Radio Script Format Radio scripts are usually typed across
the page with margins of approximately one inch on each side. This
produces a script that will take roughly four seconds per line, or 30
seconds per eight lines, to read. Figure 19.1 shows an example of a cor-
rectly formatted radio script.Television Script Format Television scripts are more
complicated than radio scripts because they must include cues and
instructions to the director. The television news script is divided into
two columns. The left-hand column of the script contains all the infor-
mation the director and crews behind the scenes need to make the pro-
duction run smoothly. The right-hand column contains the news copy
the talent reads, along with any sound bites from sources in the field.
In television news, there are four basic script types: the reader (RDR),
the package (PKG), the voice-over (VO) and the voice-over with sound
on tape (VO/SOT).-^ Reader (RDR).This script is the most basic in broadcast-
ing. It is the closest thing to a newspaper story. The
reader contains no video, and the anchor who reads
this script appears on the air the entire time. The news
department uses reader scripts for visually poor stories or
stories where there is no video.
-^ Package (PKG): This type of script is usually the longest
and most in-depth type of script (Figure 19.2). It con-
tains copy the reporter writes, along with natural sound
and interviews (sound bites) from sources in the field.
On a package, you will hear the reporter’s narration and
will see him or her in a stand-up. A stand-up is the
part of the package when a reporter appears on camera,
explaining information about a story.
-^ Voice-Over (VO): This script uses video during part or all
of the story the anchor is reading but contains no inter-
views, just natural sound from the video source.
454 MIXED MEDIA
FIGURE 19.1
A WELL-FORMATTED RADIO
SCRIPTHOMECOMING/tws/3 p.m.
Homecoming royalty will be crowned at the dance
following Friday’s football game against Central.
Chair of the Homecoming committee, Jeanne Johnson,
said she expects it to be an exciting coronation:
(CART #1, TRT - :25)
INCUE: “The king and queen will...
OUTCUE: “begin about 10:15 in the gym.”
Parents and friends are invited to attend the coronation.
(# # #)stand-up
when a reporter appears
on camera to explain the
information in a story