You basically get 25 pages to pack in as much as you can.
This is bloody difficult. I always gear everything to towards the BBC, so go for 35-40 pages. But it feels like it's impossible to fit everything in in just 25 (or less) pages.
It makes you appreciate how good US writers are - especially on Seinfeld. The stuff they get into 22 minutes is mind-blowing.
Has anyone here tried to write something at just 25 pages? If so, any tips?
Main thing for a commercial channel is to have a distinctive break-point right in the middle to keep them hanging on.
Main plot, short B plot, avoid any other stories is what I'd try personally. Unless you're going for three equal mains (like Friends) but you need five-six characters minimum for that.
Dan
Quote: swerytd @ June 12 2008, 2:17 PM BSTMain thing for a commercial channel is to have a distinctive break-point right in the middle to keep them hanging on.
Dan
Jeepers - good call. I'd totally forgotten that. And luck would have it, I think I have got that!
If you look at your BBC geared scripts, how much of that is really needed? And how much is padding?
Seeing as I'm a lazy git, I started to focus on the idea of writing for 25 pages instead of 35-40. It makes it less daunting for me, plus discourages me from wondering off into mindless rambling too.
You'd be surprised what you can cut from a script and for it still to work. You just need to be ruthless.
My first attempt at a sitcom was only 24 pages long. Probably has something to do with me being lazy though.
I don't think I could ever write 30+ pages for an episode. I don't have the patience.
If you are aiming at a commercial channel, does this mean that a spec script should be 25 pages when you send it off, OR should you send say 40 pages and if they like it then wittle down to 25?
Another question - If you are doing a cut job to get down to your desired page level, does changing font size count? By changing from pt.12 to pt.10 I can remove 8 pages.
It's odd questions, but someone has to ask them.
Def.
Quote: swerytd @ June 12 2008, 2:17 PM BSTMain thing for a commercial channel is to have a distinctive break-point right in the middle to keep them hanging on.
That’s v. true if you’re writing for C4. However If you’re writing for ITV surely the main thing (unless you want to be thought of as awkward, difficult to work with and an upstart) is to remove all the jokes, this way it will fit in with the stations comedy policy and be easier to schedule. A rough rule of thumb is "The fewer the jokes the closer to primetime".
Quote: Seefacts @ June 12 2008, 2:13 PM BSTIt makes you appreciate how good US writers are - especially on Seinfeld. The stuff they get into 22 minutes is mind-blowing.
Couldn’t agree more. (Amazon have got some great offers on Seinfeld box sets at the moment…approx £12.99 each if I remember correctly. Or £85 for the whole 9 series box set)
Quote: Deferenz @ June 12 2008, 4:44 PM BSTAnother question - If you are doing a cut job to get down to your desired page level, does changing font size count? By changing from pt.12 to pt.10 I can remove 8 pages.
It's odd questions, but someone has to ask them.
Def.
No keep it to 12 - preferably an easy to read one like Ariel or Times New Roman.
Think in terms of overall word count at about six and a half K and you will be fine in terms of a submission of a spec pilot to either ITV or BBC.
Quote: Marc P @ June 12 2008, 5:20 PM BSTThink in terms of overall word count at about six and a half K and you will be fine in terms of a submission of a spec pilot to either ITV or BBC.
My last script was approx 6600 words and this came in at 56 pages. I was told by a few people that this was much to high and should be closer to 40.
Def.
Quote: Marc P @ June 12 2008, 5:20 PM BSTNo keep it to 12 - preferably an easy to read one like Ariel or Times New Roman.
Think in terms of overall word count at about six and a half K and you will be fine in terms of a submission of a spec pilot to either ITV or BBC.
Commercial channels give you 22 minutes. So I'd say about 25 pages would be okay. The Beeb give you 28-29 so 30 to 34 pages would be what you're after. That's virtually a 10 page difference.
My script weighs in at a meaty 45 and have been told to trim it.
On a different not Danny Stack's blog says you can use 'End of part one' if you want, but you don't have to if you've made it obvious where the cliffhanger/break is.
Don't talk to those people Def.
Quote: Deferenz @ June 12 2008, 5:41 PM BSTMy last script was approx 6600 words and this came in at 56 pages. I was told by a few people that this was much to high and should be closer to 40.
Def.
How was it laid out?
Quote: Seefacts @ June 12 2008, 5:53 PM BSTHow was it laid out?
I used Script Smart and pt.12 is the norm for that I think. Everything is double spaced and looks 'HUGE' on the page.
Def.