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U13774921

Listed below are comments made by U13774921 between Friday, 9th January 2009 and Monday, 12th January 2009.

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Writers Academy 1 4:17pm on 12 Jan 2009 @ Piers,

Thanks for the reply - that's good to know. This isn't my first screenplay by any means (just my first 160 page one!) and I'm well aware a lot of people wouldn't even open a script this long. I reckon I can still trim a few pages off but it's never going to hit 120...

Two great links, too. Thanks :)
Writers Academy 1 9:19pm on 09 Jan 2009 Thanks for your comment, theguineapigisking,

I'm very much aware that common opinion says I need to be more brutal, but I just don't think I can do it. I've already streamlined it quite a lot - I don't think it can take anymore. And the BBC seem rather more vague (therefore more lenient, perhaps?) in their submission guidelines, which is why I thought I'd ask the question and not consign this project to the bin just yet.

We all know there are plenty of films out there longer than 120 minutes (and longer than 160, even). I know, I know; if you're Peter Jackson or James Cameron you can do whatever you want, right? But if a screenplay really is spectacular, surely it doesn't deserve to be binned because it's longer than average?

This screenplay is rather... alternative... and written to a concept which dictates its structure somewhat - which adds to my problems. That structure is essentially part of the story - take it away and there's no point anymore.
Anyway, I think it's wonderful (don't we all?) and I can't convince myself otherwise. What I really need is a couple of good beta readers to tell me whether or not I'm kidding myself, but I haven't found them yet. Until I do, I guess I'll just have to try to keep chipping away...
Writers Academy 1 6:42pm on 09 Jan 2009 I have a question I'm itching to ask, but I'm not sure it's for you, Ceri, or one of the writersroom readers who contributes...

My current screenplay is loooong - I'm talking around 160 pages. I've chopped and scrimped and scraped and done all the checks you're supposed to - overwriting, overdescribing, unneeded parentheticals, entering scenes too early and leaving them too late, smalltalk... There's just nothing else I can cut out and still keep the story intact.

So my question is will a script of this length be given a fair chance in the writersroom, or do you stick to a 120 page limit? (Of course, my screenplay is fantastically original, highly entertaining and perfectly executed ;D )

OR
Does anyone have any tips or suggestions for shortening a screenplay that I might not have thought of? :(

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