Dual Column Script
- 1. Two-column script format Updated July 3, 2006
- 2. Video ScriptsVideo Scripts A variety of script formats are used.A variety of script formats are used. Most follow certain guidelines but may varyMost follow certain guidelines but may vary depending upon the organization.depending upon the organization. Screenwriting, Broadcast Journalism andScreenwriting, Broadcast Journalism and Writing for Electronic Media cover writing inWriting for Electronic Media cover writing in much more detail.much more detail. Brief overview of 2 column formatBrief overview of 2 column format
- 3. 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
- 4. VideoVideo AudioAudio VIDEOVIDEO INSTRUCTIONSINSTRUCTIONS ALWAYS GOALWAYS GO HERE. BE ASHERE. BE AS DETAILED ASDETAILED AS POSSIBLE. VIDEOPOSSIBLE. VIDEO INSTRUCTIONSINSTRUCTIONS ARE IN ALL CAPS.ARE IN ALL CAPS. The audio portion ofThe audio portion of the script goes on thethe script goes on the right hand side and isright hand side and is double spaced.double spaced.
- 5. VideoVideo AudioAudio 2-COLUMN FORMAT2-COLUMN FORMAT TIP:TIP: CREATE A 2-CREATE A 2- COLUMN SCRIPT BYCOLUMN SCRIPT BY USING THEUSING THE TABLETABLE FUNCTION IN YOURFUNCTION IN YOUR WORD PROCESS.WORD PROCESS. CHOOSE A 2-COLUMNCHOOSE A 2-COLUMN TABLE WITH 15-20TABLE WITH 15-20 ROWS. ADD ROWS ASROWS. ADD ROWS AS NEEDED.NEEDED. Any additionalAny additional directionsdirections should be listed inshould be listed in parentheses before theparentheses before the copy.copy. Also, indicate who isAlso, indicate who is speaking: narrator,speaking: narrator, character, etc…character, etc…
- 6. VideoVideo AudioAudio EACH BOX IN THEEACH BOX IN THE LEFT COLUMNLEFT COLUMN SHOULD CONTAINSHOULD CONTAIN NO MORE THAN ANO MORE THAN A SINGLE SHOTSINGLE SHOT EACH SHOT MUSTEACH SHOT MUST EXACTLY MATCHEXACTLY MATCH THE AUDIOTHE AUDIO (Special instructions(Special instructions include details about theinclude details about the audio: e.g., UP,audio: e.g., UP, UNDER, ESTABLISH)UNDER, ESTABLISH) ExampleExample______________________ (Theme music up,(Theme music up, establish, then under)establish, then under) Narrator: Water - theNarrator: Water - the single most importantsingle most important element on earth.element on earth.
- 7. VideoVideo AudioAudio ALSO IN THE LEFTALSO IN THE LEFT COLUMN: SPECIFICCOLUMN: SPECIFIC VISUAL DIRECTIONSVISUAL DIRECTIONS (CUTS, DISSOLVES),(CUTS, DISSOLVES), GRAPHICS, TITLES,GRAPHICS, TITLES, SPECIAL EFFECTS,SPECIAL EFFECTS, Lower Thirds (NAMELower Thirds (NAME AND TITLE).AND TITLE). Be as detailed asBe as detailed as possible withpossible with instructions, musicinstructions, music and sound effectsand sound effects Write out everythingWrite out everything just as it is meant tojust as it is meant to be spoken aloud.be spoken aloud. Keep scriptKeep script conversationalconversational
- 8. VIDEOVIDEO AUDIOAUDIO XLS - HOGGARD HALL,XLS - HOGGARD HALL, CANNON INCANNON IN FOREGROUNDFOREGROUND (MUSIC UP: Faber(MUSIC UP: Faber College Theme)College Theme) DISSOLVE TO MS,DISSOLVE TO MS, BURNEY FOUNTAINBURNEY FOUNTAIN MUSIC CONTINUESMUSIC CONTINUES DISSOLVE TO CUDISSOLVE TO CU SPIRIT ROCKSPIRIT ROCK (MUSIC UNDER)(MUSIC UNDER) NARRATOR: “One of theNARRATOR: “One of the best kept secrets in higherbest kept secrets in higher education, the Universityeducation, the University of North Carolina atof North Carolina at Wilmington, has been…Wilmington, has been… Sample Script Page
- 9. 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
- 10. Scripting notes A great deal of information can be communicated in 30 seconds Scripts must be 30 seconds, no more (read them aloud)
- 11. 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”
- 12. StoryboardStoryboard •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
- 13. StoryboardStoryboard •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.
- 14. Client: UNCW Student Productions Campaign: “You Need Us” Title: Full Service Sept. 17, 2002 Theme music, UP, then UNDER. “UNCW Student TV productions” “Narr.: Your one-stop video production source. From planning to editing … …we can get your message across. UNCW Student Productions - a full service company Because so much is riding on your video.” (A subsidiary of Gene’s Tire and Auto)
- 15. 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)