# Pacing — Script Core

> How fast or slow a story moves. Critical for holding audience attention across all formats.

## What pacing is

The rate at which:
- Information is revealed
- Emotional beats land
- Plot advances
- Stakes change

Wrong pacing = audience disengagement, regardless of how good content is.

## Format-specific pacing baselines

| Format | Pace |
|--------|------|
| TikTok / Reel | Hook in 3s, payoff in 30s |
| YouTube short | Hook in 5s, structure in 60s |
| 30s ad | Hook 0-3s, problem 3-15s, solution 15-25s, CTA 25-30s |
| Brand film 60-90s | Slow buildup, emotional peak |
| Music video | Beat-driven, varies |
| YouTube long-form | Hook 0-15s, slow burn ok |
| Short film 5-15min | Setup-Confrontation-Resolution within minutes |
| Series episode | Cold open + 4-act structure (~22-50min) |
| Feature film | 90-120min, classic 3-act |
| Documentary | Subject-driven, longer setups ok |

## Universal pacing principles

### Open late, close early
- Start scenes IN action, not setup
- End scenes BEFORE full resolution

```
BAD:
Two characters enter cafe.
They order coffee.
They sit.
They start the difficult conversation.

GOOD:
Mid-conversation already happening.
"You can't be serious."
Resolution implied, scene ends on look.
```

### Vary scene length
- Short scenes = tension, pace
- Long scenes = character, depth
- Alternate for rhythm

### Information drip
- Don't dump backstory in Act 1
- Reveal info as needed
- Save reveals for impact moments

### Build to peaks
- Each act ends at higher tension than it began
- Climax should feel inevitable yet surprising

## Pacing tools

### Quick cuts (fast pacing)
- Many scenes, short
- Crosscutting between locations
- Dialogue overlaps

### Long takes (slow pacing)
- Single scene unfolds
- Real-time feel
- Builds tension or atmosphere

### Time jumps
- Skip the boring parts
- "3 days later" or visual cues
- Reader/viewer fills gaps

### Montage
- Compress time
- Show progression
- Emotional/musical beat

## Pacing pitfalls

### Saggy middle (Act 2)
Most scripts lose steam in Act 2. Solutions:
- Add a midpoint reversal
- Introduce new obstacle
- Raise stakes
- Subplot crossover

### Rushed Act 3
Climax should breathe. Don't rush:
- Build to climax with set-pieces
- Let resolution moments land
- Don't immediately wrap up

### Slow opening
Modern audiences won't wait. Solutions:
- Open mid-scene
- In medias res (start in middle of action)
- Hook first, exposition later

## Per-format pacing rules

### TikTok / Reel (sub-60s)
- 0-3s: HOOK (visual + question)
- 3-15s: ESCALATION
- 15-45s: REVEAL
- 45-60s: PAYOFF + CTA

### Brand 30s ad
- 0-3s: HOOK
- 3-12s: PROBLEM
- 12-22s: PRODUCT introduction
- 22-28s: SOLUTION/transformation
- 28-30s: CTA / brand

### Short film 10min
- 0-1min: Setup (world + character)
- 1-3min: Inciting incident
- 3-6min: Confrontation
- 6-7min: Crisis
- 7-9min: Climax
- 9-10min: Resolution

### Sitcom episode (22min)
- 0-2min: Cold open (setup)
- 2-7min: Act 1 (problem introduced)
- 7-15min: Act 2 (escalation)
- 15-22min: Act 3 (resolution + button)

## Subjective vs objective pacing

- **Objective** = clock time
- **Subjective** = how time FEELS to viewer

A 5-minute scene with tension feels short.
A 30-second scene with no stakes feels long.

Pacing is about emotional engagement, not just clock.