1. Two-column script Helpful /alternate 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 in MS Word to create a 2-column table

2. Video Audio VIDEO INSTRUCTIONS ALWAYS GO HERE. BE AS DETAILED AS POSSIBLE. VIDEO INSTRUCTIONS ARE USUALLY IN ALL CAPS. The audio portion of the script goes on the the script goes on the right hand side and is double spaced. (this includes dialogue, sound effects, music)

3. Video Audio additional directions should be listed in parentheses before the copy. Also, indicate who is speaking: narrator, character, etc…

4. Video Audio EACH BOX IN THE LEFT COLUMN SHOULD CONTAIN NO MORE THAN A SINGLE SHOT EACH SHOT MUST EXACTLY MATCH THE AUDIO (Special instructions include details about the audio: e.g., UP, UNDER, ESTABLISH) (Special instructions include details about the audio: e.g., UP, UNDER, ESTABLISH) Example___________ Example___________ (Theme music up, establish, then under) establish, then under) Narrator: Water - the single most important element on earth.

5. Video Audio ALSO IN THE LEFT COLUMN: SPECIFIC VISUAL DIRECTIONS (CUTS, DISSOLVES), GRAPHICS, TITLES, SPECIAL EFFECTS, LOWER THIRDS. ALSO IN THE LEFT COLUMN: SPECIFIC VISUAL DIRECTIONS (CUTS, DISSOLVES), GRAPHICS, TITLES, SPECIAL EFFECTS, LOWER THIRDS. Be as detailed as possible with instructions, music and sound effects Be as detailed as possible with instructions, music and sound effects Write out everything just as it is meant to be spoken aloud. Write out everything just as it is meant to be spoken aloud.

6. VIDEOAUDIO FADE UP ON AERIAL SHOT – BRYANT- DENNY STADIUM (MUSIC UP: “YEA ALABAMA”) DISSOLVE TO WS, DENNY CHIMES MUSIC CONTINUES DISSOLVE TO WS, REESE PHIFER HALL (MUSIC UNDER) NARRATOR: “One of the best kept secrets in higher education, the University of Alabama… Sample Script Page

7. Scripting notes Your script should effectively answer all important questions like who, what, when, where, how in a compact, visually interesting package. Should follow the inverted pyramid (see the next page!)

8. INVERTED PYRAMID Most news stories are written in the inverted pyramid style. This means all the important information—most of the 5 W’s—can be found in the lede. Information and quotes are added according to their importance. The least important information can be found at the bottom of the story, or pyramid.

9. Production Elements Dialogue / interview Action Reenactments Standup (speaking to camera) Soundbites (short interviews) Voice-Over with B-Roll Voice-over narration Sound effects / music