Yet MORE formatting questions...

So, I'm working away on this radio sit-com and wondering a few things.

The Writers' Room states that a standard episode runs for 28 mins at the rate of 50 seconds a page. By my calculations that amounts to 33.5 pages. That about right? Could I go longer than this even?

Does anyone have the exact indents for their format? I can't use Scriptsmart on my Mac so I'm having to ape the template on Word. As it seems like a precise science with them, I'd like to get it right. Also, do they insist on double spacing or could I fudge 1.5?

Help appreciated.

David

Hi David

It's not exact. Bear in mind things on pages tend to make some pages longer/shorter than others; pauses, quick dialogue could make pages very different in actual length.

Our radio pilot is 44 pages long, though breaks are used for new scenes. On readthrough it lasts about 25 minutes -- reading it aloud by yourself is probably the most useful guide you've got. (Even then that won't take into account other people's interpretation of your script and how they see the characters in that interpretation)

Don't worry too much about the specifics of the formatting, as long as it's clear and concise to the reader.

Hope this helps

Dan

Thanks, Dan, much appreciated. My script is choc full of quick exchanges, which really seems to bump up the page count. I should be able to type 'end' before 44 pages though.

No probs. Bear in mind on the Writers Room it says a page lasts about 50 seconds for a non-audience sitcom and 40 for an audience-based one. So make sure you know what you're aiming for as you'll have to leave room for audience laughter.

The funnier it is, the less you have to write! Hit them with one sublime joke on the first page and you won't have to worry about the other 27 minutes

Dan

Thanks again. Do you know where I might source some radio scripts from for comparison? Not transcripts mind, the real deal.

And one more question. Any font and size prefs?