[This](http://blog.celtx.com/celtx_blog/images/brad.png) is called a “brad” or a “brass brad.” Screenplays are traditionally presented on three-hole paper, but with only two brads: one in the top hole, and one in the bottom, as seen [here](http://www.brendanhughes.com/wp-content/uploads/script-600×450.jpg). ### More from johnaugust.com * [Of course grammar matters](http://johnaugust.com/2006/of-course-grammar-matters “Of course grammar matters”) * [How to write on the spine of […]
How many acts does a TV show have?
As of 2011, the typical hour-long drama has an open, plus six acts. This is up from just a few years ago, where the norm was four acts. Half-hour multicamera comedies typically have an open, two acts, and a tag, while single-camera half-hour comedies can have either two or three acts sandwiched between the open […]
How long is a short film?
There is no official consensus or definition for the length of a “short.” Any film shorter than 50 minutes qualifies as a short film for the Sundance Film Festival, while any film with a run-time under 40 minutes is eligible for the shorts categories at the Academy Awards. The longest of the ten movies nominated […]
What is a feature film?
A feature film (or just “feature”) is a full-length film, the kind you buy a ticket for at your local theater. The term is also used to distinguish between films that are first shown theatrically versus those made for television. A modern feature is typically between 80 and 180 minutes long, but different groups have […]
How many acts does a movie have?
A typical movie is said to have three acts, but this is not a steadfast rule. Film acts are not defined as strictly as play or TV show acts, which are set off with act breaks. The [johnaugust.com glossary](http://johnaugust.com/glossary) explains that “Since screenplays never show act breaks, an ‘act’ is really a theoretical concept. Screenwriters […]
What is the difference between a script, a screenplay, and a teleplay?
“Script” is the most general of the three terms, and is not reserved for any specific type of media. “Screenplay” specifically refers to the script of a film or television program. “Teleplay” is even more specific, and is only used when referencing television scripts. So a teleplay is a type of screenplay which is a […]