Screenwriting : Third Act by Habou Adi Said

The approximate ratio of Act 1, 2 and 3 is 1:2:1. Therefore, an 18 page first act should be an approximately 72 page script. The bottom line is whatever works. It's a story, not a math equation.

The 80 page example means a total length of about 100 pages: 25, 50, 25.

In todays writing climate a first time screenplay writer seems to be held hostage to 120 pages or less. I do not agree with this prerequiste however, it is the trend. Casablanca was 120 pages and mainly shot in one set, "Rick's" with 7 or 8 sets in total.

As an Art Director I worked on scripts in the day, that were anywhere from 125 to 225 pages by seasoned Writer/Directors. If you are a first time writer my advise to you would be to keep your screenplay between 100 and 120 pages so that an agent can pitch it confidently. Anything over 120 pages, won't get read by studio heads. Unfortunately.

My Opus, lol, is well over 120 pages however, I have a studio and producers that I pitched it to that want to read it when I am finished. That does not give me a guarantee but gives me better odds indeed.

I have begun another screenplay that will conform to the 100 to 120 page count.

Good luck to you friend!

well if you want to write blockbuster "Hollywood" movies, I'd suggest to watch Michael Arndt's screenwriting advice on Endings.

https://vimeo.com/238637906

Thank you for your reply. Indeed I do not want to exceed the 120 pages. I am more focused on the rules. I will try to keep it less. Something varying from 92 pages to 100 pages.

Good luck to you too.

Cheers Habou!

I agree with CJ. pacing, obsticles with deception throughout the script makes for a powerful ending....My 2 cents

I read five act scripts in my career. Think outside the box, you don;t have to" paint between the lines always".....

Thank you CJ. I will think about it and you're completely right.

All my screenplays start with FADE IN and end with FADE OUT. The stories dictate what happens in between. I know I learned that the 3 acts was considered the industry standard but a standard is not a rule so do what you want. The last act is usually shorter but again that is not a rule either. Personally I only follow rules if someone is paying me to follow them.

Hey Dan, my current screenplay I use FADE IN, FADE OUT frequently because it is a period piece and adds a little nostalgia from the past. Along with SMASH CUT TO, to lead out of a scene into the next scene when visual connecting tissue is needed.

Hitchcock, David Lean and Robert Wise were masters of what our discussion on Acts and leading in and out out on scenes and Acts. Sidney Pollack is another favorite of mine....among others...

You are right Dan. And I want them to pay me so I will follow their standards.

Everything has a beginning, a middle, and an end. That’s all that matters.

Clint Eastwood was handed a 90 page script and he said “I can tell already this is the best thing I ever read”.

There are some movies with virtually no third act. Your reader shouldn’t be able to feel the act breaks. If they do it will feel formulaic. Things should just transition seamlessly.

Counter to popular opinion, this is art, not engineering.

Sequels may leave space for establishing a connection to the next film. The second act can contain so much content that the leaner third act will leave the audience wanting more.