Whether you like it or not, most production company readers frown on receiving scripts that exceed a two-hour or 120 page limit. I had several older scripts that exceeded that limit by anywhere from 4 to 15 pages and I found a way to trim them all to 120 pages or less. I did it by identifying the least critical scenes in the stories. All the scenes I trimmed were perfectly good scenes but I wanted to get to 120 or below. My most recent features have been averaging between 96 to 105 pages but I do go over that occasionally.
Do you respect the 120 limit or does that inhibit or insult your creativity? Do you think overly long feature screenplays demonstrate a lack of experience?
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We just heard from Lindsay Schwartz in the Writer's Room, she worked on The Quiet Place, which had a 60-page script. Food for thought.
Karen:
I haven't seen the film but I understand it's very good.
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Are you asking me as a writer or a reader? When teaching screenwriting - I suggest that students aim for 100 pages; knowing full well that it's only a suggestion. As a reader, I look for a complete story, regardless of 'page count'. But I'm aware that each page costs production dollars so there are economic limitations that come into play. As a writer, I pay close attention to my story's rhythm and flow with an eye toward capturing the audience's interest/attention. Having said that; I'v read scripts that bore me to tears within a few pages (most of 'em). Very few hold my attention all the way to page 100 but there are a few stunning exceptions. Page count has no real impact on my creativity.
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Only if I can make sufficient cuts and compromises. If my script requires the length of a Michael Mann or Sergio Leone epic to tell its story, then so be it.
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Phillip, I try my level best to reach "FADE OUT" by Page 119...but I'll be happy with a story of mine if I can tell it in, at the most, 129 pages (not including the title page).
Jim: I've written as many as 135 pages. After a few rewrites, I have trimmed this western screenplay down to 119 pages.
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If you can keep your script under 110 pages, that is awesome. Horror, try to keep it at 90.
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Mine usually end up between 95 and 105. Once in a great while I'll reach near 110 but that pretty rare.
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If I write story aimed to UK/US market, I (try to) respect page count, if writing domestically I don't.
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Lawrence Kasdan said in many interviews that American (Hollywood) screenplays have shrunk from 120 to 110 pgs. I checked Star Wars:TFW and the script is exactly 110 pgs.
Also, Action-Godfather screenwriter Steven E De Souza told me studio action scripts are between 101 to 105 pages.
Sure, there are unicorn scripts & screenwriter-autuers who write to whatever page length but two screenwriters with a combined 100+ years experience are telling us from inside.
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I have never come across a client's 120+ page script I couldn't easily bring down to a more respectful and presentable 90-110. More often than not, a 120+ page script tends to be down to verbose scene description or poor scene layout.
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I fall between 90-110.
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Phil Clarke:
I agree. It boils down to evaluating every scene in terms of what it contributes to the story. The ones that add the least amount of value become more obvious with time. Those are the ones I trim.
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Come in late, leave early is a big part of keeping the length short and the pacing tight. Obviously eliminate any 'fat' by cutting extraneous scenes. Make each scene count. They should advance the plot AND illuminate character if at all possible. Search and destroy any 'orphan' words or phrases that run onto a new line.
Create space on the page - to give the reader breathing room.
And never ever fuck with the margins.
I aim for 100 pages - give or take 3... depending on genre. Sure, I'll run long on a first draft - but then comes the cutting. See above.
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Depending on your style. Sorkin says due to his scripts being so dialogue heavy he comes in around 130 pages. I am 100 page person. I don’t aim for that. I just normally end up there or less.
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If an overburdened script reader/producer/manager's first emotion is 'relief' that your script is less than 110-115 pages, then you've put them in the right frame of mind from the get-go. :)
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Phil Parker Brian Helgeland said he handed Clint Eastwood a 90 page script. Clint look at how thin it was and said “I can already tell this is the best script I’ve ever read”.