• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Screenwriting.io

Screenwriting.io

Answering basic questions about screenwriting.

  • Answers
  • About
  • Ask
  • Index
Generic filters
Exact matches only

How long should it take to write a screenplay?

Tagged: business, film, producers, screenplay, screenwriting, script, scriptwriting, TV, writing

There is no set length of time it should take to write a screenplay, but professional screenwriters are often given deadlines they have to meet, so being able to write quickly and efficiently is certainly an asset.

Feature deals usually allow for a 12-week writing period for the first draft, but the deadline is often flexible. TV writers are often asked to turn around an episode in less than a week.

In a [2008 blog post](http://johnaugust.com/2008/how-long-should-it-take-to-write-a-script), John August says this:

>I’m hesitant to give a firm number for how many weeks it should take to write a script. Every project is different. […] [T]he better question to ask: How quickly should a professional screenwriter be able to turn around a script, given some urgency? In my experience, the most successful screenwriters are the ones who are able to accurately estimate how much time they’ll need. […] For feature films, I’d be reluctant to hire a writer who couldn’t deliver a script in eight weeks.

### More from johnaugust.com
* [How long should it take to write a script?](http://johnaugust.com/2008/how-long-should-it-take-to-write-a-script “How long should it take to write a script?”)
* [How long to write a script?](http://johnaugust.com/2003/how-long-to-write-a-script “How long to write a script?”)
* [Process of writing](http://johnaugust.com/2003/process-of-writing “Process of writing”)
* [Finding time to write](http://johnaugust.com/2003/finding-time-to-write “Finding time to write”)

Answer Index

script scriptwriting screenplay screenwriting formatting terms film structure presentation business writing software TV WGA Final Draft characters length guild credits FDX FDR union scene headings dramatic theory outlines adaptations arbitration pdf highland fountain producers guru managers Celtx Movie Magic rights pitching awards agents short film iPad iPhone festival directors musical

Primary Sidebar

Switching from Final Draft to Highland 2

Switching from Final Draft
to Highland 2 – Get the PDF

© 2023 Screenwriting.io — All Rights Reserved.

  • Answers
  • About
  • Ask
  • Index