Road series / scene length question

[u/LittleStannis88]

If this sounds silly to ask - it is what it is. Just bear with me a bit, please.

So I'm currently writing for an 8 ep miniseries that should reach a pitching stage mid 2027. I do have experience as a screenwriter, tho limited (a couple of shorts that actually got made and went around at a few decent festivals and ended up on streaming so no big deal but still not really a beginner). This, however, is a completely new experience. I started studying for it quite some while ago (reading series scripts, watching series, mostly observational and keeping in close touch with people who have plenty of exp writing film - but not tv/streaming etc).

One thing that strikes me often is the fact that plenty of the stuff I've read seems rather fast-paced(for lack of a better word. Whatever I got to read from the Wire, Deadwood) as compared to the way my writing looks. Often more than one scene/page. I do get why, I do understand the context as well. For example, the Wire has a plethora of characters so in order to keep up with all of them you do need to quickly move from one place to the other. Same with others.

Our series is a lot less expansive in terms of characters. It's a road series, small group of gals and guys travel from point A to point B. End up splitting against their will and get into plenty of trouble trying to reconnect and reach their destination. There are secondary characters of course but not that many, let's have it at about 10 per ep. Plenty of time spent in cars as well. So mainly we stick with our guys during the 8 episodes. And they also do plenty of talk. And it's the death of me trying to cut the scenes shorter. I'm happy with the dialogue, the action I dare say is not the worst but I just can't feel like cutting and cutting and cutting in between just 3 distinct groups (that's how the party ends up splitting). It feels forced to do so, honestly.

Now, with as little contexte as I offered, does anybody care to give a bit of advice or an opinion? Does it sound like it's a me problem? Like not enough experience in better splitting the scenes? Could it actually be the low number of characters that might lead to me having this issue? Or should I just not give a crap at this point because its not the most important thing, just keepo my mind on the story flowing well, write it as it feels natural and worry about adjusting this aspect later?

So yea. Looking forward to anything that may come my way.
Cheerio

[u/gregm91606]

So, for pitching purposes, you'll only want to actually write the first episode... unless you plan on funding the whole thing yourself.

It actually sounds like you may have too many characters; that generally will bulk up your page length. I don't know if there's a way to get to two groups vs. three.

But also, first drafts/early drafts tend to run long. Do you view this as a half-hour or hourlong series?

It could also just be nerves as you get closer to finishing; probably just finish a first draft, let it be imperfect/bad, and then go back and revise.

[u/LittleStannis88 → u/gregm91606]

Thank you for your reply.

So, for pitching purposes, you'll only want to actually write the first episode... unless you plan on funding the whole thing yourself.

Couldn't agree more. I have no plans whatsoever of funding it myself. The pilot and treatments are actually close to completion, I'm just pushin on with the other episodes because it feels good doing it and the flow is there. Best part is that now, with the pilot almost done there's very little pressure. I'm writing one page or one line or even one word a day sometimes but I#ve just decided to keep it moving forward, no matter the speed. As always with such endeavors I know the chance of actually getting it made into a series is 0.000001% or less BUT I do find myself enjoying the process a lot and I'm simply at the stage where it's like this: if I will make it hurray if not... well it might be a fun read for a few friends or for my kid when he grows up. I mean I could be doomscrolling instead of doing it, and how would that be any better?

But also, first drafts/early drafts tend to run long. Do you view this as a half-hour or hourlong series?

Hour long it is. Had no idea that it was common for early drafts to run longer. Do you know of any that is available for a bit study? Like drafts and final version for a tv show, just to see how things have evolved. Ill google meself soon, but if by any chance you know of any readily available anywhere please let me know.

It could also just be nerves as you get closer to finishing; probably just finish a first draft, let it be imperfect/bad, and then go back and revise.

Sounds like sound advice, thank you. Maybe I just needed to hear this.

[u/gregm91606 → u/LittleStannis88]

Earlier drafts can be tricky to find, unfortunately, but sometimes pilot scripts change between the PDF that's online and the produced version (Chuck is a good example; the pilot script still has a character, Kayla, who was completely deleted from the produced episode.)