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SCRIPT WRITING:Elements of a successful story, Characters, Effects

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TV News Reporting and Production ­ MCM 516
VU
LESSON 06
SCRIPT WRITING
The script writing is an important step in the production of any television programme and the producer
should choose such an author having the knowledge of writing a screenplay. The subjects for the TV
production should be one not treated in book. The writer should have the mental images built on
remembrance of scenes and experience that help to visualize and create the scenery. He or she must
have "eye of mind" and be capable of making mental pictures.
The plot of any story, drama, novel, or play has following basic ingredients
Introduction:
beginning
Complication:
development of complications
Culmination:
climax of conflict
Solution:
resolution of issues
Conclusion:
ending
The writer should keep in mind that the characters must be intensely human, close to real life and day-
to-day situations. More universal the theme, greater is the audience. A good author has a study of lives
of those who will be the audience so he or she should develop the ability to write dialogue by listening
to the conversation of those particular people.
A good script has following components:
Purpose
to justify its viewer-ship
Simplicity
to make it look true
Familiarity
to be directly communicable
The situations in the play should be easily assimilated and there must not be any loophole in the story.
The conflict and then the resolution, setting the problem, explanation of factors involved all should be
weaved properly. There are as many stories as many of persons, where you find a human being, and you
find a drama there.
Elements of a successful story
Extraordinary swiftness
Economy of words
Rapid development of situation
Promise of future development
Immediate attention
Powerful atmosphere
Striking characterization
Intriguing unusual setting
Extremely usual setting
Do's in script writing
Opening should be catchy to hold the audience
The style, diction and contents should introduce the play
Logical development of the story is necessary
Tempo to be fast
Planned forward action
Element of suspense is vital.
Surprise grabs the attention.
Language should be used according to situation and story.
Definite ending is a must for a story.
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TV News Reporting and Production ­ MCM 516
VU
All problems to be solved in the end
All characters accounted for what they have done.
A tragic or unhappy ending may be satisfactory if a moral can be deduced.
Policy matters to be dealt carefully.
Don'ts in script writing
Profanity and blasphemy
Vulgarity and obscenity
Belittling of any race or caste
Criticism on any religion or sect
Physical deformities not to be made humorous
Crime, murder and suicide to be discouraged
Degrading any colour or creed
Use of poor grammar
Offending humour
Offensive statements
Too talky script
Unintentional interruption to be avoided
Words with multiple meanings to be shunned
Characters
The writer of the script must also make each actor act in the way as the characters, are supposed to act in
real life and in the dialogues emotions must be brought to the viewers. They should speak in clearness
and directness.
Actor-proof script
The television script should be an "actor-proof" script, as it should be written in such a way that it can
not be misinterpreted by the performers so the sentences are good to be short, crisp, clear and simple.
Effects
The effects are the moods, emotions, gestures, original sound, music, whispers, exclamations and
questions.
Length
The story should be timed exactly and tempo must be maintained. Rehearsals are the source to measure
time and it can be increased or decreased accordingly.
Manuscript
The script should be legible and double-spaced with margins on sides. The characters, names, ages, type
of personality, place and location should be all well defined.
Submitting the manuscript
It should be well in time for the approval of the authorities in the organization or a television channel.
Script Paper
Traditionally, television scripts are prepared using a 2-column format with video descriptions on the left
side of the page, and audio on the right. Depending on the format of the program; news, interview, etc.,
the audio portion will vary from fully-scripted (every word spoken is written on the script), to semi-
scripted, or even an audio outline.
Camera Shot Sheet
Camera shot sheets are prepared from the finished script and are simply a breakdown for each camera
position, listing each camera's shots in order as they appear in the script. For instance, for a 4-camera
studio shoot you would generate four shot sheets--one for each camera.
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TV News Reporting and Production ­ MCM 516
VU
Editing Log
The editing log is an essential part of preparation for post-production. Before you can begin to edit
video, you must have a clear understanding of the video and audio contained on your source videotapes.
Rather than watch and listen to your videotape and then attempt to recall from memory, the editing log
sheet allows you to jot down in and out points of all of your visual and auditory material, making notes
as to the usefulness of individual shots or sound bites. The use of SMPTE time code makes editing logs
all the more effective. Since time code is an absolute frame reference, all references to in or out points is
an absolutely reliable reference for finding that material again once you begin editing. S-VHS tapes
recorded in either of our camcorders or in our record VTR will be recorded with time code. Both the
playback VTR (AG-7650) and record VTR (AG-7750) will read time code or control track. For logging
at home, a VHS copy of your S-VHS source tapes can be made with a visual time code readout on
screen. Using this VHS window dub allows you to log your tapes, with the accuracy provided by time
code; in the comfort of your own living room (I love this business!).
