Script - Acts

[hv213a]

If you have sold a movie script -

Just how critical is it to stay within the "normal" movie script page requirements?

Act 1 - 30 pages, Act 2 - 60 pages, Act 3 - 30 pages, (2 hour movie)

I know or read that "less is better" but haven't read where it is imperative

that Act 1 is only 30 pages long, etc.

 

Thanks, Garry

[Steve]

If you have sold a movie script -

Just how critical is it to stay within the "normal" movie script page requirements?

Act 1 - 30 pages, Act 2 - 60 pages, Act 3 - 30 pages, (2 hour movie)

I know or read that "less is better" but haven't read where it is imperative

that Act 1 is only 30 pages long, etc.

 

Thanks, Garry

 

The guidelines you listed are just that: guidelines. If it serves the story to break them, then by all means do so! A common problem when writing Act 1 is getting the central issue soon enough. Just make sure you're telling the story, not the backstory.

 

And if you've sold the script, congrats! You probably have a pile of "notes" from whoever purchased it. There a problems you want to have and problems you don't want to have. This is definitely and problem you want to have.

 

-Steve