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  AudioAudio

VIDEO 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 PROCESSOR.  WORD PROCESSOR. 

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 Also, indicate who isis

speaking: narrator,speaking: narrator,character, etc…character, etc…

Video  Video  AudioAudio

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

ExampleExample______________________

(Theme music up,(Theme music up,

establish, then establish, then under)under)

Narrator: Water - the Narrator: Water - the

single most importantsingle most important

element 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, instructions, music and sound music and sound effectseffects

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 AUDIOAUDIO

FADE UP ON AERIAL FADE UP ON AERIAL SHOT – BRYANT-SHOT – BRYANT-DENNY STADIUMDENNY STADIUM

(MUSIC UP: “YEA (MUSIC UP: “YEA ALABAMA”)ALABAMA”)

DISSOLVE TO LS, DISSOLVE TO LS, DENNY CHIMESDENNY CHIMES

MUSIC CONTINUESMUSIC CONTINUES

DISSOLVE TO LS, DISSOLVE TO LS, REESE PHIFER HALLREESE PHIFER HALL

(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 Alabama…Alabama…

Sample Script Page

Scripting notes Narration, dialogue 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”

Production Elements Dialogue Action Standup (speaking to camera) Soundbite (Interview) Voice-Over with B-Roll Graphic Tag

AIDA Formula Attention Interest Desire Action