Storyboard
The storyboard is a visual, shot-by-shot depiction of your project. Critical frames are sketched, much
like a comic strip, so that others (clients, crew, and financiers) can share, and hopefully approve, your
vision. Storyboards are commonly used for spot advertisements, promotional spots, and movies. I've
also included a "photo-board". This is created after-the-fact from actual frames from the project. In this
case it is not used for pre-production but rather for promotion after the project has been completed.
Fax Request
This has nothing to do with facsimile machines. The fax request is a form used to request facilities (fax)
for television production. Fax requests at TV are forwarded to the production manager and chief
engineer for approval. Once the fax request has been approved, you know that the studio, control room
and/or equipment requested are available for your use at the day and time requested. Although first-
come, first-serve is SOP, critical projects may bump others deemed to be less important.
Equipment Reservation Form
The equipment reservation form is used to reserve location gear (camcorder, lighting, tripod, etc.) and
editing suite time. It is simply a more streamlined fax request that requires that you answer a few
questions about your progress to date on the project under production.
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Table of Contents:
  1. CREATIVITY AND IDEA GENERATION FOR TELEVISION:Video Procedures
  2. PRE-REQUISITES OF A CREATIVE PRODUCER/DIRECTOR:SET-UP RESPONSIBILITIES
  3. REFINING AN IDEA FOR PRODUCTION:Drama, Magazine Shows, Documentary
  4. CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT:Variable. Pure and applied research
  5. RESEARCH AND REVIEWS:Research Procedure, Review of available literature
  6. SCRIPT WRITING:Elements of a successful story, Characters, Effects
  7. PRE-PRODUCTION PHASE:Indoor production, Outdoor production, Essentials of PBE
  8. SELECTION OF REQUIRED CONTENT AND TALENT:Camera rehearsal
  9. PROGRAMME PLANNING:Checklist, Electronic Field Production (EFP)
  10. PRODUCTION PHASE:Floor plan, Traditional set, Representational set, Design elements
  11. CAMERA WORK:Movement of lens of camera, Types of shots
  12. LIGHT AND AUDIO:Importance of sound in TV, Use of microphone, Loudness
  13. DAY OF RECORDING/PRODUCTION:Rehearsals,Point to ponder
  14. LINEAR EDITING AND NLE:Episode, Scene, Editing, Production Switcher
  15. MIXING AND USES OF EFFECTS:Live Sound Effects, ARROW STRIKING
  16. SELECTION OF THE NEWS:Elements of news, Timeliness, proximity
  17. WRITING OF THE NEWS:The inverted pyramid, Lead, Credit line
  18. EDITING OF THE NEWS:Characteristics of good news:Process of editing a news
  19. COMPILATION OF NEWS BULLETIN:Hard news, Soft news, Investigative report
  20. PRESENTATION OF NEWS BULLETIN
  21. MAKING SPECIAL BULLETINS:Agriculture, Show biz, Fashion, Drama
  22. TECHNICAL CODES, TERMINOLOGY, AND PRODUCTION GRAMMAR
  23. TYPES OF TV PRODUCTION:Magazine Shows, Specific audience programming
  24. DRAMA AND DOCUMENTARY:Documentary film, Defining documentary
  25. SOURCES OF TV NEWS:Reporters, Correspondents, Monitoring, News Agency
  26. FUNCTIONS OF A REPORTER
  27. BEATS OF REPORTING:City reporter, Social reporters, Show-biz reporter
  28. STRUCTURE OF NEWS DEPARTMENT:Beat Reporters, Online media
  29. ELECTRONIC FIELD PRODUCTION:Sports, Electronic news gathering
  30. LIVE TRANSMISSIONS:Studio floor, Switcher, Master control room, Camera control units
  31. QUALITIES OF A NEWS PRODUCER:Determination, Awareness, Sharp an active
  32. DUTIES OF A NEWS PRODUCER
  33. ASSIGNMENT/NEWS EDITOR:Accuracy, Fairness and Reliability, Conflict
  34. SHOOTING A NEWS FILM:The Influence of telecast News
  35. PREPARATION OF SPECIAL REPORTS:Uncovering Truth, Reportage
  36. INTERVIEWS, VOX POPS AND PUBLIC OPINIONS:INTERVIEW, Information
  37. BACK GROUND VOICE AND VOICE OVER:Natural or Raw Sound, Sound Effects
  38. SPOKEN WORDS AND RELEVANT VISUALS:Digital Audio, Quantizing Error
  39. TALK SHOWS, FORUMS AND DISCUSSION PROGRAMMES
  40. FUNCTIONS OF VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS OF A TV SET UP
  41. PROGRAMMES DEPARTMENT:Program content, Television series by genre
  42. NEWS AND CURRENT AFFAIRS THE PROGRAMMING & SCHEDULING
  43. COORDINATION AMONG DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS OF TELEVISION
  44. COORDINATION AMONG DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS OF TELEVISION - 2 SUB-DEPARTMENTS AND SMALL SECTIONS
  45. COORDINATION AMONG DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS OF TELEVISION 3