I'm currently at 32 which is a lovely length, I think. However, on making adjustments it bumps it up to 33. Anyone got any experience in how many pages producers or people in the industry want? Would 33 be passable?
Script Length in terms of pages...
It depends what the word count is also - and for what kind of show.
Thanks. It's sitcom by the way. I'm aware word count should be around 6000 or something.
Then all is cool I should say. 
Have you read it out? There's no better way to find out.
Doesn't it have to be to the right hand side? Therefore leaving it blank on the left for comments etc?
In which case the page length would be longer. But 6000 words sounds rightish for a 30 min script. But a word counter, counts the directions too.
Best thing is to act it out as there maybe pauses in there, that make some parts funnier
Quote: Lord Meldrum @ June 14 2010, 2:38 PM BSTI'm currently at 32 which is a lovely length, I think. However, on making adjustments it bumps it up to 33. Anyone got any experience in how many pages producers or people in the industry want? Would 33 be passable?
It all depends on the expected length in minutes of the sitcom episode.
If it is typed in one-camera format (Films & drama) the producers & directors fondly believe that they get one minute of finished film per page of script.
3-camera Sitcom studio format uses only the right hand side of the page, dating back to the days when scripts were typed on typewriters and copied with photocopiers so the left side was reserved for putting in the audio instructions and the camera shot instructions for the final production script.
Unless the production company has specifically asked for sitcom format script, you might as well type or reformat it in Film format and reckon on one minute per page for your submission scripts in the UK.
If you want to retain Sitcom/Studio format then the best was to estimate the length, as mentioned above is to read it out yourself at the expected pace. Try reading it into a camcorder & then play it back to check. Also camcorders have timecodes so you can use it to exactly measure the duration of portions of your read-through.
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Also check this thread:
https://www.comedy.co.uk/forums/thread/5583/
where more is said about script formats.
Nobody cares with sitcom as long as the word count is right ish ish and it looks like a script. Content is far more important than form. It's like a well made pie.
Quote: billwill @ June 14 2010, 7:39 PM BSTIt all depends on the expected length in minutes of the sitcom episode.
If it is typed in one-camera format (Films & drama) the producers & directors fondly believe that they get one minute of finished film per page of script.
.
I thought this was the basic rule of thumb - whatever that means.
Quote: Marc P @ June 14 2010, 7:59 PM BSTNobody cares with sitcom as long as the word count is right ish ish and it looks like a script. Content is far more important than form. It's like a well made pie.
I have to agree. Apart from the bit about the pie. I've no idea what that's about. 
At this stage 32 or 33 pages makes no difference.
The basic rule of thumb in writing means for you to get it out of your rectal passage and actually start writing. Easier said than done mind.
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ June 15 2010, 4:08 PM BSTI have to agree. Apart from the bit about the pie. I've no idea what that's about.
At this stage 32 or 33 pages makes no difference.
Life according to Pie. I think Mister Bakewell's relative published a book on the matter.