1. How to Write a Script Script Elements
Documentary Planning
How to Write a Script
Script Elements

2. How to Use This PowerPoint
As a planning guide:
As you plan out your documentary, use these slides.
Answer any questions in detail right on the slide.

3. How to Submit This PowerPoint
Save the PowerPoint
The file name should be LAST names.FIRST name.class#.Script planning.
it to or airdrop it.

4. Script Elements
You will be planning:
Story
Visuals
Sound

5. Story Elements - Plot summary
On this slide, briefly summarize your plot. Remember – a plot has a beginning, middle and end. What is your main idea? How will you present it?

6. Story Elements - Backstory
What background that occurred before the start of your film might the audience need to know?

7. Story Elements - the Beginning
A good beginning:
Creates an audiovisual “hook”. What will be your hook?

8. Story Elements - the Beginning
A good beginning:
Establishes the core assertion of the film. What is the purpose/thesis of your film? (Write it as though you were writing a thesis statement for an essay.)

9. Story Elements - the Beginning
A good beginning:
Creates curiosity among the audience. How will you do this?

10. Story Elements - Beginning
A good beginning:
Shows change or the promise of change. What change are you advocating?

11. Story Elements - Beginning
A good beginning:
Creates the element of consequence - cause and effect directs the audience and increases understanding. What cause and effect might you use?

12. The beginning: Inciting incident
Inciting Incident causes conflict, causes change
What is YOUR inciting incident? (Note: sometimes this is your hook as well.)

13. Story Elements - the Middle - Common Issues
Concept, idea, thought - each sequence is related through common issues. What are the common issues?

14. Story Elements - the Middle - Opposing Viewpoints
What are the opposing viewpoints you will use?

15. Story Elements - Middle - Settings
Setting - use common locations or different locations within a common, larger setting. What settings will you use?

16. Story Elements - Middle - Mood
Mood - can make sequences relate to each other - comparison OR contrast. Can you get the audience emotionally involved? What mood(s) will you utilize?

17. Story Elements - Middle Pacing
How will you pace your film? Linear? Non-linear time? (See your notes from previous lessons.)
If non-linear: Scriptwriter must know audience well in order to use non-linear. Why will this work for your audience?

18. Story Elements - The Middle: Pacing
Transitions - What ones will you use? Visual? Sound?

19. Story Elements - The End
The End: Must be inevitable and unexpected. Which type will you use?
Two types of ending:
Closed end - all questions and emotions raised in story are satisfied. No doubt or question is left.
Open end - leaves one or more questions unanswered, some emotions unfulfilled. Does NOT leave audience hanging, but offers alternatives and choice.

20. Story Elements - POV
Plot: The Point of View (POV) determines the narration.
Which will you use?
First person POV is most common. Characters talk in terms of “I”, film records their experiences through their eyes.
Second person POV - narration directly addresses audience as “you”- often used in television video magazines and news stories
Third person POV - more common in classical documentaries. Told from perspective of someone unknown by audience, a “god-like” omnipresent person.

21. Story Elements - POV Plot: Point of View
Who is telling the story to the audience?

22. Visual Elements - plan yours!
Visual elements: The Sequence - What type(s) of sequences will you use? Describe them. When will you use them?

23. Identify & Plan Other Visual Elements you could use:
The Montage:
Talking Heads:

24. Identify & Plan Other Visual Elements you could use:
Archival film footage or photographs.
Graphics
Ranactment

25. Identify & Plan Other Visual Elements you could use:
Visual Metaphors: Describe ones you might use.
Special effects

26. Sound Elements - what will you use? Give examples:
Narrative commentary
Voice over
Talking heads
Music
Ambiance sound
Sound effects
Silence