Two-column script format
Updated July 3, 2006
Video Scripts
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A variety of script formats are used.
Most follow certain guidelines but may vary
depending upon the organization.
Screenwriting, Broadcast Journalism and
Writing for Electronic Media cover writing in
much more detail.
Brief overview of 2 column format
Two-column script
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Helpful means of organizing shots and video
ALL VIDEO information goes in the left column
ALL AUDIO information goes in the right column
Be as detailed as possible
Use the ‘table’ function of your word processor
to create a 2-column table
Video
VIDEO
INSTRUCTIONS
ALWAYS GO
HERE. BE AS
DETAILED AS
POSSIBLE. VIDEO
INSTRUCTIONS
ARE IN ALL CAPS.
Audio
The audio portion of
the script goes on the
right hand side and is
double spaced.
Video
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Audio
2-COLUMN FORMAT
TIP: CREATE A 2COLUMN SCRIPT BY
USING THE TABLE
FUNCTION IN YOUR
WORD
PROCESS. CHOOSE A
2-COLUMN TABLE
WITH 15-20
ROWS. ADD ROWS AS
NEEDED.
Any additional
directions
should be listed in
parentheses before the
copy.
Also, indicate who is
speaking: narrator,
character, etc…
Video
EACH BOX IN THE
LEFT COLUMN
SHOULD CONTAIN
NO MORE THAN A
SINGLE SHOT
EACH SHOT MUST
EXACTLY MATCH
THE AUDIO
Audio
(Special instructions
include details about
the audio: e.g., UP,
UNDER, ESTABLISH)
 Example___________
(Theme music up,
establish, then under)
Narrator: Water - the
single most important
element on earth.
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Video
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ALSO IN THE LEFT
COLUMN: SPECIFIC
VISUAL DIRECTIONS
(CUTS, DISSOLVES),
GRAPHICS, TITLES,
SPECIAL EFFECTS,
Lower Thirds (NAME
AND TITLE).
Audio
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Be as detailed as
possible with
instructions, music
and sound effects
Write out everything
just as it is meant to
be spoken aloud.
Keep script
conversational
Sample Script Page
VIDEO
AUDIO
XLS - HOGGARD HALL,
CANNON IN
FOREGROUND
DISSOLVE TO MS,
BURNEY FOUNTAIN
DISSOLVE TO CU
SPIRIT ROCK
(MUSIC UP: Faber
College Theme)
MUSIC CONTINUES
(MUSIC UNDER)
NARRATOR: “One of the
best kept secrets in higher
education, the University
of North Carolina at
Wilmington, has been…
Scripting notes
Narration, dialog should be as
conversational as possible and
appropriate for the characters
 Strive for natural flow and read copy
aloud once written
 Contractions, informal verbiage
acceptable if appropriate for topic
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Scripting notes
A great deal of information can be
communicated in 30 seconds
 Scripts must be 30 seconds, no more
(read them aloud)
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Scripting notes
TV is a visual medium, don’t be afraid to
exploit this and create visually stimulating
messages
 Music and sound effects are also of
incredible importance, use them when
appropriate
 Just like advertising, one key goal is to
“break through the clutter”
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Storyboard
•Visual representation of the script
•Pictures are added to the script to ‘show’
what the video/film scenes will look like
•Usually 4 or 6 to a page - key visuals in the
‘box,’ key audio on the lines below or next to
the frame
Storyboard
•Range from single page for a 30 second PSA
hundreds of frames for a film.
•May be on standard paper or on foam-core
posterboard.
•Useful means of envisioning the concept.
•Range from rough sketches to polished drawings
or photographs.
Client: UNCW Student Productions Campaign: “You Need Us”
Title: Full Service
Sept. 17, 2002
Theme music, UP, then
UNDER. “UNCW Student
TV productions”
…we can get your message
across.
“Narr.: Your one-stop video
production source.
UNCW Student Productions
- a full service company
From planning to
editing …
Because so much is riding on
your video.” (A subsidiary of
Gene’s Tire and Auto)
Storyboards
Adjust format as needed
 Print on 8.5x11” paper for this course
(commercial presentations may differ)
 Be enterprising in making your storyboard
look professional - it also must be
persuasive (like the proposal)
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