Hi ladies and gentlemen, hope everyone is doing well.
So, I recently completed a pilot rough screenplay, but the plan was to have it run for 50 to 60 minutes but I only have 34 pages. The scenes feel like they'll make it to the 50-to-60-minute mark. Can a screenplay with 34 pages make the minute mark I plan for? Or should I make 60 pages?
Thank you for your time and hope it's not a dumb question. I couldn't find this answer anywhere.
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Hey Austin! I don't know what the best solution in your case would be, but in my class we saw the first draft of a pilot that came out a month ago and it was 56 pages long; however, the final shooting draft is only 37 pages long. So my suggestion is to write as much as you can, add details and much else to get as close as possible to 55 pages (more or less) for the first draft, 'cause it will definitely not be a problem if the final shooting draft is only 30 pages long. :)
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Alright, thank you very much. That's very helpful info. I didn't think of the many drafts and rewrites a show has. Much appreciated Mr. Mannea.
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Hey, Austin Van Rensburg. It's not a dumb question. I don't think 34 pages will work, but 48-50 pages could work. That's because an hour show has commercial breaks (unless you're writing for a streamer or HBO) that will fill up the rest of the time.
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I would recommend getting the page count somewhere in the 50s if you're trying to sell this. From the exec/producer's point of view, if they open the pdf and see the page count is that low it will automatically raise questions.
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Hi Austin, 34 pages is not enough. Luca and Nick is correct. 50 to 60 pages will do.
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No, it will not work. you need to get it to at LEAST 48-50 pgs to be a one hour. if an exec gets a 34 pg script, its a 30 min show. the question is -- Why NOT just write a 30 min tv show??
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I will act on the valuable advice. Thank you very much everyone.
Danny Manus, the show is a bit involved and needs a longer run time for the lengthy story, as it alters from past to present.
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What I do when in doubt about how long one of my stories is, is copy and paste it in Grammarly and click on overall score and it will give me a read time and speaking time of how long the story is.
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I would google research tv pilot scripts similar to your idea and read how the writers did it on the page.
right now, it is just a writing sample and the concept must wow strangers from first sentence.
You're welcome, Austin.
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Hi Austin Interesting I too have a Crime pilot. 46 pages. I hate to just throw in a few pages ,unless I can make it seamless somehow. Good luck, Jed.
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awesome @Jed, what's your about? Not the full just the logline?
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To clear himself of a bogus murder charge an oceanfront bar owner, recovering from addiction and self-inflicted personal loses, must join forces with a group of zany barflies who are battling the same drug money laundering developers who framed him and are intent on turning their beloved Ocean Boulevard into an exorbitant, high-rise condo infested yuppie Ville. An adaptation of the 1st novel,"The Boss of Hampton Beach" in my 8-book Dan Marlowe/ Hampton Beach, NH Crime Series. What is your log line? Best, Jed.
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@Austin - i would argue that if your script is only 36 pages, then its not as involved or complex as you think. if it needed more length, it would be longer.
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@Manus I definitely agree and see your point, but my first draft was purposely condensed because I for some reason believed 34 pages could stretch to 60 minutes. I'm also happy to say that I have transformed my Pilot into 57 pages.
Thanks again for all the advice everyone. Stay safe and well.