Production Diaries #2: How to write scripts for your video
Do you know what the most important part of your video is? Believe it or not it’s the script! Need to write scripts for your video but don’t know where to start?
Don’t worry, a lot of people feel that way!
For many people the idea of writing a script for video can be overwhelming. Even though you are an expert in your business, the task can be daunting. It should be easy, right? Wrong!
As part of our work, we write scripts all the time. Our experience in working with scripts usually falls into one of three scenarios: We write from talking points, we rewrite supplied drafts, or our clients write their own.
If you’re trying to figure out how to get started, or trying to figure out which scenario best describes you, then we have some examples below that might help!
Scenario 1: I know my messages, but I don’t want to write it or have time to write it myself.
If you know the basic messages that need to be conveyed, try working from a couple of sentences or a bullet-list. When working on a project for Handi-Ramp’s new Window Well Guards, we had their marketing person fill out a questionnaire regarding the goals, message and audience for the video. After reviewing the responses, we had a discussion about tone and other questions and from there we wrote the script. Once written, we submitted it to the client to review. (Flexibility is key during this stage.) We responded to client feedback by tweaking and rewriting as necessary. Once approved, we created the video.
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Scenario 2: I’m pretty confident in my writing, but I want your help with my draft.
This is great – you’re ready to write up a draft script! You’ll massage the messages and edit for time, and we’ll give your draft some help. Working together with a scriptwriter can make your video even better! When we worked with Shared Imaging, their agency sent us a prose form script that encompassed everything they wanted to say. It was a good place for us to start. It had the information we needed, but it was too long and tried to convey too many messages for a single video. We rewrote it to fit the one minute targeted length of the video, and it was a success.
Thanks for reporting a problem. We’ll attach technical data about this session to help us figure out the issue. Which of these best describes the problem?
Any other details or context?
Scenario 3: I got this!
You’ve done this before, perhaps? Or, maybe you’re talented with words – either way, awesome! In this scenario, it may be best to invest time in a brainstorming session or two with your video production team. The Marketing Director from Disk.com falls into this third scenario. He wrote their script and it was written in the right voice for the on-camera presenter. Jason was a natural lead on that script because he knew what his company’s messaging was and he knew what he wanted the owner to say. That script focused on a segment of their high-profile client base whose products serve others. Disk.com is a printing and duplicating service but they were celebrating the ways their clients reach out to the community while telling a story of what they do.
Thanks for reporting a problem. We’ll attach technical data about this session to help us figure out the issue. Which of these best describes the problem?
Any other details or context?
Scripts are an important part of the video making process. The tighter the script the better prepared everyone is for the shoot. And yet it’s important to know that even with the tightest script, changes can be made on the day of a shoot. Once words are said aloud, we sometimes hear the message differently and have to reword a sentence or cut something that is repetitive. And so we often find ourselves rewriting lines on a day of shoot, finding the best way to impart the message that the client wants to capture on video.
No matter who you work with or what scenario you find yourself in, a solid video production team will understand the need to be flexible while ensuring that the script and the video conveys your message.
