360 / Types of Writing
something else to gain interest. Generally, television programs must catch a
viewer’s attention within the first 20 seconds.- Allow yourself the freedom of interviews. Although you cannot script an
interview, you should write out the questions in advance. Then, once the
interview has been taped, edit it to include the most useful segments. These
segments, called clips, become part of the final script. - Always think from the point of view of your audience. What does it want or
need to know about your subject? How can you best convey this information? - Work for variety. If you include segments without visible action, intersperse
them with activity. Obviously, don’t add unrelated action for its own sake.
Remember, too, altering camera angles suggests action and thus creates variety. - Conclude satisfactorily, perhaps with something dramatic, fulfilling, or
futuristic. Documentaries may point to an upcoming event or end with a
summary. Sometimes a statement of impact or potential works best. - Time your script carefully, to the second. Additional editing may be required to
keep the program within the limit. Live programming, which cannot be edited,
requires not only careful scriptwriting but also superb on-the-air talent who
can adjust their performance on the spot. Because of these demands, very little
television programming is live.
STEP 4: Writing—Adding the Video
With the audio script completed, turn to the video. Plan camera shots to best illus-
trate your topic. Rely on your creativity to develop video that really tells the story.
(Watching televised programs similar to your own will give you additional ideas.)
Specify the kind of camera work you want, using the right terminology.
STEP 5: Revising—Checking the Script
Now put the script in proper format. Use this simple guide:
- Draw a line, vertically, down a standard 8 ½" × 11" sheet of paper; leave one-
third of the space on the left and two-thirds on the right. - Label the left-hand column Video and the right Audio.
- Enter the talent identification (narrator, interviewee, and so on) and the
narration or dialogue in the right-hand column. - Include sound effects in the audio column.
Give appropriate camera directions in the video column alongside their correspond-
ing narration or dialogue. Note: Where you place the camera directions in the video
column determines when the directions will be executed. As a rule of thumb, camera
shots should change every 20 or 30 seconds. But creativity means that rules may be
broken for a purpose. Keep your purpose in mind.