Transcript Video Audio

Two-column script
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Helpful /alternate means of organizing shots
and video
ALL VIDEO information goes in the left column
ALL AUDIO information goes in the right
column
Be as detailed as possible
Use the ‘table’ function in MS Word to create a
2-column table
Video
VIDEO
INSTRUCTIONS
ALWAYS GO
HERE. BE AS
DETAILED AS
POSSIBLE. VIDEO
INSTRUCTIONS
ARE USUALLY IN
ALL CAPS.
Audio
The audio portion of
the script goes on the
right hand side and is
double spaced. (this
includes dialogue,
sound effects, music)
Video
Audio
additional directions
should be listed in
parentheses before the
copy.
Also, indicate who is
speaking: narrator,
character, etc…
Video
EACH BOX IN THE
LEFT COLUMN
SHOULD CONTAIN
NO MORE THAN A
SINGLE SHOT
EACH SHOT MUST
EXACTLY MATCH
THE AUDIO
Audio
(Special instructions
include details about
the audio: e.g., UP,
UNDER, ESTABLISH)
 Example___________
(Theme music up,
establish, then under)
Narrator: Water - the
single most important
element on earth.
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Video
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ALSO IN THE LEFT
COLUMN: SPECIFIC
VISUAL DIRECTIONS
(CUTS, DISSOLVES),
GRAPHICS, TITLES,
SPECIAL EFFECTS,
LOWER THIRDS.
Audio
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Be as detailed as
possible with
instructions, music
and sound effects
Write out everything
just as it is meant to
be spoken aloud.
Sample Script Page
VIDEO
AUDIO
FADE UP ON AERIAL
SHOT – BRYANTDENNY STADIUM
(MUSIC UP: “YEA
ALABAMA”)
DISSOLVE TO WS,
DENNY CHIMES
DISSOLVE TO WS,
REESE PHIFER HALL
MUSIC CONTINUES
(MUSIC UNDER)
NARRATOR: “One of the
best kept secrets in higher
education, the University
of Alabama…
Scripting notes
Your script should effectively answer all
important questions like who, what,
when, where, how in a compact, visually
interesting package.
 Should follow the inverted pyramid (see
the next page!)
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INVERTED PYRAMID
Most news stories are written in the inverted pyramid style. This means all the important
information—most of the 5 W’s—can be found in the lede. Information and quotes are added
according to their importance. The least important information can be found at the bottom of
the story, or pyramid.
Production Elements
Dialogue / interview
 Action
 Reenactments
 Standup (speaking to camera)
 Soundbites (short interviews)
 Voice-Over with B-Roll
 Voice-over narration
 Sound effects / music
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