Two-column script format

Updated July 3, 2006

Video Scripts A variety of script formats are used. Most follow certain guidelines but may vary

depending upon the organization. Screenwriting, Broadcast Journalism and

Writing for Electronic Media cover writing in much more detail.

Brief 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 AudioVIDEO

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

The audio portion of the script goes on the right hand side and is double spaced.

Video Audio 2-COLUMN FORMAT

TIP: CREATE A 2- COLUMN SCRIPT BY USING THE TABLE FUNCTION IN YOUR WORDPROCESS.CHOOSE A 2-COLUMN TABLE WITH 15-20ROWS. ADD ROWS AS NEEDED.

Any additional directions

should be listed in parentheses before the copy.

Also, indicate who is speaking: narrator, character, etc…

Video AudioEACH BOX IN THE

LEFT COLUMN SHOULD CONTAIN NO MORE THAN A SINGLE SHOT

EACH SHOT MUST EXACTLY MATCH THE AUDIO

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

Example

(Theme music up,establish, then under) Narrator: Water - the single most important element on earth.

Video Audio ALSO IN THE LEFT

COLUMN: SPECIFIC VISUAL DIRECTIONS (CUTS, DISSOLVES), GRAPHICS, TITLES, SPECIAL EFFECTS, Lower Thirds (NAME AND TITLE).

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

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

Keep scriptconversational

VIDEO AUDIO

XLS - HOGGARD HALL, (MUSIC UP: FaberCANNON IN College Theme)FOREGROUNDDISSOLVE TO MS, MUSIC CONTINUES BURNEY FOUNTAINDISSOLVE TO CUSPIRIT ROCK

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

Storyboard

•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

Storyboard

•Range from single page for a 30 second PSAhundreds 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”Sept. 17, 2002Title: Full Service

Theme music, UP, thenUNDER. “UNCW StudentTV productions”

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

From planning to editing …

…we can get your messageacross.

UNCW Student Productions- a full service company

Because so much is riding onyour video.” (A subsidiary ofGene’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)