Media Toolkit: script writing
A good script is quite an expected requirement for a high quality video – but, when the time to start writing actually comes, it can be intimidating.
‘’Killing your darlings’’
Sometimes you will feel what doesn’t feel right among the other subjects and needs to be eliminated while you’re compiling your outline – sometimes you will realize it only later, for ex., when writing your script or maybe even in the production process. Even though this is natural, it is always true that the better you prepare during the pre-production phase of the video, the less work there will be in the later phases.
To determine ahead of time what to keep and what to sweep, think about which topics are 1) relevant enough to be talked about (do they support/aid your argument?) and 2) suitable in terms of their complexity (can they be comprehensively discussed and fit into the time frame of your video?). So – be meticulous, plan out what you will talk about in as much detail as you can and, when you get a hunch, be realistic in eliminating the ideas you feel are of lesser significance to the final product. So in short, with every element you must consider: does it contribute to the goals I determined and is it relevant for my target audience?
- resources for help with writing
- https://communities.surf.nl/media-education/artikel/opnamen-voorbereiden-door-het-maken-van-een-script Links to an external site. (in Dutch)
- Media Toolkit: language recommendations
- https://rapidmooc.com/blog/how-to-write-a-training-video-script-step-by-step-guide/ Links to an external site. (in English)
- https://www.techsmith.com/blog/how-to-write-script-for-video/ Links to an external site. (in English)
The main takeaways:
Set a goal/objective;
Write an outline;
Craft an attention-grabbing introduction;
Keep the script action-driven;
Structure the script and break it up into segments;
Use concrete examples/evidence, personal stories;
Scrutinize irrelevant information
At the end, include a ''call to action''.