Page Estimation Skill
Invocation Triggers
Apply this skill when:
- •Estimating screenplay length
- •Calculating runtime
- •Tracking page count
- •Validating target length
The Page-to-Screen Rule
Standard Formula
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1 page of screenplay ≈ 1 minute of screen time
Genre Adjustments
| Genre | Adjustment | Typical Length |
|---|---|---|
| Action | 0.8-0.9 min/page | 95-115 pages |
| Comedy | 1.0 min/page | 90-110 pages |
| Drama | 1.0-1.1 min/page | 100-120 pages |
| Thriller | 0.9-1.0 min/page | 100-115 pages |
| Horror | 0.9-1.0 min/page | 85-100 pages |
| Animation | 0.7-0.8 min/page | 75-95 pages |
Why It Varies
- •Action-heavy scripts: More white space, faster pace → shorter pages
- •Dialogue-heavy scripts: Dense pages → longer runtime per page
- •Visual storytelling: Less text, more subtext → varies
Estimation Methods
Method 1: Element Count
Rough estimate based on script elements:
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Scenes: 60 scenes × 1.5 pages avg = 90 pages Adjustment for dialogue density: +10% Estimated: ~99 pages
Method 2: Word Count
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Total words: 20,000 Average screenplay: 180-200 words/page Estimated: 20,000 ÷ 190 = 105 pages
Method 3: Structural Estimate
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Act One (Setup): 25 pages Act Two (Confrontation): 55 pages Act Three (Resolution): 25 pages Total: 105 pages
Method 4: Scene-by-Scene
Most accurate:
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| Scene | Est. Pages | |-------|-----------| | 1 | 2 | | 2 | 1.5 | | 3 | 3 | | ... | ... | | Total | X |
Fountain Page Count
Title Page
- •Always counts as page 1
- •Not numbered in output
- •Adds ~1 page to total
Scene Headings
- •Each scene heading takes ~2 lines
- •55-60 lines per page standard
- •Many short scenes = more page overhead
Dialogue vs. Action
- •Dialogue: ~35-40 lines per page (narrower column)
- •Action: ~55-60 lines per page (full width)
- •Heavy dialogue = fewer scenes per page
Elements That Add Length
- •Dual dialogue (takes more vertical space)
- •Parentheticals (extra lines)
- •Transitions (blank lines before/after)
- •Page breaks (forced
===)
Target Lengths
Feature Films
| Market | Target | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | 110 | 100-120 |
| Indie | 95 | 85-110 |
| Spec | 105 | 95-115 |
| Comedy | 100 | 90-110 |
Television
| Format | Target | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Half-hour (single cam) | 30 | 25-35 |
| Half-hour (multi-cam) | 50 | 45-55 |
| One-hour drama | 55 | 50-65 |
| Limited series (episode) | 60 | 55-70 |
Short Films
| Duration | Pages |
|---|---|
| 5 min | 5 |
| 10 min | 10 |
| 15 min | 15 |
| 20 min | 20 |
Tracking Template
Page Count Log
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## Page Tracking: [TITLE] ### Current Status - **Total Pages:** [X] - **Target:** [Y] - **Variance:** [+/- Z] ### By Act | Act | Pages | Target | Status | |-----|-------|--------|--------| | One | X | 25 | [over/under/ok] | | Two | X | 55 | [over/under/ok] | | Three | X | 25 | [over/under/ok] | ### Historical | Date | Pages | Change | Note | |------|-------|--------|------| | 2025-12-20 | 85 | -- | First draft start | | 2025-12-25 | 102 | +17 | First draft complete | | 2025-12-27 | 98 | -4 | Trim pass |
Runtime Calculation
Formula
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Runtime (minutes) = Pages × Genre Factor
Calculator
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Pages: 105 Genre: Thriller (0.95) Estimated Runtime: 105 × 0.95 = 99.75 minutes Formatted: 1h 40m
By Scene
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| Scene | Pages | Runtime | |-------|-------|---------| | 1 | 2 | 2 min | | 2 | 3 | 3 min | | ... | ... | ... | | Total | 105 | 105 min |
Adjusting Length
Too Long
- •Cut scenes: Remove non-essential scenes
- •Combine scenes: Merge scenes with similar purpose
- •Trim dialogue: Reduce line count
- •Tighten action: Cut verbose descriptions
- •Enter later/leave earlier: Trim scene edges
Too Short
- •Add character moments: Deepen relationships
- •Expand key scenes: Give weight to important moments
- •Add B-story: Strengthen subplots
- •Develop obstacles: More complications
- •Add breathing room: Moments of reflection
Red Flags
- •Feature spec over 120 pages: Instant rejection risk
- •Feature spec under 90 pages: Feels slight
- •TV spec off by more than 5 pages: Format unfamiliarity
Quick Reference
Scene Page Estimates
| Scene Type | Typical Length |
|---|---|
| Short dialogue | 1/2 - 1 page |
| Standard dialogue | 2 - 3 pages |
| Action sequence | 3 - 5 pages |
| Major confrontation | 4 - 6 pages |
| Montage | 1 - 2 pages |
| Establishing | 1/4 - 1/2 page |
Structural Landmarks (110-page feature)
| Beat | Target Page |
|---|---|
| Catalyst | 10-12 |
| Break Into Two | 25 |
| Midpoint | 55 |
| All Is Lost | 75 |
| Break Into Three | 85 |
| Climax | 100-105 |
| Resolution | 105-110 |
Validation Checklist
- • Total pages within target range
- • Acts properly proportioned
- • No single act dominates
- • Pacing feels appropriate
- • Runtime estimate matches target