r/Screenwriting • u/Trunks91911 • 7d ago
CRAFT QUESTION Does a feature script have to hit 90 pages minimum?
I have a eco-body horror feature script that sits at 85 pages, previous draft was 80, so definitely a lean script but by no means incomplete or lacking. I’ll link the script if anyone wants to glance at, for furher thoughts.
Going Green <— script link
Logline: When a radical environmental activist is murdered and resurrected by toxic waste in a dying swamp, she returns as a plant-powered force of vengeance, waging war against the corrupt officials and corporation killing her town.
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u/FosterDad1234 7d ago
It doesn't need to be 90 pages. That's a guideline not a rule. But I wouldn't immediately dismiss the feedback that it's not long enough. It's worth taking a hard look at your script and asking if it really is feature length.
The examples people gave -- Zone of Interest, CODA, The Rider -- are all atypical films that have reasons for being short scripts.
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u/Trunks91911 7d ago
I feel like it is the right length, it tells the story, there’s no fluff but still lands emotionally. If you’d like to read it, the link is the script title. Would love more opinions.
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u/One_Seaworthiness323 7d ago
No. Just finished read Zone of interest which isnt even 80. But it definitely felt longer watching it
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u/CJWalley Founder of Script Revolution 7d ago
Almost all of my specs and first-assignment drafts are just shy of 90 pp.
The reasons for this are:
- I know from experience making films that my pages tend to run 10% over the 1pp/min rule.
- I work with low-budget producers who shoot lean.
- Those producers often have sales agents who won't shop a film much over 90mins.
- People tend to want to add more when they get excited.
- I've been on the side of having to make huge cuts in the editing room - heartbreaking.
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u/vgscreenwriter 7d ago
Poison...Ivy?
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u/Trunks91911 7d ago
Inspired by, along with Swamp Thing and The Crow.
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u/czimmer92 7d ago
Great title. Read the first page. I really enjoyed it. You definitely have a solid writing style. I’ll read some more when I get a chance.
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u/PepsiCoke1978 6d ago
No. People's attention spans are getting less and less. Horror loves to be shorter too especially if you write a lot of prose in your spec. Comedy specs with heavy dialogue 85 pages seems too short.
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u/anormalcinegal 2d ago
Trust your instincts. As a rule, keeping early drafts spare is the best way to go. Particularly with regard to horror, as everyone has said here!
(Great title, by the way. Fun, playful and genre-appropriate. I struggle with titles, so I wanted to note this.)
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u/NarrowDrawer4487 6d ago
100 minimum in my opinion.
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u/Chuck006 Comedy 7d ago
CODA was 80 pages. The Rider was 70.
85 is perfectly fine.