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Script Format

Script Format Rubric

Outstanding

  • All script elements are complete and properly formatted
  • Script includes at least 8 visual elements and 8 audio elements
  • The script is clear, descriptive, and detailed
  • Grammar and punctuation are correct

Proficient

  • Most script elements are complete and properly formatted
  • Script includes at least 7 visual elements and 7 audio elements
  • The script is clear, but could use more description and detail
  • Grammar and punctuation are mostly correct with only minor errors

Basic

  • Some script elements are missing or not properly formatted
  • Script includes at least 6 visual elements and 6 audio elements
  • The script lacks clarity, description, and detail
  • Numerous grammar and punctuation errors

Insufficient

  • Missing multiple script elements
  • Script includes fewer than 5 visual elements and 5 audio elements
  • The script lacks clarity, description, and detail
  • Numerous grammar and punctuation errors including global errors

To complete this activity, follow the steps below. Click on links for help.

  1. Review the example VO script.
  2. Use this VO script template to create a script for a video about YMS that is between 30 seconds and 1 minute long. The first couple of shots have been completed for you. Make sure your script includes at least 8 visual and 8 audio elements.
  3. As a class, review the following two excerpts of actual scripts, paying attention to how the content is organized.
  4. Only if time permits: In pairs, annotate the Stand By Me excerpt with the names of the script sections. You will not turn this in on Google Classroom. The teacher will come around the room and check your annotated script.
  5. You will now create another script introducing YMS, but this time you will use the standard script format.
  6. Complete your own script for a 30 second to 1 minute video. This template has the first few seconds done for you.
  7. After finishing your script, peer review at least one of your classmates' scripts.
  8. Submit both your scripts to the same activity on Google Classroom.

Why are we doing this?

Scripts for everything from short home movies to professional advertisements to full blown Hollywood films need a good script. These scripts follow specific formats, and it is a couple of those formats that we'll be learning in this lesson.

A script is part of the pre-production process. A script is a way to formally plan what you're going to do in the production stage. Can you make a video without a script? Sure, it's possible, but it's much, much more difficult to make a good video without a script than with one.

Learning objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  1. Identify the main elements and their position in a standard script format.
  2. Identify the main elements and their position in a voice over (VO) script format.
  3. Apply styles to a standard script provided by the instructor in Microsoft Word (docx).
  4. Complete the missing elements of a standard script provided the by instructor (i.e., dialogue, action, parenthetical comments).
  5. Complete the missing elements of a VO script provided by the instructor (i.e., video and audio sections).

Please note that although you are encouraged to help each other with every aspect of this activity, you will each be turning in individual scripts. You will be turning in a total of two, one-page scripts for this activity.

Step One: VO script format

As a class, review the example VO script. Notice how each section is used.

Step Two: Complete a VO script

As a class, we will brainstorm possible pictures and video clips of our campus we might use for a short video about YMS.

Next, use the VO script template below to create a script for a video about YMS that is between 30 seconds and 1 minute long. Your script should include all elements, including time stamp (estimated), video information, and VO content. Make sure your script includes at least 8 visual and 8 audio elements.

You will be turning this script in on Google Classroom.

Remember that you can help each other as much as you like, but you each need to turn in your own script. It's OK if you use the same content as those you help.

VO script template

Step Three: Standard script format

As a class, review the following two excerpts of actual scripts, paying attention to the different sections, how they are placed on the page, and how they are used.

Only if time permits: In pairs, annotated the Stand By Me excerpt with the names of the script sections. You will not turn this in on Google Classroom. The teacher will come around the room and check your annotated script.

Step Four: Complete a script

You will now create another script introducing YMS, but this time you will use the standard script format.

As a class, we will brainstorm possible video clips that might be used in addition to the pictures we identified previously. It's OK if you use the exact same content you did on your previous script. You'll just be putting it in a different format. But you may also choose to use different shots or video clips. Also, your dialogue can be VO or it can be the lines that your subject in a video clip would speak.

Download the docx file and open it on your PC in Microsoft Word. You will be able to use the embedded styles as demonstrated by the instructor. If you open the file in Google Docs, you will have to format the script manually. It is strongly recommended that you use the provided styles using Word.

As a class, we will complete the first elements together so you can clearly see how the styles are applied and what your options are regarding VO vs spoken lines.

Complete your own script for a 45 second to 1 minute video. Make sure your script includes at least 6 visual and 6 audio elements. For the standard script format, visual content is defined in the SCENE HEADING, ACTION, and PARENTHETICAL sections, and audio content is defined in the DIALOGUE and ACTION (as music, sounds, etc.) sections.

You will be turning this script in on Google Classroom.

After completing your script, share it with those in your sector. Each sector then chooses at least one script from the sector to share with the class.

Standard script template

Step Five: Submit scripts on Google Classroom

Submit both your scripts to the same activity on Google Classroom.

Need a challenge?

Try any of the following:

  • Learn more about and practice using styles in Microsoft Word or another editor. You can also learn about using styles in web design (css). Here's a good place to start!
  • You've just finished a non-fictional introduction to YMS. Why not try to write a short fictional skit that takes place at YMS?
  • With the permission of the teacher, use a camera to record some of the video clips for your script.
  • Check out using text-to-speech engines for your VO. You can find some options on this page.

REFERENCES

StudioBinder. (2020). Explore and Read the Best Free Movie Scripts Online. https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/best-free-movie-scripts-online/.



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