 'best screenplay' category are now insisting that the screenplay be made available as an entry condition. I was once asked to judge a 'best screenplay' for a film festival. I asked for the screenplays to read ... nope - not provided. But I was asked to choose which had the best one anyway!)
Here is one of many links: http://blog.moviefone.com/2011/02/25/read-oscar-nominated-scripts/
Simply read the scripts to learn.
Good luck,
Mac
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This thread's 3 weeks old now (and I just noticed it! 
) so I'd hope the OP already got the answer...
Check out the screenwriting tips thread, which attempts to answer or at least suggest answers to most basic questions.
-Derek
) so I'd hope the OP already got the answer...Check out the screenwriting tips thread, which attempts to answer or at least suggest answers to most basic questions.
-Derek
For one and a half hour should be 90 pages.
For a 2 hour movie should be around 120 pages.
I have a free ebook that you can download to your computer.
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For a 2 hour movie should be around 120 pages.
I have a free ebook that you can download to your computer.
For more info click here
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Well, yeah, but it's just as easy to do proper formatting in Word. Where FinalDraft helps is in other aspects of writing. Format is easy, and can be done with all sorts of templates. Or even with a manual typewriter and tab settings.
I think most who say FinalDraft is a must have never written any other way.
Absolutely.
That's why it's great that there is free software out there to do it - programs like Trelby. www.trelby.org
Yeah, I use Final Draft too ... but with all the other options out there that are compatible with Final Draft file format, Final Draft certainly isn't a must.
Mac
(The bugs in Final Draft drive me nuts, though.)
When you're submitting your first screenplays, I've been told by multiple sources to NEVER go over 120 pages, and preferably not over 115 even.
Most readers can tell how long a screenplay is when they pick it up and if it's too heavy it will just get tossed unless there's something else that will compel them to read it.
Most readers can tell how long a screenplay is when they pick it up and if it's too heavy it will just get tossed unless there's something else that will compel them to read it.
I just finished my editing and it came out to be 115 pages, but it's a comedic drama, so I think these tend to run a little longer (character development, story arc, etc.)
Personally I find my pages do not run more than 80 . The first sixty pages is a smooth sail and than I have to add in such a way the script does not lose its flow. But some of the scripts run to 190 pages . Lincoln's script by Tony cushner is one example , but the script was awesome.