Twocolumn script format Updated July 3 2006 Video

Two-column script format Updated July 3, 2006

Video Scripts n n 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 n n n 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 Audio VIDEO 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 n Audio 2 -COLUMN FORMAT TIP: CREATE A 2 COLUMN SCRIPT BY USING THE TABLE FUNCTION IN YOUR WORD PROCESS. CHOOSE A 2 -COLUMN TABLE WITH 15 -20 ROWS. ADD ROWS AS NEEDED. Any additional directions should be listed in parentheses before the copy. Also, indicate who is speaking: narrator, character, etc…

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

Video n Audio ALSO IN THE LEFT COLUMN: SPECIFIC VISUAL DIRECTIONS (CUTS, DISSOLVES), GRAPHICS, TITLES, SPECIAL EFFECTS, Lower Thirds (NAME AND TITLE). n n n Be as detailed as possible with instructions, music and sound effects Write out everything just as it is meant to be spoken aloud. Keep script conversational

Sample Script Page VIDEO AUDIO XLS - HOGGARD HALL, CANNON IN FOREGROUND DISSOLVE TO MS, BURNEY FOUNTAIN DISSOLVE TO CU SPIRIT ROCK (MUSIC UP: Faber College Theme) MUSIC CONTINUES (MUSIC UNDER) NARRATOR: “One of the best kept secrets in higher education, the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, has been…

Scripting notes Narration, dialog should be as conversational as possible and appropriate for the characters n Strive for natural flow and read copy aloud once written n Contractions, informal verbiage acceptable if appropriate for topic n

Scripting notes A great deal of information can be communicated in 30 seconds n Scripts must be 30 seconds, no more (read them aloud) n

Scripting notes TV is a visual medium, don’t be afraid to exploit this and create visually stimulating messages n Music and sound effects are also of incredible importance, use them when appropriate n Just like advertising, one key goal is to “break through the clutter” n

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 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” …we can get your message across. “Narr. : Your one-stop video production source. UNCW Student Productions - a full service company From planning to editing … Because so much is riding on your video. ” (A subsidiary of Gene’s Tire and Auto)

Storyboards Adjust format as needed n Print on 8. 5 x 11” paper for this course (commercial presentations may differ) n Be enterprising in making your storyboard look professional - it also must be persuasive (like the proposal) n