How Long Is Too Long For A Comedic Scene?

[Reign]

Hi, everyone! I need some help! I'm writing out the script for my comic, and maybe it's because I'm writing out the script, and so I can't really judge how many pages the scene will last yet, but I want to make sure it doesn't go for too long. The scene is where the main character is with his family in a restaurant, and a slug (soon to be his best friend) is discovered, having followed the main character there. The sight of the slug ending up in someone's salad causes a commotion, and the main character has to save the slug from getting killed by the staff. I want to make the situation outlandish, but I don't want to drag on the scene of the slug getting tossed into the air and into food for too long. How long would you want to read a comedy scene? Thanks in advance for answers and insights! It means a lot!

[vothnthorvaldson]

If there are slugs, it can't be too long. Slugs make everything better.

I really have to check your comic.

I hope you'll get less partial and more useful answers by non slug-obsessed people, though.

And i can't help posting that:

[mariusthered]

Slugs make everything better.

try having them live in your kitchen

as for the question i would try to contain the scene to a max of three pages. best bet is to get a pen and pad and work it out with thumb nails so you know where all the bubbles go and at the same time you can work out all the camera angles and interaction.

[moop]

I think as long as it’s interesting and funny throughout it can be as long as you want! if when you’re drawing it you feel like you’re making too many pages you can try adding smaller varied gags so there’s still something new and funny in each update.

[unknown_user]

How much are you prepared to spend on this?

For me, it would be fun to read up to 5-10 panels of slug adventures before the main character will start to rescue it. The process of rescuing itself can be short or long, depending of how much will happen during this!

I think, you'd better just start to draw this, and then you'll find out how to organize it better in the process itself.

[spadesart]

as long as the payoff is good it can be as long as you want. the monty hall scene in b99 progressed over the course of the whole episode (3 ish minutes of footage in total) and its one of the most iconic scenes in the show

[Reign]

Thanks, guys! All of this info really helps!

[LT1986]

I would read the scene as long as I want to continue reading the comic. Whether the scene is too long, too short, or just right, I realize that there will be changes in a comic. I might like some changes better than others, but as long as the whole body of work is good I'm okay.