Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Plot Points • Scene Description • Dramatic Tension

Page Count

Term from Screenwriting industry explained for recruiters

A Page Count refers to the length of a screenplay or script, where one page typically equals one minute of screen time. This is a fundamental concept in the entertainment industry that helps producers, directors, and other professionals quickly estimate the running time of a potential film or TV show. The standard formatting of screenplays (known as industry standard format) ensures this 1-page-to-1-minute ratio is fairly consistent. When someone mentions Page Count in their resume, they're usually referring to their ability to write scripts that meet industry length requirements - typically 90-120 pages for feature films, 30-60 pages for TV shows, or 15-40 pages for short films.

Examples in Resumes

Wrote three feature screenplays with Page Count between 95-110 pages each

Edited TV scripts to meet network Page Count requirements of 42 pages per episode

Managed Page Count and script formatting for a 6-episode limited series

Typical job title: "Screenwriters"

Also try searching for:

Script Writer Screenplay Writer TV Writer Film Writer Story Editor Script Coordinator Script Supervisor

Where to Find Screenwriters

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Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you handle page count reduction requests from producers while maintaining story integrity?

Expected Answer: A senior writer should explain their process of identifying non-essential scenes, combining characters or plotlines, and trimming dialogue while preserving the core story elements and emotional impact.

Q: How do you adapt page counts for different formats (feature film vs. streaming vs. network TV)?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of different format requirements and how to structure stories appropriately for each medium, including understanding act breaks and commercial placement needs.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What strategies do you use to meet specific page count requirements?

Expected Answer: Should explain practical approaches like outline planning, scene length estimation, and standard formatting techniques to achieve desired script lengths.

Q: How do you handle script page count issues in a writer's room setting?

Expected Answer: Should discuss collaborative approaches to script length management, including group editing sessions and balancing multiple writer inputs.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is the standard page count for different types of scripts?

Expected Answer: Should know basic industry standards: 90-120 pages for features, 22-45 pages for TV episodes (depending on format), and 5-15 pages for short films.

Q: How does proper script formatting affect page count?

Expected Answer: Should understand that industry-standard formatting ensures the page-per-minute ratio and know basic formatting rules that impact length.