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Introduction to Broadcasting MCM 411

LESSON 20

WRITING SCRIPT FOR RADIO BROADCAST

There is no way to manage a 24-hour broadcast on daily basis without specifying certain

areas. Perhaps the top most matter is writing scripts for various programs. Almost every

program at a broadcasting house begins when a producer hands over the script to the

announcer, or anchorpersons for different programs. Missing a script means delay, or

cancellation of the program...and a furious program manager.

Writing script for radio is no ordinary exercise. The writer must be familiar with the type of

program he/she has been engaged with. The variation in script writing is so wide that

specialized script writers are involved in the production of copies for different programs. Then,

these scripts have to be kept in order... in order of the time for the day and programs on

weekly or daily basis. The script record keeping is a specialized job. So much of scripts is

available at a radio station that, like a library, these scripts have to be marked with the title of

programs, days of broadcast, timings and the producers. There may be a need for a script of a

program which was broadcast last month for certain reasons. That script has to be in hand

within no time. This is possible only when these sheets of papers are kept orderly.

Here below a broad classification is given to identify scripts for different types of programs;

NEWS Script

Undoubtedly, one of the top priorities goes in writing scripts for news which is generally

considered as one most formal broadcast by any station. Highly professional writers, having a

fairly long experience in language and news copy writing are employed to write copies for the

prime-time newsreels. What must be cared in these scripts is;

- Proper language (understood by most listeners)

- Simple words (at times difficult to find)

- Small sentences

- No jarring / jumbling

- Paragraphing

- Slugs

- Ethics

- Legal

- Proper terminology in IR...proper references

Interviews

Like news, you can't afford a mistake of names, background, reference and the subject matter

while interviewing a person. The only safety is you first write down a script carrying questions

and all the references about the interviewee. In panel interviews sometimes supplementary

questions have to be scripted as other are putting questions in real time. Normal practice is to

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Introduction to Broadcasting MCM 411

employ people who should conduct research work on a topic or the personality before

questions are constructed. Some station engage top ranking researchers for this purpose. All

this exercise aims at making interviews one of the most attractive piece of broadcast. If you

have to hold an interview of a celebrity from the showbiz, it is pertinent to know a great deal

about the achievements of the star and then set questions. It is a poor show on part of a

broadcasting house, or the interviewer, to ask a celebrity to narrate his/her achievements

Talk Shows / Discussions

The opening remarks about the topic and the necessity to run a program, introduction of the

participants and the questions are all lying on the table as a script to begin a program. At

times some lines are so hard and fast, that the anchorperson has to rehearse them well

before the time. But much of the talk shows is the same as in the programs like interviews.

The anchorperson of talk shows must be equipped with information related to the person or

the topic. For example if the discussion is to take place on globalization of economy, the

compere must be familiar with the concepts of free market economy, the various rounds of the

World trade Organization to up date various provisions for the global trade, and at the top of it,

country's position on certain developments in the world trade, reaction of the business

community and the possible amendments which may remove obstacles in a smooth

international trade. From here on the discussion must start to find new ideas on various

aspects of the topic under discussion. If this is not done this way, then the program would be

repeating things which are already in the knowledge of listeners.

Documentaries & Radio Features

For all documentaries and radio features, a script must be ready before other formalities are

fulfilled. In documentaries the script may carry historical data as well. One thing which must be

taken care of is the choice of words which should be simple and understood by common

people without much botheration.

Live Shows

Though it seems, the talent is saying something off the cuff, it is not so. All one is saying at the

mike in front of a huge gatherings like the live-shows, or awards giving ceremonies, is not only

strictly scripted but properly rehearsed for one can't afford to slip and cause embarrassment to

the producer and the station when VIPS and other bigwigs are around.

Disc Jockeys

All Programs children, women, forces, farmers, light-talk, film songs-based, announcements,

messages etc. are not without scripts. Since these programs carry a fair amount of talking;

pieces of advice, jokes, what to do and what not and ordinary statements/announcements

therefore the talents need a copy of script. Even a shift announcer is given a script to make

announcements for the programs and news bulletins to follow. The same script is also held by

the producers to make sure that a program goes according to the script.

Dramas

Needless is to say that a drama needs a script; it has to be. In fact there is no concept of a

radio play without a script. Not only a formal script is required to produce a drama, the drama

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Introduction to Broadcasting MCM 411

script is so frequently punctuated with marks like cues and cautions; pauses, loud speech,

whisper, snobbish and the background musical effects.

These are the scripts, which are not only rehearsed for hours but sometimes for days; to the

satisfaction of the director before recordings begin. The following points should be kept in

mind while dealing with a script for dramas:

One-liner

Few Characters

Brief lines

All sound effects mentioned (radio script)

Story sequence well defined and easy to understand

Turning points fully emphasized