Screenwriting : Do you think you have to stop at 120 pages? by Phillip E. Hardy, "The Pro From Dover"

No.

But I’d make two 90 page scripts out of it. Lol.

I truly truly believe a story has to be as long as it has to be.

Yes... and no... but more yes. Depends, of course. Length is one of those superficial things that can and will be scrutinized before reading. It may even stop someone from reading it, period. But if you have representation, that may help. Although your agent or manager may ask you to cut that down too. Lol! ;)

Mine is currently 125. I tried to cut it back but am having difficulty. I'm wondering if page count applies to contests as well. Will they not even read it if it goes beyond the desired length?

Yes, it does apply to contests. Most accept up to 120 pages, but many contests may charge more for a higher page count over that amount. Higher page count equals more time. Simple as that.

Just read over a specific contest’s rules. Some will automatically reject a submission if they are not followed. For example, some require no names or contact information on the title page—or on any page. If those are there, your script will be immediately rejected. Period. They’re dealing with thousands of scripts, they have to have a system in place and restrictions.

My first screenplay is 107 pages. My current is at 80. But needs finessing. it will probably be between 90-100 pgs

My longest script is my screenplay about JD Salinger, which has placed and won at multiple film festivals and contests. It's 127 pages. I've trimmed a lot out of the original drafts of the screenplay. However, I believe every current scene does add value. Normally, I'm a believer is limiting myself to 110 pages. I do occasionally exceed that amount. But not by much.

My first screenplay was barely 80 pages, though that was mainly from an abrupt third act. In my experience, people are wary of long screenplays because they are a sign of a movie that has been micro-managed by the writer and stuffed with unnecessary detail. A leaner screenplay shows only what is necessary to the core of the film and leaves room for fellow collaborators to provide input. Longer movies are also more expensive to produce, so there's that.

In general, it's recommended by many industry pro's to stay under 100 pages for new writers who are trying to break into the business. 90 pages seems to be the "sweet spot", since most films aim for the 90-minute mark, and especially the non-theatrical release films that go STS/STV. I try to stay around 90 pages, too, since most of my stories are geared to indie producers who mostly work in the STS/STV markets.

On the other hand, here are the run times/final shooting script lengths for some recent theatrical release films/scripts that I love.

Colette - 112 minutes/123 pages.

Deadpool - 109 minutes/118 pages

The Kids are All Right -107 minutes/102 pages

Get Out -104 minutes/99 pages

Hell or High Water -102 minutes/114 pages.

Best fortunes in your creative endeavors, Phillip!

Beth I should have read the contest rules before posting that! haha. Thanks!

While driving into Ann Arbor this morning, I was wondering whether David Lean would get crap for turning in his director's script for Lawrence of Arabia - today, an intermission???

Yes, some scripts in earlier times were written without predetermination (length, subject, epic, historical ) It's sorta like when I asked the professor in Seminary School..."Why did GOD give us free will and also know what decisions we would make before it even happens? Yes, a longer script format could be created for writers brave enough to address new standards... once they are implemented.

90 to 105

The script for 'Juno' came in at way, way more than 120 pages but the revised production yellow script was trimmed to 101 pages. Mostly by omitting irrelevant scenes. On page 91 there are eight omitted scenes numbered from 95A to 100D - except #100.

Dan, I fully understand that particular situation - very well.

My longest script is my first which ended up being 136 pages. I was originally aiming for 100 but I just got caught up in the story and things were flowing. Call it a newbie being unable to range the length off the point the story has reached. But I am currently editing and revising it so I'm aiming to get it to about 110. And it's learning process. I'm working on my second and I have a better gauge now when writing.

@Dan, Diablo was an expirenced writer. Her work was great. So 120 pages wasn’t an issue. Kill Bill was one huge film that they cut into two smaller movie.

Everyone is going to say “when you’re Tarantino you can.....”. But great writing will always be read. A reader is paid to read. If the first page is great. Then the second page gets read and so on. At the end of that process the reader will write a recommendation. Hopefully “It’s too long, but brilliant.”

There's no doubt than if an industry reader is still reading beyond 120 pages, then that's a great (and rare) sign. But as someone who has read more scripts in a professional capacity than he cares to think about, I can honestly say I have never read a script with a page count of >120 that didn't clearly need or benefit from trimming.

Over the years on S32 in most threads that ask or talk about page count, Tarantino or Cody or Sorkin come up as examples of scripts with long page counts. But what is often sidestepped is the situation and circumstances of those writers and their projects. They really are not a comparison for most of us here because they did not go through readers. Tarantino writes and directs his own work. Cody was discovered online because of her blog and articles, and after writing her book she was asked by Mason Novick to write Juno. Sorkin made connections through playwriting. He sold the film rights to his play A Few Good Men and then was contracted by Castle Rock, which started his career in screenwriting. For many people here who are unknown and have no representation, when you submit a screenplay your script is put into a pile of thousands (literally and/or digitally) of submissions and those first level readers are a fickle and picky bunch, hard to get past. High page count is one of those superficial “tells” that readers have formed opinions about. So as with all things screenwriting make sure those first pages and every page of your screenplay are extraordinary. ;)

Phil Clarke I think you have made a perfect point. Great is rare. But great sells. That is the only measure which guarantees a sale or production.

Ended up with my fantasy script on page 121. RomCom will be around 100-120 pages.

tEvelyn von Warnitz In wrestling, if you're a pound over, you don't compete in your weight-class. Consider dropping that 121 pager to 120. It'll make a world of difference... perception-wise.

Agree with Dan G. Nothing "guarantees" a script sale. The professional standard for writing is "best of the best of the best." I've read great scripts from established writers that haven't sold - great is not as rare as you think. Maybe in Amateur Land, but not in Professional Land.

The only things that "guarantee" a production is having the funding/means to produce it, and then producing it; producing something on your own with no money but the means; or producing something that is self-funded. But nothing "guarantees" the sale of a script, no matter how great it is.