How long to write a script
How long did it take to write GO? How long does it take to write a finished script? Do you work at an office day in, day out, or is it different?
–Floris
GO took about two years to write, but it was an unusual case in that I wrote it as a short film, then let it sit around for a long time before I did the full version. My active work time on the script was probably about four months, which is not a bad estimate for most of the things I’ve worked on.
Some things have had to go faster out of necessity. I wrote the first draft of CHARLIE’S ANGELS in three weeks, because that was all the time I had available between commitments. (I later went back and did another two months of work on it, right before production.)
Currently, I work out of an office in my home. I have an assistant who works from 9 to 6, which is what I consider my "working" hours, but truthfully my life is more like college. Sometimes you can screw around during the day, and sometimes you have to pull all-nighters to get work done.
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June 9th, 2005 at 12:47 pm
John, two questions: first, does “active writing time” include when you are developing your concept, and doing prep work/research? Second, I routinely take 18-24 mos. to finish scripts. Granted, I work full-time as a lawyer and so can only write 2 1/2 hrs each morning, but still…I think I’m just a perfectionist, a “cautious” writer who wants to methodically make sure I feel that each character and each plot twist and each scene is inspired. But I’m frustrated that I can’t execute an idea in four months and get on to my next one. Any advice? Thanks.
October 7th, 2006 at 10:24 pm
New to all this so appreciate your advice. I have had 3 ideas for a movie in which I play act in them myself but I know that wont eventuate. Is this normal :) ? I have just started to write the first script that is more advanced in my mind than the rest but now that it comes down to actual words being said they sound silly ? at times but I read where you try to keep to normal everday conversation and it does sound/seem like it to me. Do I seek help with the conversations ? or do Studios take into account that its the first draft etc ? I think my overall storyline is great its just some scenes I find hard filling in with words even though I visualise it clearly ? Thank you for any advice.
December 4th, 2006 at 7:50 pm
hi im only 15 i am writing a script ive written 45 pages i want to know how many pages does it have to be if i want to make a 90 minute movie
December 4th, 2006 at 7:53 pm
i have tried my hardesr just to writ it i wake up early in the morning about 4 am i put alot of efort into it
April 15th, 2007 at 6:20 pm
Okay so I want to write a movie i know how many pages it needs to be and stuff i just need someone to give me a example of how to write it i mean here is how i started it:
:Brooke walks to her locker and looks at her friend Phoebe:
Brooke: Hey Pheebs.
is that right
September 10th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
how many pages does it take for a 90 minute movie
October 14th, 2007 at 10:56 pm
each page should equal about one minute to if your writing a 90 min script it should be 90 pages :)
December 18th, 2007 at 8:27 pm
the one page per minute thing is a very rough outline though…
sometimes action scenes could last several minutes, but only take 10 lines to write…for example
December 22nd, 2007 at 11:44 pm
i am writing a script but i can never get any of my movies to go longer than 30 mins . PLZ HELP!!!
December 30th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
I’m writing a script and i’m young and the plot’s not so bad