# Feature Film — Format

> Full-length narrative film. 75-180 min. Theatrical or streaming distribution.

## Format basics

- Length: 75-180 min (sweet spot 95-130 min)
- Page count: 90-130 (1 page ≈ 1 min)
- Self-contained narrative
- Multiple subplots
- Full character arcs
- Theatrical or streaming distribution

## Structure (Save the Cat / Hollywood standard)

```
PAGE  ACT  BEAT
1     1    Opening Image (mood, theme suggested)
1-5   1    Setup (status quo, character flaw)
5     1    Theme stated (often by minor character)
10    1    Catalyst (inciting incident)
12-15 1    Debate (will protagonist accept?)
20-25 1    Break into Act 2 (commits to journey)

25-30 2A   B Story (subplot/love story begins)
30-55 2A   Fun and Games (promise of premise)
55    2    Midpoint (false victory or false defeat)

55-75 2B   Bad Guys Close In (rising obstacles)
75    2B   All Is Lost (lowest point)
75-85 2B   Dark Night of Soul

85    3    Break into Act 3
85-110 3   Finale (5 finale points)
110   3    Final Image (echo of opening)
```

## Save the Cat 5-finale points

1. Gathering the team
2. Executing the plan
3. High tower surprise (twist)
4. Dig deep down
5. Execution of new plan

## Key principles

### Multiple subplots
Feature length supports:
- A story (main plot)
- B story (often love or thematic)
- C story (subplot for support)

All connect at climax.

### Character development across runtime
- Establish flaw early
- Test it through middle
- Force change at crisis
- Demonstrate change at end

### Theme woven, not stated
Theme emerges from:
- Character choices
- Repeated motifs
- Visual symbols
- Final image

### Pacing varies by genre
- Action: faster, set pieces every 15-20 min
- Drama: slower, character-driven
- Comedy: joke density
- Horror: tension cycles

## Genre-specific runtime

| Genre | Typical |
|-------|---------|
| Action | 100-130 min |
| Comedy | 90-100 min |
| Drama | 95-130 min |
| Horror | 85-110 min |
| Thriller | 95-120 min |
| Sci-fi/Fantasy | 110-160 min |
| Romance | 90-110 min |
| Epic / War | 130-180 min |
| Animated | 80-100 min |

## Sample feature beat sheet (110 min)

```
0:00    OPENING IMAGE
        Establish theme visually
        World introduced

0:01-05 SETUP
        Protagonist in normal life
        Flaw demonstrated

0:05    THEME STATED
        Often by minor character
        Audience hears it, protagonist doesn't (yet)

0:10    CATALYST
        Disrupting event
        Call to adventure

0:12-15 DEBATE
        Should they accept?
        Cost considered

0:25    BREAK INTO 2
        Commit to journey
        New world entered

0:25-30 B STORY
        Subplot begins
        Often love interest or mentor

0:30-55 FUN AND GAMES
        Promise of premise delivered
        Trailer moments
        Audience entertained

0:55    MIDPOINT
        Major reversal
        False victory OR false defeat
        Stakes raised

0:55-75 BAD GUYS CLOSE IN
        Antagonist gains
        Subplots threaten
        Internal doubts

1:15    ALL IS LOST
        Lowest point
        Mentor death often
        Whiff of death

1:15-25 DARK NIGHT OF SOUL
        Wallow / plan
        Realize change needed

1:25    BREAK INTO 3
        New plan
        Transformed protagonist

1:25-50 FINALE
        Gather team
        Execute plan
        Twist
        Dig deep
        Triumph (or tragic fall)

1:50    FINAL IMAGE
        Echo opening
        Show transformation
```

## Sample feature concept

```
TITLE: "Bakı Sahili" (Baku Coast)
GENRE: Drama
LENGTH: 105 minutes
LOGLINE: A widowed fisherman in Baku must teach his estranged
adult son the family trade before selling their boat to pay for
his wife's medical debts.

OPENING IMAGE: Empty boat at dawn, gentle waves. The Caspian Sea.

SETUP: ASIF (62) lives alone, fishes alone. His wife died six
months ago. Medical debts stack on the table.

THEME STATED: A neighbor: "Some things you can't do alone."

CATALYST: Bank notice. Sell the boat or lose the house.

DEBATE: Asif could call his son in Moscow, who left after fighting
with him 8 years ago. He doesn't.

BREAK INTO 2: His son ELDAR (35) arrives unexpectedly. Heard from
neighbor.

[and so on through full beat sheet]

FINAL IMAGE: Two men in the boat at dawn. Working together. Eldar
casting nets like his father taught him. Asif watching, peaceful.
```

## Best practices

### Hook in first 5 minutes
- Audience commits to 2 hours
- First impression critical
- Setup what payoffs to come

### Active protagonist
- Things happen BECAUSE of them, not TO them
- Choices drive plot
- Agency throughout

### Antagonist with reason
- Best villains have logic
- Even sympathetic motivations
- Mirror to protagonist

### Subplot integration
- All subplots resolve at/before climax
- Don't introduce new plots in Act 3
- Connect thematically

### Visual storytelling
- Cinema is visual
- Less dialogue than TV
- Trust image

## Common mistakes

- Saggy middle (Act 2 boring)
- Rushed climax
- New characters in Act 3
- Subplot abandoned
- Theme on-the-nose
- Generic protagonist
- Predictable arc

## Production realities

| Tier | Budget | Notes |
|------|--------|-------|
| Microbudget | <$500K | Festival, indie |
| Indie | $500K-5M | Festival + streaming |
| Studio mid | $5M-50M | Wide release |
| Studio big | $50M-200M | Tentpole |
| Blockbuster | $200M+ | Franchise |

Script length impacts feasibility:
- 120 pages = ~$50K-200K just to shoot
- Each location = day rate
- Each cast member = compensation
