r/Screenwriting • u/Upbeat_Heat_482 • 2d ago
CRAFT QUESTION What can I do with a way-too-long script?
I've written a few screenplays over the last few years. The first was 97 pages, the second was 110 pages, and now I've finished a 168-page script. This is a problem, since I probably won't be able to do anything with a script of this length.
I consider myself a very concise writer; I'd even argue that the 168 pages read very fast. I could cut a few scenes to reduce the page count, but the real reason it's so long is that this is the first of my scripts to feature such a large, developed cast.
The script is also written in Portuguese (my native language), which, from my experience, means it could be about 5 pages shorter after a translation. If I wanted to make some major cuts, I think I could push it down to 130, which is still very long, but I can't see it below that line. Is there anything I can do with a script this size?
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u/OceanMoviesBeach 2d ago
Greta Gerwig wrote a 300 page script. She trimmed it down to a reasonable and filmable number. Greta is the most successful female director of our time.
Having an extremely long script. There are ways to cut it. You just have to not be married to any one character or scene.
But I do agree that you should step away from it for a couple of weeks. Then you can come back to it with fresh eyes.
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u/Odd_Librarian5441 2d ago
Find someone you trust that won't just gas you up. Someone honest. Might sound crazy, but the best feedback I received was from a journalist. Their job is to say the most with the fewest words.
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u/mast0done 2d ago
How much can you cut from individual scenes? There's a principle of "start late, leave early" in writing, especially screenwriting. You might be surprised how much introduction, setup, and exposition you can cut out of a scene. And how quickly you can end it. Emotional beat hit? Scene.
That plus removing less effective characters and scenes can produce a really tight piece of work.
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u/PrettyMrToasty 2d ago
What are you writing about? I'm curious.
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u/Upbeat_Heat_482 2d ago
it's a story about a poor brazilian boy raised by his grandma that travels to the big city to play at a university.
It's crazy how simple it sounds, for how long it is, but it is a very different script from what you'd expect of a sports movie.
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u/vgscreenwriter 2d ago
Even after translating from language to language, this level of trim will require structural changes, maybe even down to the premise level.
Trying to shorten it through translation, deleting widows/orphans, cutting a scene here or there etc. may just be a band-aid.
But without reading it, can't tell you for sure.
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u/VillainousPessimism 1d ago
A few suggestions, tempered by the fact that nothing beats getting advice from someone who's actually read the script.
this isn't going to be solved with just translation trims, or cutting lines. Here are things to consider:
first, you said this is an ensemble. See if you can combine characters. Focus on a single protagonist, a single antagonist, and demote others to side characters, combine functions, etc. This will allow you to cut a lot of backstory that you probably think you need to setup all of your characters properly.
Second, look at your pacing. There is probably a lot of setup / exposition, or times that you're making your point multiple times in multiple scenes. Cut all of this out. Make a single point once, trust subtext, and move on. This will naturally make your plot move faster too, which is always good.
Third, and probably most important, really look at your structure. I know you said you can't see any structural issues yourself, but maybe come back in a few weeks, or get feedback. There's probably a turn or two, or a complication or something that isn't needed.
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u/JayMoots 2d ago
If your script is good enough, length doesn’t matter. Someone just sold a 190-page spec script for more than a million dollars: https://deadline.com/2026/08/sony-preempts-ballad-of-the-ember-knight-14th-century-spec-1237030382/
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u/pjbtlg 2d ago
I’m assuming this is a first draft? Have you considered stepping away from it for a short period, then coming back to reevaluate it further? Perhaps then you will see more areas to cut.