The film is probably going to run (with credits) 75 minutes...give or take two minutes on either side of that.
I'm happy with the length. Had aimed for 70-80 when we started the project. Looks like we nailed it.
Why so...short?
For what it's worth, a film must run at least 40 minutes to be eligible for an Academy Award. That's "feature-length" according to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. As well...five reels of film (50 minutes) have traditionally constituted a theatrical feature-length film for exhibitors.
l-r: Tim Brosnan ("Simon"), Me, and Daniel McCord (DP) at South of the Border's "Pedro's Pleasuredome."
Most commercial screenplays are written for 100-125 minute films...which is the current norm for American features...although some run a little shorter than that, and a few run longer.
I figure that my first feature should be of a very "watchable" length. Don't want anyone to decide not to watch TAKEN IN because it's too long. Plus, many public screenings of the film will include talk-back sessions following. a 75 minute running time allows for a 30-45 minute discussion after...and everyone gets out within two hours.
But that's all brass tacks, logistics, marketing. The aesthetic reason our film is on the short side of feature-length is because 75 minutes is all we need to work out this story. We're taking a ride from father-daughter estrangement to hands held. And even with the story's complications, it just doesn't take us any longer to get there.