Scripting

Do I Have to Write a Script?

Yes.

But I don’t want to read from a script!

A script isn't meant to limit what you say in your video and you don't have to read directly from it. A script is a plan for your video and will save you a lot of time during filming and post-production!

"While a script isn’t as flashy as the visuals, it’s the gas that will power your video’s audio and visuals. Without a great script, you can’t have a great video." From eGeeking

You can use a script to both outline what you want to say and storyboard what you want to happen on screen.

Tell me more...

You can use your script as the basis for your transcript, which will allow you to present the material in an alternate, screen-reader friendly format. You can also use this transcript to upload to your hosting platform to add as closed captions.

Imagine trying to do this if you were making up as you went along?

OK, tell me how!

Sure! Here are some resources:

90 second video on scripting

This video is about scripting educational videos but everything in it can be applied to student video projects too.

Transcript (.rtf, 2 Mb)

11 minute video by Anna Akana

This 11 minute video, tries to break down writing scripts and make it a fun approachable topic. Scripts don't have to be scary!

Transcript (.rtf, 432 Kb)

TIP: When creating an animated video it's best to designate a graphic for each part of your script, then when you start to compile the video in your editing software, it's just a matter of following the script line for line.

Formatting a script

There are specific ways of formatting a professional script (say if you were submitting a screenplay to a producer) but you can format YOUR video script however it makes sense to you.

Some suggestions:

use all caps for character names and for major scene changes
use italics for all scene directions
indent and double space to add as much white space as possible, this makes it easier to read during filming and gives you space to write notations and changes

Some people like to use tables to organize all the information too.

Working on a video pitch?

Think about formatting your video as a story.

TIP: One page of script typed in 12 pt Calibri font, double spaced and indented is about 1 minute of video.

Examples

Here are a few formats that you can use to script/storyboard your video:

Now you're ready to start Filming!

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