I just finished writing my first screenplay. I'm very happy with the story line, I think it flows pretty well. But the problem is that my script is only 56 pages long. I could probably go back and fool around with some dialogue to extend the script but I'm a little hesitant at editing the script. I like it the way it is. So how long does a script have to be? Plus, can somebody just explain to me the whole - "one page equals one minute" rule.

One last question - If I did keep my script at 56 pages, is there anything out there like a short film contest or something like that?

Hi Boxman.

Feature scripts are ideally between 90 pages and 120. They can be as many as 180 pages (a three-hour movie), but beyond that you're getting into miniseries territory. Generally, feature screenwriters aim for 100 to 110 pages.

A 56-page script would be considered a long short. There are ample opportunities for short film scripts, especially with the HD revolution. But the longer your short, the fewer the opportunities. A lot of short filmmakers like to shoot under ten minutes. Obviously you're not going to cut yours down that far, but I would strongly recommend trimming it as much as possible. If you can get it down to 45 pages, beautiful. You'll find a much more receptive audience for it than you would with 56. It's not as hard as you might think. I wrote a 24-page short and kept getting advice to trim it to 15 pages. I was very reluctant to do it because I thought every page was indispensable but after a week-long rewrite, I got it down to 16 pages. And the story really hummed. I shot the 16 page short 2 years ago. It's a 16 minute movie.

The "one page equals one minute" rule isn't too complicated. That's just the way it is. Script format was probably developed (in the 1920s maybe?) with the aim of making one page equal one minute.

If you write a page of all action, that page will probably constitute three minutes on the screen. Conversely, if you write a page of all dialogue, that page could fly by in 30 seconds of screen time. But since scripts are made of both action and dialogue, it all balances out.

What Edsas said.

Though "fooling around" with your story is possible, here's some things to think about on the next script:

A couple of places where problems pop up are in "action" and in act 2.

Often a short script is mostly dialogue, with the characters not really doing anything other than talking. In movies, people *do things* and much of the story is told through their actions. As edsas says - a dialogue page may take less than a minute, and actions page may take more than a page, but it all balances out. Your script is going to be a mix of action and dialogue - not just all dialogue.

Act 2 is another element that leads to short scripts. Act 1 established the conflict, act 2 is the conflict and escalation of the conflict, and act 3 resolves the conflict. Act 2 is the struggle - and often there is no struggle in a short script. There's a problem, and the problem is solved. No struggle!

So those are a couple of things to consider on the next script.

- Bill

I have written many shorts but it is harder to cut down a long story that to extend a short. You should look for those scenes that do not much more than make things clear about the characters.

A short has flat characters. A flat character is an almost one dimensional person and not with much hidden feelings and so on.

Avoid at any circumstance "talking heads" two people talking not doing anything. Lots of people can talk about one thing doing another.

Keep dialogue sharp and don't use any small talk. You have only got a few minutes use them wisely.

Stick to the story and don't get off with sidelines and flashbacks.

Use only the characters you can introduce in the first three pages.

This is the advice I can give you and believe me I made all those mistakes before.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mr Wendal,