Does anyone know how many words approximately, should be in a fifteen minute script?
How Many Words About
1 page is roughly 1 minute. 1 minute x 15.
It depends on how good you are at self editing or whether you can express a whole sentence in one word.
Is there mainly dialogue or description or a balance of both?
I'm not sure why you need to be precise about word count, care to share? 
I was told by the clever people on here that a normal 30 min sitcom should have about 7000 words so I would guess, using my amazing maths skills, about 3500 words is what you are looking at.
I've got quite a minimalist approach to stage directions.
My 15-minute script is looking like it will wind up at about 2700-2800 words.
And it'll be 30 pages (12-point text, 1.5 line spacing, generous header/footer, approximate BBC ScriptSmart layout)
Best way to work it out is to read it out loud. You feel like a tool, but it only takes 15 minutes.
Quote: Leevil @ November 2 2009, 12:52 PM GMT1 page is roughly 1 minute. 1 minute x 15.
It depends on how good you are at self editing or whether you can express a whole sentence in one word.
Is there mainly dialogue or description or a balance of both?
I'm not sure why you need to be precise about word count, care to share?
I've gone off a page a minute before but this is sort of single and a half spacing, directions in caps and I'm on page 5 and it doesn't seem much.
It's for the 15 min play comp on BBC writers room
This is a bit of it. It's about drugs/dealers
.......
FRANKIE
BY
SET IN SMALL COUNCIL FLAT. GRANDMA AND JOHN ARE IN THE LOUNGE. DOOR OPENS AND JOHN'S MOTHER BURSTS. IN. SHE THROWS A BANK BOOK AT JOHN.
MOTHER
You left this in my car you little shit. I'm through with you; and you can forget your 21st birthday party an'all. You're no son of mine.
JOHN
F**k off.
MOTHER
TO GRANDMA
For the last time mother, you're wasting your money. You put five hundred quid in his account again and he draws it all out the morning after? He'll never stop it; he's just taking the piss.
SHE STORMS OUT.
GRAN
......And then there were two……just me and you now John.
JOHN
I'm sorry gran.
HE BREAKS DOWN. GRAN GOES TO COMFORT HIM. SHE KNEELS AT HIS FEET AND HOLDS HIS HAND. SHE IS WEEPING SILENTLY.
GRAN
We'll get through this somehow…… Why did you take the money out? It was supposed to be for straightening your account to stop bank charges.
JOHN
I know but I was desperate
Quote: Leevil @ November 2 2009, 12:52 PM GMT1 page is roughly 1 minute. 1 minute x 15.
I was given this guideline once. Truly, I can't say it works. At least, not if you're using the BBC template for sitcoms.
Of course, it gets even more complicated when somebody says there should be "three laughs per page" 
Quote: Kevin Murphy @ November 2 2009, 1:01 PM GMTI was given this guideline once. Truly, I can't say it works. At least, not if you're using the BBC template for sitcoms.
Of course, it gets even more complicated when somebody says there should be "three laughs per page"
It's fair enough using the BBC template, but BBC aren't the only production company, and I'm sure they'll be happy to receive it even in the classic American screenplay format, as long as it is readable and any good.
Quote: bushbaby @ November 2 2009, 12:58 PM GMTGRAN
And then there were two……just me and you now John.
JOHN
I'm sorry gran.
HE BREAKS DOWN. GRAN GOES TO COMFORT HIM. SHE KNEELS AT HIS FEET AND HOLDS HIS HAND. SHE IS WEEPING SILENTLY.
GRAN
We'll get through this somehow…… Why did you take the money out? It was supposed to be for straightening your account to stop bank charges.
JOHN
I know but I was desperate
It's like looking in a mirror
Is 'Gran' an actual Grandmother? I like the idea of this team, best of luck with it BB.
Quote: Leevil @ November 2 2009, 12:52 PM GMT1 page is roughly 1 minute. 1 minute x 15.
I think it's more like 30 seconds per page. Depending on your layout of course...
I actually don't follow that rule myself (and not because I'm a lazy bugger who doesn't write, Ben!). I think it's about time I removed it from my automatic responses of writing questions.
Quote: Leevil @ November 2 2009, 2:51 PM GMTIt's fair enough using the BBC template, but BBC aren't the only production company, and I'm sure they'll be happy to receive it even in the classic American screenplay format, as long as it is readable and any good.
It's like looking in a mirror
Is 'Gran' an actual Grandmother? I like the idea of this team, best of luck with it BB.
Yes it's grandma, I'll make that clearer..... ta
done it
I want to do a short scene where John sniffs cocaine while his gran is in the bathroom. What happens when someone does that, are they instantly on a high? happy? or what? Does anyone know the behaviour? Is it an instant reaction or does it take a while for the drug to take affect?...........ta
Quote: bushbaby @ November 3 2009, 2:44 AM GMTI want to do a short scene where John sniffs cocaine while his gran is in the bathroom. What happens when someone does that, are they instantly on a high? happy? or what? Does anyone know the behaviour? Is it an instant reaction or does it take a while for the drug to take affect?...........ta
If he's a frequent user he probably wouldn't appear much different.
What made you choose this subject matter BB? Are there many references to actual drug use?
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ November 3 2009, 8:20 AM GMTIf he's a frequent user he probably wouldn't appear much different.
What made you choose this subject matter BB? Are there many references to actual drug use?
It's any genre but not to be more than 15 mins long
Quote: bushbaby @ November 3 2009, 2:44 AM GMTI want to do a short scene where John sniffs cocaine while his gran is in the bathroom. What happens when someone does that, are they instantly on a high? happy? or what? Does anyone know the behaviour? Is it an instant reaction or does it take a while for the drug to take affect?...........ta
Quote: Leevil @ November 3 2009, 11:25 AM GMThttp://www.talktofrank.com/
Thanks Leevil, I did click on the link and then was frightened of clicking on anything on the page....chicken or what?