Format for Script Writing

The format for script writing for videos like movies, documentaries, music videos, commercials, and TV broadcasting varies. In general, those kinds of videos I mentioned use either two-column script or three-column script format. Movies however have different format. In movie, they call the script screenplay and screen writing has a different way in presenting the script.

Let's take a look first at the elements used making a format for script writing:

1. Title - the main title of the story or documentary. If it's a TV magazine program, it is the title of the segment.
2. Subtitle (optional) - This is the episode title if it's a TV magazine program.
3. TRT (Total Running Time) - the length of the video.
4. Video - the video shots that will be used. They are written according to their types of shot whether they are WS (Wide Shot), MS (Medium Shot), or CS (Close up Shot).
5. Audio - This includes all the sounds that will be used. There are two types which are the NatSot (natural sound) and SFX (sound effects).
6. Texts - all the text used such as captions and subtitles.
7. CGN (Cargen) - the name labels of the host/s taking or person/s talking during interviews.
8. GFX (Graphics) - Any graphics or animations used.

Okay, let's learn then the format for script writing in documentaries (this format for script writing is also what is being used for TV magazine programs, commercials, and music videos)

1. Narrative Scipt

This is simply the paragraph form script of the video. It is like the novels that we read out there. Since it is for video however, it is more concise in nature.

2. Two - column script (Audio - Video Script)

The script has the title, subtitle, and TRT in the heading. You may place also your name as the writer of the script and the date you wrote it. You can also include the name of the company here.

In the body, divide it into two columns. The first column contains the audio and the second the video. In the audio column, write all the dialogues, natural sounds and sound effects. On the other column which is the video, write all the videos, titles, and graphics that will be shown matching the audio in the first column.

3. Three - column script (Narration - Visual - Sound Script)

The heading in this format is just the same with the two - column script. In the body however, divide it into three columns. The first column has the narrations and dialogues, the second column includes all the visuals or the videos and graphics, then the third column contains the sounds which are the natural sounds and sound effects.

Okay, I hope you can pick up a format for script writing that you can use. As for me personally, I prefer using the narrative format then the two - column script. For me, two - column script is easier to use. In fact, it's the most common format for script writing that is being used.