Quote: Seefacts @ June 12 2008, 9:34 PM BSTI've been told scripts have been too long going by page count loads of times though.
Iron suits.
If your script is a hundred pages long then obviously something's amiss. But stick to about 6000 words and you won't go far wrong.
I had a producer who told me a script was too long at 35 pages because he was working on the assumption that 1 minute equals one page. There was a good reason for him thnking that of course - he was a f**king moron.
Yuo can always reduce page count by reducing directions surely? That's what I did to help reduce a sitcom script. I had some overlong directions mind you, but I believe they should be kept to a minimum as possible.
Quote: Perry Nium @ June 12 2008, 9:37 PM BSTIf your script is a hundred pages long then obviously something's amiss. But stick to about 6000 words and you won't go far wrong.
I had a producer who told me a script was too long at 35 pages because he was working on the assumption that 1 minute equals one page. There was a good reason for him thnking that of course - he was a f**king moron.
Mine's 7100. So it's certainly too long.
Quote: Seefacts @ June 12 2008, 9:18 PM BSTNo revelations . . . Though channels want more female lead shows, which doesn't help me one bit!
Well that's a big thing right there. These things are pretty useful. as Tom Cullen would say, M.O.O.N, that spells 'useful'.
Def.
Quote: Winterlight @ June 12 2008, 9:38 PM BSTYuo can always reduce page count by reducing directions surely? That's what I did to help reduce a sitcom script. I had some overlong directions mind you, but I believe they should be kept to a minimum as possible.
That's true.
But I find doing that is infuriating as you go through the whole thing and find you've only lost 3 pages.
A female lead show. Hmmm, I suppose they do exist. I'm off to the British Sitcom thread to start a list.
Quote: Winterlight @ June 12 2008, 9:38 PM BSTYuo can always reduce page count by reducing directions surely? That's what I did to help reduce a sitcom script. I had some overlong directions mind you, but I believe they should be kept to a minimum as possible.
It's always good to trim the flab from your script - especially in the directions, so yes that can help. But just to reiterate - it's not page count that matters, it's how long it takes to perform.
If you're unsure the best gauge is to time it whilst some friends to read it out loud.
Quote: Seefacts @ June 12 2008, 9:39 PM BSTMine's 7100. So it's certainly too long.
Yeah sounds a little heavy but always better to be overlong than under. Gives you more elbow room when chucking out the shit.
Quote: Seefacts @ June 12 2008, 9:43 PM BSTWell, that's me out.
Quote: Perry Nium @ June 12 2008, 9:44 PM BSTYeah sounds a little heavy but always better to be overlong than under. Gives you more elbow room when chucking out the shit.
My personal issue is that the structure - although quite clever - isn't really good as a plot so it's coming across as a bit linear.
Add into that the fact I've been gorging on Seinfeld it's throwing me right off at the moment.
I'm happy with the first half - 14 pages or so, but the second half needs to kick on.
Quote: Seefacts @ June 12 2008, 9:18 PM BSTNo revelations . . . Though channels want more female lead shows, which doesn't help me one bit!
Yeah, a producer told me that too; a little sexist!! Surely it should be purely down to script quality, not tokenism. If a woman has a great script, then commision it, but it should purely be down to the script, not because she has a vagina. And boobies. That sort of thing annoys me. Not boobies, I like boobies.
Quote: Matthew Stott @ June 12 2008, 9:49 PM BSTNot boobies, I like boobies.
Who doesn't?
Quote: Winterlight @ June 12 2008, 9:52 PM BSTWho doesn't?
People without hands? Cant be as much fun grinding an elbow stump against a fun bag.
Oh I can still think of something to do with them even if you've got no hands!