Page estimation

Skill bybren-llc/story-systems-template/.claude/skills/page-estimation

This skill provides screenplay page count and runtime estimation formulas. Covers the page-to-screen rule (1 page = 1 minute), genre adjustments, target lengths for features vs shorts, and element-based calculations. Use when: estimating screenplay length, calculating runtime, tracking page count, or validating target length for submission requirements.From its SKILL.md

Install

npx -y skills add bybren-llc/story-systems-template --skill page-estimation

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SKILL.md

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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:

| 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

## 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

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

| 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