Twitter Rant: Justin Marks on Script Page Count

Screenwriter Justin Marks (The Jungle Book, Top Gun ) offered up a mini-Twitter rant yesterday on script page count. Reprinted here by permission:

https://twitter.com/Justin_Marks_/status/513820552034025472

The amateur in you panics. The guru is right, it’s too long, but it’s so RICH. Then the pro in you speaks up: fuck the guru it’s just right.

The lesson is simple. SOMETIMES it is too long. Sometimes too long can be just right. For right now.

Knowing when it’s too long is the pro’s job. I’ve read Scott Frank scripts that are 150+ pages, and I hit page 149 sad that it’s over.

Sometimes you have to judge for yourself, which is why I HATE HATE those writing books. Not b/c they’re wrong but b/c they diagnose broadly.

I should also add, most of the time your script is way too fucking long. And it’s a rare script of mine that goes over 109 pages.

But trust your gut and only your gut. If you’re not bored, it’s not too long yet.

So basically be brilliant! That’s when you can get away with stuff. If not, CUT. I’m going back to my little closet of self-hatred now.

You should follow Jason on Twitter: @Justin_Marks_.

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