Two-column script format

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Two-column script format

• Updated July 3, 2006

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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

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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

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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.

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Video  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

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Video  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.

• EACH BOX IN THE LEFT COLUMN SHOULD CONTAIN NO
  MORE THAN A SINGLE SHOT
• EACH SHOT MUST EXACTLY MATCH THE AUDIO

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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 script conversational

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

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Scripting notes

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

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Scripting notes

• TV is a visual medium, dont 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

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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

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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.

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Client UNCW Student Productions Campaign You
Need UsTitle Full Service Sept. 17, 2002
Theme music, UP, then UNDER. UNCW Student TV
productions
From planning to editing
Narr. Your one-stop video production source.
Because so much is riding on your video. (A
subsidiary of Genes Tire and Auto)
UNCW Student Productions - a full service company
we can get your message across.
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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)