The Ten Point Checklist for Writers

Michael Castengera

#1 - First – The Lead

• Grab Their Attention

• Make Them Want to Watch

• Make Them Want to Listen

• Make Them Want to Read

#2 – Second – The Opening Shot• Again – Grab Their Attention

• Make It Real

• Make It Come Alive

• Establishes the Story

• Storyboard

#3 - – ThirdThe First Words• They Must Match What the

Person Is Seeing

• They Must Reinforce the Image

• In Broadcast, What They Hear is as Important as What They See

• Again - Storyboard

#4 - Fourth First Soundbite / Interview

• It Must Be A “Real” Person

• NOT An Official

• Look for the Emotional

• Connection

• Makes Them Want to Stay

#5 - Fifth – Create Visual Flow• Make The Pictures / Video

Connect

• Follow the ‘Old Rule’ – o WS – MS – CU - ECU

• It Helps The Story Line

• Storyboard

#6 - Sixth – Match Words and Video• What You Say Must Be What They

See

• Viewer Sees One Thing and Hears Another – There is a Disconnect

• They Lose Attention. They Lost Interest.

• Applies to Graphics / Pictures too

#7 - Seventh – Other Soundbites - Quotes

• Must Be Emotive

• Not Fact Statements

• You Tell the Facts

• They Tell The Story

• Storyboard

#8 – Eighth Natural Sound• Gives them a Sense of Being

There

• Underneath All The Time

• Up Full Sometimes

• Also Provides Transition

#9 - Ninth – The Closing Shot• Gives A Sense of Conclusion

• Brings The Story to An End

• Doesn’t Leave Them Hanging

• The Classic --

#10 – TenthThe Last Words• Again – Gives A Sense of

Conclusion

• Brings The Story to an End

• They Echo What the Viewer is Seeing

• Fulfills – Beginning, Middle, End

The Ten Point Checklist for Writers

Michael Castengera

The Ten Point Checklist for Writers

Michael Castengera