WRITING FOR NEW MEDIA
Module 12
The AV Script: Format
Objectives
- Introduce the format for audio-video (AV) scripts.
- Discuss the important aspects of the AV Script in terms of format.
Methods
- Walk-Through.
- Sample scripts.
Introduction
As the audio-visual script is the kind that you will encounter for many projects, including but not limited to event programs, corporate presentations, project pitches, advertisement scripts, and documentaries, you need to familiarize yourself with its format.
What is unique for this particular script is that you are working with two columns, which divides your content between Audio and Video.
The Audio column describes everything that your audience will hear:
- What the voice over will say (VO, if you’re using one), or
- what your host will say (if you have a host);
- music or
- sound effects (SFX); or
- even when it’s just ambient sound or the natural sound from your video (NATSOT).
The Video column describes everything that your audience will see on the screen:
- your host (if you have one);
- graphics (GFX) (including names of guests, or locations);
- stock video footage or pre-existing interviews (make sure to credit sources);
- original video footage or original interviews (make sure you can actually take these).
The video column requires that you describe in detail what the shots look like, for example, whether it’s inside a dwelling or outside (INT vs EXT), or if it’s a close up shot (CU), or a medium shot (MS).
Important Notes: Time Stamps and Alignment
Across the Audio and Video columns, two things are important to remember.
First, you must ensure ALIGNMENT of your content, which means that whenever there is something being said in the audio column, your audience needs to be seeing something on the screen; and every time you have video showing on your video column, your audience needs to be hearing something.
Second, you need to make sure that you keep track of time. This is what timestamps are for, and this means that you are actually reading your script out loud and timing yourself to make sure that what you’re writing can be said by your host or VO within the given time you set.
Form and Content
Thinking in two columns means always being aware that what you have on one side is also what you have on the other. At no time should there be an unintentional blank screen, and at no time should there be complete and utter silence. Something you always need to remind yourself about is the principle of Audio-Video Lock. This means that these two are always in sync, and always work together in delivering your story.
Activity
Using what you’ve written in your AV Concept Worksheet, you can now start writing your script. Make sure to watch the supplementary videos, so you know how to transform what you said in your worksheet to what you do in your script. Here is also the link to the Handout of Terms. Good luck! ***