PRE - The Art of Scripting ( Lesson)

The Art of Scripting

Introduction

Creating a script that is easy to follow and adheres to standard formatting can be a daunting task the first couple of times, but it is a critical piece of your video project. Without a script there is no video. There are some key questions you have to consider that include:

  • What is the purpose of the video?
  • What is the take-away?
  • Who is your audience?
  • What is the hook?
  • Did you focus on what’s important?
  • What’s the tone of the video?

Once you consider these questions and establish the story you want to tell, then you are ready to write your script. 

Explore Key Elements in Scriptwriting

Before you start, let’s go over some key elements in scriptwriting essential for creating a clear ‘road map’ to producing your video by exploring the 8 Basic Elements in the following video:

Formatting Rules for Scripts

Although the video states that screenplay formatting software should be used to avoid having to remember all the formatting rules, it is important to actually know the margin rules for formatting your script. All margins listed in the table below are measured in inches.

Margin Rules

Element 

Left Margin 

Right Margin 

Width 

Action 

1.5 

1 

6 

Dialogue 

2.9 

2.3 

3.3 

Character Cue 

4.2 

1 

3.3 

Parenthetical 

3.6 

2.9 

2 

Transition 

6 

1 

1.5 

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Transcript

Scriptwriting Key Terms

Challenge Yourself: Review Formatting 

Read each statement. Answer each of the statements with TRUE or FALSE. 

  1. Each page typed in font Courier 12 is equivalent to 2 minutes. 
  2. All transitions except FADE OUT should be located on the right. 
  3. A computer generated image denotes action that cannot be filmed normally and will require the use of computers to generate the full imagery. 
  4. If the speaker is someone on the other end of a telephone line but not physically in the scene, you would use Voice Over. 
  5. The description of the Character Name should not be in all caps. 
  6. The page number is located at the top right .5” and flushed left.

Check Your Answers: Formatting True or False

  1. Each page typed in font Courier 12 is equivalent to 2 minutes.
    👉 FALSE — One page in Courier 12 is roughly 1 minute of screen time, not 2.

  1. All transitions except FADE OUT should be located on the right.
    👉 TRUE — Transitions like CUT TO: and DISSOLVE TO: are right-aligned. FADE OUT is typically left-aligned.

  2. A computer generated image denotes action that cannot be filmed normally and will require the use of computers to generate the full imagery.
    👉 TRUE — This is correct. These are often marked as CGI (Computer Generated Imagery).

  3. If the speaker is someone on the other end of a telephone line but not physically in the scene, you would use Voice Over.
    👉 FALSE — You would use O.S. (Off Screen) or (V.O.) depending on context. Typically, phone conversations use O.S. if it's a live call, V.O. if it's a recorded message or internal thought.

  1. The description of the Character Name should not be in all caps.
    👉 FALSE — The Character Name is always in ALL CAPS in both action lines (first appearance) and above dialogue blocks.

  1. The page number is located at the top right .5” and flushed left.
    👉 FALSE — The page number is at the top right corner, flushed right, not left.

Wrap-Up

Watch the video, How to Ask Your Crush on a Date, and then identify the:

  • Hook
  • Intro
  • Action
  • The Purpose of the video
  • The Call of Action

How to Ask A Crush on a Date

Were You Correct?

Check your answers below:

Hook: The girl’s perspective of having a crush on someone and wanting to go out 

Intro: Hey Lovebirds, welcome to Wellcast! Do you want to ask someone out but is afraid of accidentally injuring yourself instead? It's okay. This week we are gonna be talking about that stupid, awkward, awful, awesome feeling of liking someone. And, we are going to make you do something about it. We are going to give you 4 tips for asking him on a date! 

Action: Introduce journaling as an option 

The Purpose of the Video: To help the girl take steps to get a date with her crush

The Call of Action: Be Proactive and take the steps to get that date! 

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