Just how long should a media manuscript be? The answer to that question is established by the purpose of the final script. You have to know your market. There are two types of media manuscripts—news oriented and script oriented. You calculate media manuscript lengths differently for each type.
Here are the most common media manuscript lengths.
TV Script Manuscript Length
If you have dreams of seeing your work on television, then you might think you need to know how many words you need to fill either a 1/2 hour time slot or a one hour time slot. This isn’t vital information. It is impossible to establish an exact word length. Here’s why:
When I took script writing, I was taught to use a page per minute as a guide. So if you are writing a TV script for a sitcom, plan on 30 pages. This includes far more than mere dialog.
- The script includes descriptions of the actions characters are supposed to take to further the story line.
- The script includes background setting up the scene.
So what do you really need to know? You need to develop a sense of timing. How long does the dialogue take? How long does the action take? And how effectively can you set up the scenes?
When you have accomplished these tasks, you may be facing a manuscript that is anywhere from 25 to 40 pages double-spaced for a 1/2 hour TV slot or 55 to 70 pages double-spaced for a one hour TV slot.
If you are writing for the TV news room, expect 45 words to fill 20 seconds of space.
Movie Manuscript Length
There is little difference between a movie and TV manuscript, except that a movie manuscript will be longer. The goal is to fit a 90 to 120 minute time slot depending on whether the movie is for TV or theater. The same considerations for TV manuscripts apply.
Because movies are longer, the one page per minute rule is pretty accurate. If your manuscript exceeds this length, you have a much harder time selling your manuscript. In short, it isn’t word count that matters as much with movie scripts; It’s the number of double-spaced pages.
Play Manuscript Length
The primary difference between a play and TV script is in the way scenes are divided. A play has acts, while a TV script doesn’t. A one-act play needs to be long enough to fill 20 to 30 minutes of time. A three-act play would be written to run a total of 90 to 120 minutes. Use the same guidelines that apply to a movie script.
Radio Manuscript Length
Even if you were writing a radio play, you should apply the following rule to any radio manuscript. Whether you are writing a public service announcement or straight radio copy, expect 45 words to fill 20 seconds of space. That means 135 words will fill a 60 second slot. This is assuming that the person reading the copy has excellent diction skills and can read a little faster than the average person.
Public Speech Manuscript Length
It’s very important for any public speaker to speak slowly so the full impact of what he or she has to say is conveyed. For this reason, aim for 125 words for every minute of time the speaker has been allotted. A 10 minute speech should be around 1250 words. A 5 minute speech would be half this.
Press Release Manuscript Length
Length is very important for one main reason. You are sending your press release out to very busy people. They want to get to the point fast.
Keep your press releases between 300 to 500 words, and take the time to write them carefully. I’ve included a whole section on writing press releases in my book, Freelance Writing for the 21st Century.
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