British Comedy Guide

How long should a one hour episode be??? Page 4

Quote: Marc P @ July 17 2009, 9:17 AM BST

If I read an e-mailed script the first thing I do is check the word count so I know how long, roughly, it is.

You should get out more, Marc. :)

Quote: Tim Walker @ July 17 2009, 11:37 AM BST

You should get out more, Marc. :)

On my way out shortly for a big fried breakfast!

:D

Mmmnnn...

*licks lips*

Thanks for the info, Marc. Much appreciated. :)

How many pages should a 20 minute play be?

Quote: sardines @ July 17 2009, 4:10 PM BST

How many pages should a 20 minute play be?

If it's a page per minute then it should be twenty pages.

Would it not be more dialogue heavy?

Quote: Marc P @ July 17 2009, 4:18 PM BST

If it's a page per minute then it should be twenty pages.

You say that, but a lot depends on font size. What if it's 36? Or 48 even?

Quote: Matthew Stott @ July 17 2009, 4:20 PM BST

You say that, but a lot depends on font size. What if it's 36? Or 48 even?

Then you need bigger pages.

Quote: sardines @ July 17 2009, 4:20 PM BST

Would it not be more dialogue heavy?

On a serious note :D Plays are more dialogue heavy. McKees rule of thumb is action 80/dialoguee 20 in films 50/50 for TV and 80% dialogue in plays.

As it is so dialogue heavy it is of course a lot easier to time it by reading it aloud. Impossible to say how many pages without knowing the format you are using. I know FD has a stage play option.

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