TELEVISION SCRIPTS

Script Style

  • Talent instructions are single-spaced, capitalized, and put in parenthesis. (Generally not used in news.)
  • Double-space between all speaker, video and audio changes.
  • Speakers names are all in caps.
  • Put only one spot or news story on a page.
  • Write on only one side of the page.
  • Audio copy is doubled-spaced, and in upper and lower case.
  • Video Instructions are single-spaced and capitalized.
  • Sound effects and music instructions are single-spaced, underlined and capitalized.

Audio and Video Directions

  • VO: Voice-over. The anchor/reporter provides narration while video from the shot is played.
  • SOT: Sound-on-tape. Video in which all sound is from the shot, whether it is from an interview or coverage of a news event.
  • CG: Character-generated type, typically used to identify a speaker.
  • Est. LS: Establishing long shot, used to show the entire physical context of the scene, including important figures, objects, and setting.
  • LS: Long shot. A standing person appears entirely visible.
  • MLS: Medium long shot. Shot from a distance in which an object about four or five feet high fills much of the screen.
  • MS: Medium shot. The scale of an object is of moderate size; a human figure seen from the waist up fills most of the screen.
  • MCU: Medium close-up. A person seen from the chest up fills most of the screen.
  • CU: Close-up. A person's head seen from the neck up fills most of the screen.

Punctuation
Use punctuation to show your on-air talent/reporter when to start and stop and to show emphasis.

Underlining

Underline words that you want your on-air talent to emphasize: “The sale prices are good only for this weekend.”

Abbreviations

Write out all words - do not use abbreviations. When working under deadline pressure, do not assume your talent will easily be able to remember the full word. For example, "Avenue" for "Ave." and "Company" for "Co."

TELEVISION SCRIPTS continued

Television Script Sample

VIDEO / AUDIO
1. OPEN ON LS. THREE WOMEN IN
JOGGING SUITS RUNNING DOWN
THE STREET, TURNING A CORNER. / BRIGHT, PERKY MUSIC UP AND
UNDER
2. CUT TO MS. THREE WOMEN
RUNNING IN A ROW. / VOICE OVER: Hey! That was just a little
something to start your morning off and
here's something else...

Reference:

Categories / Level 4 (80 – 89%) / Level 3 (70 – 79%) / Level 2 (60 – 69%) / Level 1 (50 – 59%)

KNOWLEDGE / UNDERSTANDING

Audience Appeal
(Creative, Punchy and captures attention of Audience). / Exceeded expectations. Script displays excellent knowledge of target audience. / Considerable understanding of target audiences; communicates a message to the target audience that is effective. / Shows some understanding of target audiences; content partially matches the target audience. / Shows little understanding of target audiences; content does not match the target audience.
THINKING / INQUIRY
Creativity
(The script for the video production shows creativity and will stand out when aired). / The creativity evident in the script exceeds expectations, new and original ideas are utilized making the commercial stand out. / Script shows considerable creativity and originality / Script shows some creativity and originality. / Script shows limited creativity and originality.

COMMUNICATION

Story Construction
(The script is styled and formatted using the techniques taught in class) / Shows exceptional understanding of script format and story telling for television. / Shows considerable understanding of script format and story telling for television. / Script shows moderate understanding of script format and story telling for television. / Shows limited understanding of script format and story telling for television.

APPLICATION

Formatting
(Script is correctly formatted on each page) / The script is perfectly formatted. No errors have been made in the formatting of the script. / The script is correctly formatted. Few errors have been made in the formatting of the script / Script shows some understanding of correct formatting techniques. A few mistakes are evident that might make it hard to read and complicate production. / Script shows limited understanding of correct formatting techniques. Mistakes are evident that could make it hard to read and complicate production.
Project Management
(Demonstrate the time management and problem-solving skills required to
ensure that the production meets client deadlines) / Submitted the script early. / Submitted the script at the beginning of the class on the due date / Submitted the script at the end of class on the due date / Submitted the script one or two days late.

MarkvilleSecondary SchoolTGJ4M1 (Grade 12 ComTech)