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

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:

Scenes: 60 scenes × 1.5 pages avg = 90 pages Adjustment for dialogue density: +10% Estimated: ~99 pages

Method 2: Word Count

Total words: 20,000 Average screenplay: 180-200 words/page Estimated: 20,000 ÷ 190 = 105 pages

Method 3: Structural Estimate

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:

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

Page Tracking: [TITLE]

Current Status

• Total Pages: [X]
• Target: [Y]
• Variance: [+/- Z]

By Act

Historical

Runtime Calculation

Formula

Runtime (minutes) = Pages × Genre Factor

Calculator

Pages: 105 Genre: Thriller (0.95) Estimated Runtime: 105 × 0.95 = 99.75 minutes Formatted: 1h 40m

By Scene

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