Hello all, new and fresh here. Trying to figure out what to do next, as this is my first script.
I have written my script and am now finished with my 3rd draft. I have reached a total of 88 pages, understanding the page count should be between 110-120, I’m not sure I can add more to the script.
I really don’t feel as though I can add more dialogue without making it seem forced and unnatural, and I also don’t feel like I should add more detail to the action lines and scene setting. Is it ok to have a shorter script in actual length to give some freedom to the DP and Director or should I try and push more of my ideas and imagination so it seems like there is less freedom, especially when I feel like it is too much structure and stress.
Thank you in advance.
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If the screenplay is done at 88, it’s done. Don’t force any filler to fit a formula.
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Hi Redd,
You don’t need to hit 110-120 for a script. I just placed Gold Winner for Best Feature script at Mindfield Film Festival and Finalist in New Faces New Voices with a 94 page script. So this is fresh, real experienced intel for you.
Do another polish pass and you can find two more pages to hit 90. I’d say just hit that. I wrote my action lines like how you would see the movie on screen, kinda like a DP.
Go to my profile, log lines and then click on Ronin on the Range. You can see how bare and minimal my action lines are.
Hope this helps. And congrats on your first script!
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Hi, Redd Nuesmeyer. Welcome to the community. Stage 32 has a blog that'll help you navigate the platform and connect with creatives and industry professionals all over the world. Producers, directors, executives, writers, and more. www.stage32.com/blog/how-to-successfully-navigate-the-stage-32-platform-...
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Congratulations on writing your first script! If you feel your script should be 88 pages, that's fine. Most of my feature scripts are around 90 pages. I wouldn't add pages just to be adding pages. It could hurt the script. And some producers and directors prefer shorter scripts.
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Congratulations on placing as a Gold Winner and Finalist, Mike Schreurs!
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Congratulations! Now what I was taught is that it is okay for feature to be between 90-120 pages. so you wouldn't necessarily have to add more dialogue, just flesh out the stage direction for a scene or two, maybe lengthen a couple of sentences and bam you got 90 pages which is perfectly okay for a feature.
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Hey Redd Nuesmeyer, welcome! Congrats on reaching draft 3, that’s already a big step. Don’t worry too much about the exact page count. Plenty of produced scripts land between 85–95 pages, especially if the pacing is tight. What matters more is whether the story feels complete and the characters’ arcs pay off. Directors and DPs will always adapt details in production, so you don’t need to overstuff the script. Keep polishing what’s there and focus on clarity and flow. You’re on the right track!
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Big congratulations on reaching your 3rd draft. I would suggest let it rest, I know we writer's don't switch off, you will add if you need to, it relax now and pat yourself on the back you did amazing
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Elmare Hendricks makes a great point.
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Congrats and keep writing!! Let's go to your second script and take the lessons you learned from your first script with you.
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Congratulations on your third draft. I would suggest crafting an outline, which is usually done prior to writing the script, to see if there are areas that are in need of more.
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Get the page count to 90 or over ... easy peasy. Double check your script. Is there anything missing? Is there a scene or two that can be added to expand something or add character depth? Give it to someone, get "fresh eyes" on it. See if they can find something ...
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Thank you all so much for the feedback. I feel a ton better about the page count, should be easy to get it wrapped up for another to take a look at, just have to find someone, but I have some ideas there.
I have a second script about two thirds finished with the first draft. I have one partial outline started, and a passion project that I work on when I need to clear my mind from the other stuff, I say passion project because it might be difficult to get any of the licensing for the book it’s based on. Plus, it’s more important that I get it right rather than getting that one done.
I have been looking at paying to have someone go through the script as a professional reader to make sure all of the formatting is correct and what not, I’m just a little tight on funds at the moment.
That being said, would it be more worthwhile to wait until I have a professional reader go through it before trying to do a pitch session, or could I do the pitch session even though my script might not be perfect on the format side?
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You're welcome, Redd Nuesmeyer. I suggest waiting until you have a professional reader go through your script before doing a Pitch Session. The producer, exec, etc. you pitch to might request the script after the pitch.
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Hi Redd Nuesmeyer, I'd be willing to look over your script at a peer level. I did a lot of this through Coverfly before they closed. However, I have a very low tolerance for scripts saturated with spelling and grammatical errors. If that works for you, DM me.
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88 pages should be enough. But please notice one thing. There are two different paper sizes. So check the settings in your screenwriting software to make sure that the program uses the paper size in your country. When I translated my new script from Swedish to English, I had to change the paper size, which increased the number of pages with 10 percent.