When you picture a video production, what’s the first thing you think of? Lights, cameras, green[MA1] screens? Those aspects are all crucial for the process, but the concept and the supporting message is the true heart and soul of almost any production—the quality of a script can make or break your video. An effective script is clear, concise and engaging. It delivers a message while stirring emotion, ideally inspiring the viewer to take action. In this blog, we analyze the elements of a great script and how we can help ensure your words work in tandem with your visuals.
Lay the Groundwork in the Planning Stage
Before you start typing away, there are a few factors you need to consider. What is the goal of the video? Who is the intended audience? What is the budget? Is your concept a presentation or a promotion? Answering these questions is the basis of the planning stage, which will help you determine the type of video you should create. Here are the main elements you should consider:
- The audience. Define who you want to reach. While it may be tempting to cast a wide net, you’ll get better results by targeting a smaller, more specific audience.
- The goal. Create a call to action (CTA) that can elicit a response. Your CTA depends on what action you want viewers to take as well as the key performance indicators you will use to track your success.
- The intention. In a single sentence, you should be able to explain why your audience should watch the video. Make the intention specific.
Putting Pen to Paper: Scriptwriting Tips
Now that you’ve finished the planning stage and decided what type of video you’re going to create, it’s time to start writing. A script will greatly vary from a testimonial to an interview to a heartfelt narrative, but here are some tips that can apply to any message.
- Hook them from the start. Your intro must be engaging and grab the viewer’s attention, while ultimately making the video’s intention clear. It’s also a good idea to bring it “full circle” with your conclusion—in a way that ties back to the theme or concept your intro established, remind viewers why they should act.
- Describe both the visual and audio elements. In addition to the spoken words, think of the script as a set of directions for whoever is shooting and/or editing the video. The team needs to know exactly what is happening with both the visual and audio elements so they can work in tandem.
- Write it the way you would say it. If your script is repurposing other written content, it won’t work to simply regurgitate that content word-for-word. Copy intended for voicing needs to sound natural for spoken delivery; otherwise, it won’t sound natural in the final product.
- Write it long and trim to fit! It’s always better to have too much content than not enough. You should figure roughly 125 to 150 words per minute, whether they’re written for voicing or spoken in an interview sound bite.
Reach Out Today!
Need help with scriptwriting or any of the other steps in the production process? So much of the important work on a production takes place behind the scenes—our studio offers the perfect facility to record audio, shoot video and edit your final piece. We can also help to bring any creative vision to life with our scriptwriting services through our agency partner, Market Mentors. Reach out to us today and discover how we can take your scripts to the next level.
