Two-column script format

Updated July 3, 2006

Video ScriptsVideo Scripts A variety of script formats are A variety of script formats are used. used.

Most follow certain guidelines but Most follow certain guidelines but may vary depending upon the may vary depending upon the organization. organization.

Screenwriting, Broadcast Journalism Screenwriting, Broadcast Journalism and Writing for Electronic Media and Writing for Electronic Media cover writing in much more detail.cover writing in much more detail.

Brief overview of 2 column formatBrief overview of 2 column format

Two-column script Helpful means of organizing shots and video

ALL VIDEO information goes in the left column

ALL AUDIO information goes in the right column

Be as detailed as possible Use the ‘table’ function of your word processor to create a 2-column table

Video  Video  AudioAudioVIDEO VIDEO INSTRUCTIONS INSTRUCTIONS ALWAYS GO HERE.  ALWAYS GO HERE.  BE AS DETAILED BE AS DETAILED AS POSSIBLE.  AS POSSIBLE.  VIDEO VIDEO INSTRUCTIONS ARE INSTRUCTIONS ARE IN ALL CAPS.IN ALL CAPS.

The audio portion The audio portion ofof

the script goes the script goes on the on the

right hand side right hand side and is and is

double spaced.double spaced.

Video  Video  AudioAudio 2-COLUMN FORMAT 2-COLUMN FORMAT TIP: TIP: CREATE A 2-CREATE A 2-COLUMN SCRIPT BY COLUMN SCRIPT BY USING THE USING THE TABLETABLE FUNCTION IN YOUR FUNCTION IN YOUR WORD PROCESS.  WORD PROCESS.  CHOOSE A 2-COLUMN CHOOSE A 2-COLUMN TABLE WITH 15-20 TABLE WITH 15-20 ROWS.  ADD ROWS AS ROWS.  ADD ROWS AS NEEDED.NEEDED.

Any additional Any additional directionsdirections

should be listed in should be listed in parentheses before parentheses before the the

copy.copy.

Also, indicate who isAlso, indicate who isspeaking: narrator,speaking: narrator,character, etc…character, etc…

Video  Video  AudioAudioEACH BOX IN THE EACH BOX IN THE LEFT COLUMN LEFT COLUMN SHOULD CONTAIN SHOULD CONTAIN NO MORE THAN A NO MORE THAN A SINGLE SHOTSINGLE SHOT

EACH SHOT MUST EACH SHOT MUST EXACTLY MATCH EXACTLY MATCH THE AUDIOTHE AUDIO

(Special (Special instructions instructions include details include details about the audio: about the audio: e.g., UP, UNDER, e.g., UP, UNDER, ESTABLISH)ESTABLISH)

ExampleExample______________________(Theme music up,(Theme music up, establish, then establish, then under)under)

Narrator: Water - the Narrator: Water - the single most importantsingle most importantelement on earth. element on earth.

Video  Video  AudioAudio ALSO IN THE LEFT ALSO IN THE LEFT COLUMN: SPECIFIC COLUMN: SPECIFIC VISUAL DIRECTIONS VISUAL DIRECTIONS (CUTS, (CUTS, DISSOLVES), DISSOLVES), GRAPHICS, TITLES, GRAPHICS, TITLES, SPECIAL EFFECTS, SPECIAL EFFECTS, Lower Thirds Lower Thirds (NAME AND TITLE).(NAME AND TITLE).

Be as detailed as Be as detailed as possible with possible with instructions, music instructions, music and sound effectsand sound effects

Write out Write out everything everything just as just as it is meant to be it is meant to be spoken aloud.spoken aloud.

Keep script Keep script conversationalconversational

VIDEOVIDEO AUDIOAUDIOXLS - HOGGARD XLS - HOGGARD HALL, CANNON IN HALL, CANNON IN FOREGROUNDFOREGROUND

(MUSIC UP: Faber (MUSIC UP: Faber College Theme)College Theme)

DISSOLVE TO MS, DISSOLVE TO MS, BURNEY FOUNTAINBURNEY FOUNTAIN

MUSIC CONTINUESMUSIC CONTINUES

DISSOLVE TO CU DISSOLVE TO CU SPIRIT ROCKSPIRIT ROCK

(MUSIC UNDER)(MUSIC UNDER)NARRATOR: “One of NARRATOR: “One of the best kept the best kept secrets in higher secrets in higher education, the education, the University of University of North Carolina at North Carolina at Wilmington, has Wilmington, has been…been…

Sample Script Page

Scripting notes Narration, dialog should be as conversational as possible and appropriate for the characters

Strive for natural flow and read copy aloud once written

Contractions, informal verbiage acceptable if appropriate for topic

Scripting notes A great deal of information can be communicated in 30 seconds

Scripts must be 30 seconds, no more (read them aloud)

Scripting notes TV is a visual medium, don’t be afraid to exploit this and create visually stimulating messages

Music and sound effects are also of incredible importance, use them when appropriate

Just like advertising, one key goal is to “break through the clutter”

StoryboardStoryboard

•Visual representation of the script

•Pictures are added to the script to ‘show’ what the video/film scenes will look like

•Usually 4 or 6 to a page - key visuals in the ‘box,’ key audio on the lines below or next to the frame

StoryboardStoryboard•Range from single page for a 30 second PSA hundreds of frames for a film.

•May be on standard paper or on foam-core posterboard.

•Useful means of envisioning the concept.

•Range from rough sketches to polished drawings or photographs.

Client: UNCW Student Productions Campaign: “You Need Us”Title: Full Service Sept. 17, 2002

Theme music, UP, then UNDER. “UNCW Student TV productions”

“Narr.: Your one-stop video production source.

From planning to editing …

…we can get your message across.

UNCW Student Productions - a full service company

Because so much is riding on your video.” (A subsidiary of Gene’s Tire and Auto)

Storyboards Adjust format as needed Print on 8.5x11” paper for this course (commercial presentations may differ)

Be enterprising in making your storyboard look professional - it also must be persuasive (like the proposal)