SCRIPT WRITING:Elements of a successful story, Characters, Effects

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TV News Reporting and Production MCM 516

LESSON 06

SCRIPT WRITING

The script writing is an important step in the production of any television programme and the producer

should choose such an author having the knowledge of writing a screenplay. The subjects for the TV

production should be one not treated in book. The writer should have the mental images built on

remembrance of scenes and experience that help to visualize and create the scenery. He or she must

have "eye of mind" and be capable of making mental pictures.

The plot of any story, drama, novel, or play has following basic ingredients

Introduction:

beginning

Complication:

development of complications

Culmination:

climax of conflict

Solution:

resolution of issues

Conclusion:

ending

The writer should keep in mind that the characters must be intensely human, close to real life and day-

to-day situations. More universal the theme, greater is the audience. A good author has a study of lives

of those who will be the audience so he or she should develop the ability to write dialogue by listening

to the conversation of those particular people.

A good script has following components:

Purpose

to justify its viewer-ship

Simplicity

to make it look true

Familiarity

to be directly communicable

The situations in the play should be easily assimilated and there must not be any loophole in the story.

The conflict and then the resolution, setting the problem, explanation of factors involved all should be

weaved properly. There are as many stories as many of persons, where you find a human being, and you

find a drama there.

Elements of a successful story

Extraordinary swiftness

Economy of words

Rapid development of situation

Promise of future development

Immediate attention

Powerful atmosphere

Striking characterization

Intriguing unusual setting

Extremely usual setting

Do's in script writing

Opening should be catchy to hold the audience

The style, diction and contents should introduce the play

Logical development of the story is necessary

Tempo to be fast

Planned forward action

Element of suspense is vital.

Surprise grabs the attention.

Language should be used according to situation and story.

Definite ending is a must for a story.

TV News Reporting and Production MCM 516

All problems to be solved in the end

All characters accounted for what they have done.

A tragic or unhappy ending may be satisfactory if a moral can be deduced.

Policy matters to be dealt carefully.

Don'ts in script writing

Profanity and blasphemy

Vulgarity and obscenity

Belittling of any race or caste

Criticism on any religion or sect

Physical deformities not to be made humorous

Crime, murder and suicide to be discouraged

Degrading any colour or creed

Use of poor grammar

Offending humour

Offensive statements

Too talky script

Unintentional interruption to be avoided

Words with multiple meanings to be shunned

Characters

The writer of the script must also make each actor act in the way as the characters, are supposed to act in

real life and in the dialogues emotions must be brought to the viewers. They should speak in clearness

and directness.

Actor-proof script

The television script should be an "actor-proof" script, as it should be written in such a way that it can

not be misinterpreted by the performers so the sentences are good to be short, crisp, clear and simple.

Effects

The effects are the moods, emotions, gestures, original sound, music, whispers, exclamations and

questions.

Length

The story should be timed exactly and tempo must be maintained. Rehearsals are the source to measure

time and it can be increased or decreased accordingly.

Manuscript

The script should be legible and double-spaced with margins on sides. The characters, names, ages, type

of personality, place and location should be all well defined.

Submitting the manuscript

It should be well in time for the approval of the authorities in the organization or a television channel.

Script Paper

Traditionally, television scripts are prepared using a 2-column format with video descriptions on the left

side of the page, and audio on the right. Depending on the format of the program; news, interview, etc.,

the audio portion will vary from fully-scripted (every word spoken is written on the script), to semi-

scripted, or even an audio outline.

Camera Shot Sheet

Camera shot sheets are prepared from the finished script and are simply a breakdown for each camera

position, listing each camera's shots in order as they appear in the script. For instance, for a 4-camera

studio shoot you would generate four shot sheets--one for each camera.

TV News Reporting and Production MCM 516

Editing Log

The editing log is an essential part of preparation for post-production. Before you can begin to edit

video, you must have a clear understanding of the video and audio contained on your source videotapes.

Rather than watch and listen to your videotape and then attempt to recall from memory, the editing log

sheet allows you to jot down in and out points of all of your visual and auditory material, making notes

as to the usefulness of individual shots or sound bites. The use of SMPTE time code makes editing logs

all the more effective. Since time code is an absolute frame reference, all references to in or out points is

an absolutely reliable reference for finding that material again once you begin editing. S-VHS tapes

recorded in either of our camcorders or in our record VTR will be recorded with time code. Both the

playback VTR (AG-7650) and record VTR (AG-7750) will read time code or control track. For logging

at home, a VHS copy of your S-VHS source tapes can be made with a visual time code readout on

screen. Using this VHS window dub allows you to log your tapes, with the accuracy provided by time

code; in the comfort of your own living room (I love this business!).

Storyboard

The storyboard is a visual, shot-by-shot depiction of your project. Critical frames are sketched, much

like a comic strip, so that others (clients, crew, and financiers) can share, and hopefully approve, your

vision. Storyboards are commonly used for spot advertisements, promotional spots, and movies. I've

also included a "photo-board". This is created after-the-fact from actual frames from the project. In this

case it is not used for pre-production but rather for promotion after the project has been completed.

Fax Request

This has nothing to do with facsimile machines. The fax request is a form used to request facilities (fax)

for television production. Fax requests at TV are forwarded to the production manager and chief

engineer for approval. Once the fax request has been approved, you know that the studio, control room

and/or equipment requested are available for your use at the day and time requested. Although first-

come, first-serve is SOP, critical projects may bump others deemed to be less important.

Equipment Reservation Form

The equipment reservation form is used to reserve location gear (camcorder, lighting, tripod, etc.) and

editing suite time. It is simply a more streamlined fax request that requires that you answer a few

questions about your progress to date on the project under production.

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