Screenwriting : First 10 pages of a script… plus 1? by Alana Gerdes

For continuity's sake I'd include page 11, Alana Gerdes. I feel that the "first 10" format is to ensure that the story does what it's suppose to do: engage the reader with setting, tone, and the protagonist's intro to name a few elements. If the reader feels they've read enough they can always skip page 11.

Thanks Ty Strange. I agree, would be weird to cut off in the middle of a scene just to hit the 10-page mark.

Add page 11. Complete the scene.

Perform slight edits to bring the antagonist in pre-ten.

Ten means ten.

E Langley The antagonist enters the script at the end of page 9. Her scene is 1.5 pages long, hence it spans to page 11.

Then slight edits prior will easily pull the scene up by a half page.

Good question. I would go to the end of that scene, regardless of what page it ends on.

What If it's 12, 13 or more. It could work against a writer categorized as unable to follow simple instructions. A reader is chartered to read the first ten and they might stop there anyway.

I'd only send 10 pages, Alana Gerdes. "page 10 is in the middle of a scene where the antagonist gets introduced" could make the reader want to read more and request page 11/the rest of the script.

Good point, MV.

I recently helped a writer friend who fretted over exactly the same issue. They edited so the Inciting Incident turned on the bottom of ten instead of the bottom of 11. They got a request for the entire script and sold it.

Thanks, E Langley. I've done what you suggested before (edit the script so a moment on page 11 lands on page 10). I opened the first 11 pages in a new file, then edited them until I got to 10. Congratulations to the writer!!!

You‘ve all got great points! I noticed that while the end of page 10 is still in the middle of the scene, it has a very strong and intriguing dialogue line at the bottom of the page, which can certainly act as a hook for the reader to want to see more.

Next question: Would you put an end of act note, i.e. something like to be continued l, at the end of page 10 or just leave it with a hard cut-off?

And then of course if you‘d keep a title page (being aware that it doesn‘t count to the 10-page limit) with the usual info and something like first 10 pages underneath the script title?

I wouldn't put an end of act note at the end of page 10, Alana Gerdes. I'd just leave it with a hard cut-off.

"And then of course if you‘d keep a title page (being aware that it doesn‘t count to the 10-page limit) with the usual info and something like first 10 pages underneath the script title?" I do that:

TITLE

FIRST 10 PAGES

Written by

Maurice Vaughan

Contact info

Maurice Vaughan Thanks for the advice, appreciate your help as always!

You're welcome, Alana Gerdes.

You can try my favorite solution to this dilemma: "I can do even better than send the first ten pages. I can send the entire script file so you can read whichever page(s) you prefer and have time for." This usually does the trick. If they insist or require just the first ten pages for a variety of reasons, send the first ten. If it stops at a juicy moment, all the better to entice them to want the rest in follow up with you. Having said that, every page and every scene and every line should beckon the reader to want to keep going.

SS this week posted a producer's request for the first five to ten pages and for a similar reason I submitted eleven.

Hey Alana Gerdes! Great question! When it comes to things like the First 10 Page Review here on Stage 32, you submit your full script and the reader will stop at 10 pages or keep reading if they're enjoying themselves. So there is something to what Dustin Lee recommends above! Outside of this situation, personally, I would actually cut off the story BEFORE that scene. I agree with E. Langley that "10 means 10". Unless your antagonist is introduced in some incredibly epic way that really grabs the reader from the outset, I wouldn't add an extra page to fit it in. But if they DO enter the story with a bang, then I would do what E. Langley suggests and make edits so that the whole scene fits within the first 10 pages.

For the formatting questions - I would just do a regular title page and then save the file as the title, your name, and "first ten" so they know.

If you want to discuss this more or are thinking about doing a First 10 Page Review, feel free to shoot me an email at success@stage32.com :)

Here's my quick take on this: Nothing is set in stone. But, from what I've gathered since I started screenwriting last year, 95% of the producers and the script consultants will look and ONLY look at the first ten pages of your script. If they're not hooked, you got a problem.

Nevertheless, there are script consultants that are willing to read your entire script for a price. Check out the Script Coverage service on here. You will have your money's worth, I promise you that.

Thanks all. It‘s actually not for consultation or coverage but for a producer who is interested in having a first look. Guess I‘ll stop at 10 then on the strong line as I won‘t be able to fit the scene so it is fully included on the tenth page (would be way to many long paragraphs otherwise, and I have a rather „breezy“ writing style which I‘d like to keep throughout the whole script).

This is a great discussion and it's awesome to see all of the support and advice from the community. I think you'd landed at a good place, Alana. Send the first 10 pages with what sounds like an intriguing hard stop and let them know in your email/note that the full script is available upon request. And if you haven't already, I would consider registering the script with the Writers' Guild online at WGA.org and include your registration # on t he cover page above your contact info (the cover page, which has been astutely pointed out, does not count as one of the 10 pages). It sends a little message to a producer that you're protected and always gives a script a bit more weight. Wishing huge luck with this submission!

Thanks, Sam! All my scripts are registered at the WGA, so I will do that.

I agree with the hard stop at the first ten pages...make them want to read on!

Yes, I agree with the hard stop people.

As a publisher I do not accept unsolicited manuscripts but occasionally hold "open request for submissions of your first 5.000 (or 10,000) words" for novels. I do not care if they send 4,588 or 5.320. What I do not want is 115,000 words of mixed metaphors.

If you cannot capture the beta reader's attention in 5,000 words, the book isn't going anywhere. Sometimes the story will gleam through and you know the author needs help but the story is worth the effort. In other situations you want to pull your eyes out while cursing your first grade teacher.

Not everyone who thinks they can write necessarily has something to write. 10 pages is a guideline. If the reader like where it is going they will not notice they are on page 11; but if you send two dozen pages... well, you are more than pushing, you are deliberately not following guidelines.

Best to pay attention to detail and do what is asked. Otherwise, it's a bit of a red flag.

Also, per Sam's reply, WGA registry is fine, but a US Copyright is a must/much more important.