Golden Age of Television Writing Competition

US broadcast uses 30 page scripts for single cam sitcoms, and 45 or so pages for multicam sitcoms.
Hour drama script run from 55 to 70 pages, about 60 is common.

If you’re going by the page a minute rule, it doesn’t apply precisely to US TV. A 23 minutes to the half hour sitcom like Scrubs has a 30-32 page script. A 45 minutes to the hour show like CSI Miami has a 60page script.

Typical format for spec scripts:

  • Formatted like screenplays and similar to the one hour drama.
  • May or may not have formal act breaks written on the page (this depends on whether or not the show has commercial breaks. “Curb Your Enthusiasm,: and “Sex and the City” are on HBO, therefore they have no commercial breaks and read straight through. “The Simpson’s,” however, has three defined acts.
  • Dialogue and stage direction are single-spaced.
  • The characters are described in ALL CAPS the first time they are introduced.
  • Scripts are generally 28-32 pages in length.

Typical format for one hour shows.

  • One-hour shows are formatted like features, except for the act breaks. You begin and end them as you would a sitcom, however there are no scene breaks. Each page equals about a minute of screen time and script lengths usually fall between 53-60 pages. There are some, however, such as West Wing, which can be as long as 66 pages. Again, you must know your show. The best advice is to read the teleplays and copy the format precisely,
  • Typically, a one-hour drama consists of a teaser and 4 acts. There are some, like Enterprise, that have a teaser and 5 acts and still others that are only 4 acts, like Alias. Again, a good reason to study scripts for the show you wish to write for.
  • Acts are designated numerically, usually written out and centered at the top of the page. Placing “End Act One” or “End Act 1″ creates act breaks. This is centered and double-spaced beneath the last piece of narrative or dialogue. FADE or CUT may be used to end a scene, but it isn’t necessary. A simple scene slug line will do nicely instead. Begin each new act of a fresh page.
  • The act break is where the script reaches a strong dramatic moment. That’s where the station typically inserts commercials. The big question here is whether or not the story moment is strong enough to break your audience back.
  • Scripts are generally 59 to 66 pages.

The Cover Page should indicate the name of the show, episode title, and the writer’s name.

Silver Screenwriting Competition

Shorts
Synopses

General Rules

  • Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
  • Screenplays must:
    • be written in English
    • be an original feature script
    • can be any length, but you should normally aim for between 90 and 120 pages in length.
    • have numbered pages
    • be in standard format
  • Any genre is accepted.
  • Multiple submissions are accepted as long as each is accompanied with an application and the entry fee.
  • Only one copy, draft or version of any single screenplay may be submitted by any entrant or entrants. Under no circumstances will substitutions of either corrected pages or new drafts of the entry screenplays be allowed.
  • Collaborative work undertaken by two writers is eligible. Collaborative work by three or more writers is not eligible. All prizes will be split 50-50 by collaborators.
  • Entering the competition constitutes permission to use finalists’ names and likeness for publicity and promotions with no additional compensation. We reserve the right to publicize and promote any and all progress, development and success of the entered scripts.
  • Partners, affiliated members and employees of The Script Department and their immediate families are ineligible, as are competition judges and their immediate families.
  • No applicant may have earned money or other consideration as a screenwriter for theatrical films or television, or for the sale of, or sale of an option to, any original story, treatment, screenplay or teleplay for more than $8,000. Applicants may not have received a screenwriting fellowship or prize which includes a “first look” clause, an option or any other quid pro quo involving the writer’s work. The date for the purposes of this clause shall be the announcement of the Grand Prize Winner – September 15th.
  • Adaptations of previously written work are not acceptable. The only exception is when the writer has adapted his/her own unpublished work. Material adapted from a previously published source to which the author has secured the rights, such as a novel, short story, or play, is ineligible.
  • The judges’ decisions are final. The Silver Screenwriting Competition reserves the right to substitute prizes for other prizes of equal monetary value. Scripts may be disqualified for not adhering to the rules and requirements. No refund will be issued for disqualified scripts.
  • In an effort to make a contribution toward a better environment, the Silver Screenplay Competition is a paperless contest. We only accept scripts and payments electronically. Do not mail scripts or payments.
  • All monetary prizes will be paid in US dollars. The domestic airfare portion of the travel to Los Angeles for the Grand Prize winner is limited to $500 and will only be awarded if the winner lives more than 200 miles outside Los Angeles. International airfare has a $750 limit. The Grand Prize winner must work within the schedule and time constraints of the special guests and managers donating their time.
  • All participants will be automatically registered for The Script Department’s Newsletter. Clear instructions on how to unsubscribe are available for those who prefer not to receive it.