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Program Title: How to make a studio program
Writer: (or Agency) David Evans
Production Date: 2/24/01
Prod/Dir: David Evans
Length: Approx. 5 min.
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THEME: UP AND UNDER
HOST:
The key to knowing how to direct a good
show is first how to write a good show. Our
guest for today will inform us about the
directing scripting style as it applies to COM
357 at WMU. Welcome to our show.
GUEST:
Thank you for having me.
HOST:
Explain a little about the scripting process.
GUEST:
Let me try to take you through it step by
step. Notice the first page heading at the top
of this page. Make sure that you follow it to
the letter. Note the information, how it is
underlined, the page number indication in
the upper right corner of the page. Take a
minute to look at the second page heading,
to understand how to do subsequent pages.
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HOST:
Yes, but what about the columns. I notice a
“notes” column, a “commands” column, and
the “audio” and “video” column.
GUEST:
Good question. The notes column is to help
you along as you direct. You know, as sort
of a reminder to certain points, like setting
up the first shots of the cameras, making
notes as to when to have the cameras move
to get a different shot… Stuff like that.
HOST:
Okay, but what about the “commands”
column.
GUEST:
This is one of the most important columns
for the director. This is almost a script for
you as you direct. Notice the “ready boxes”.
They hold all of the ready cues that will be
called. Notice the order. All audio cues are
first, talent cues are second and video cues
are third. The ready box can be positioned
well before the actual action cues on the
pages, because the ready box is to help the
crew members know what’s coming up next
regardless of how long it takes us to get to
that action.
HOST:
What about the action cues?
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GUEST:
Well, the actual cues can be in any order that
is most effective for the production.
However, the action cue is always last and it
rests on the “trigger line”. The trigger line
indicates at what exact point the action will
take place. For instance, If you want to roll
video and dissolve to that video. You would
want the “dissolve VTR” command to rest
on the trigger line. As you follow that line
over to the audio column, the word that is
boxed represents the actual word that the
action will take place on.
HOST:
Wow, that’s interesting. I also notice that
everything is in ink.
GUEST:
That’s right. Everything should either be
typed or in ink. It is often a good idea to
pencil in the commands and ink them later.
However, it doesn’t look as neat. Notice also
the language that is being used in the
commands column. It is important to have
terminology right. Directing language is
almost a language of its own. So the director
must know how to speak it.
HOST:
Tell me about the video column on the
adjacent page.
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GUEST:
Well that column indicates what type of
shot, video or still store is being transitioned
to. Notice that it is placed on the trigger line
to indicate that the particular video will take
place at that precise time. Also notice the
language used. The abbreviations “CU
Guest” for a close up on the guest and
“MCU Host” for medium close on the host,
for example, are being used. Things like “2
Shot” and “SS 1” for Still store #1 are
indicated. Video is also specified by saying
“script B-roll video” for example.
HOST:
Why so specific?
GUEST:
Well, director’s scripts need to be specific so
that anyone can just sit down and direct a
script. They need to be uniform so that we
all are on the same page, so to speak. It’s
kind of like when writing a letter. If you use
the letter “a” when you really mean “p” that
will confuse the reader because we all work
off of the same configuration of the
alphabet. It just wouldn’t make sense if
we’re not talking the same language.
HOST:
When you put it that way it makes sense.
Okay, what about the audio column?
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GUEST:
Well, the audio column is the only column
that must be typed, and typed throughout.
Notice the name titles. “GUEST:” is in all
caps and centered over the text. Notice the
colon after the name. Also notice how the
text is in upper/lower case. Music and sound
effects commands are in all caps and
underlined. Everything has to be in order on
a director’s script.
HOST:
Why is that?
GUEST:
Because the instructor will mark you down
if it isn’t. That’s not the only reason though.
The director must be organized, neat, and in
control. If the script is not in order, usually
the director isn’t either.
HOST:
Wow, this is good stuff. I’m told that you
have a short video clip explaining a little
more about the structure of a script. Let’s
take a look
THEME: OUT
VTR SOUND FULL
(VTR OUT CUE)…and that shows the basic
structure of a detailed director’s script.
Thank you for your time.
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HOST:
Wow, this is good stuff. Anything else to
add?
GUEST:
I can only say that when making a director’s
script for class. Pay attention to detail. The
flow of your show is important, but equally
important is the formatting of your script.
Notice the appropriate abbreviations,
language, and order. Follow these things to
the letter. When all is said and done, you
should have a script that you and your
instructor can be proud of. Also remember
that the audio column can be spaced out if it
will help the commands column fit in all of
the commands. You can also start the audio
column half way down the page to get all of
the necessary opening commands out. As a
director you know that there are several
commands to belt out at the beginning, so
plan for it.
THEME: UNDER
HOST:
Thanks for taking the time out of your busy
schedule to join us. All the information you
gave was helpful. That’s it for us, have a
great day.
NARRATOR:
(VO) If you are having problems with your
script or have questions with anything
mentioned in this program, feel free to
contact your instructor and ask any
questions. (MORE)
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NARRATOR: cont’
He would be happy to answer them. Also if
you want your script or any other print
material looked at before it is due, your
instructor will be happy to make sure that it
is perfect before you hand it in. For more
information about this program or if you’d
like to get a hold of your instructor, just call:
387-5063, use the email system at
david.evans@wmich.edu, or just schedule an
appointment with him. I’m sure he’d be
happy to go over any details with you. That
is it for our show. Join us next week when
we cover underwater nitting from a dunk
tank on the moon. Take care.