Writing Television Script

Planning is an essential part of a serious production, and the script forms the basis for that plan. The script usually begins the production process.

 Scripts do the following:

• To Help the director

1.    clarify ideas and develop a project that successfully communicates to the viewers.

2.    coordinate the entire production team.

3.    determine what resources will be needed for the television production

A script is then developed based on this outline and decisions are made concerning the camera treatment for each segment.

 1. THE PRODUCTION PLAN –

THE UNSCRIPTED PRODUCTION PLAN

There are some types of program that cannot be scripted. For example, sports events cannot be controlled; you never know where they are going to go. However, the director still needs to think through a quasi-script, or what is often known as a production plan.

  THE OUTLINE SCRIPT: SEMI-SCRIPTED PRODUCTION 

The type of script used will be some production situations where talent improvise as they speak or perform—when the “script” simply lists details of the production group, facilities needed, and scheduling, and shows basic camera positions, and so on. The script may just list the order of topics to be covered. 

An outline script usually includes any prepared dialogue, such as the show’s opening and closing.

If the show is complicated, with multiple guests or events occurring, a show format is usually created. This lists the program segments (scenes) and shows the following:

• The topic (such as a college day celebration).

• The amount of time allocated for this specific segment.

• The names of all talent involved (hosts and guest

• Facilities (cameras, audio, and any other equipment and space needed).

• External video content sources that will be required.

 When the director has decided how he is going to interpret the script,

1.       each scene will be subdivided into a series of shots;

2.       each shot shows the action from a specific viewpoint.

3.       The shots are then numbered consecutively for easy reference on the script, in the order in which they will be screened.

In a live production, the program is shot in the scripted order (running order). When taping a production, the director can shoot in whatever order is most convenient (shooting order) for the crew, actors, and/or director. The director may decide to omit shots (“drop shot 25”) or to add extra shots (shots 24A, 24B, etc.).

He or she may decide to record shot 50 before shot 1 and then edit them into the correct running order at a later time.

THE SCRIPT AND PRODUCTION PLAN

Format

The show format lists the items or program segments in a show in the order in which they are to be shot. It may show durations, who is participating, 

shot numbers, and the like. Example CARING FOR THE ELDERLY/Tirunelveli Saranalayam

Total duration: 15 mins 1.

OPENING TITLES AND MUSIC 00:10 2.

PROGRAM INTRO 00:30 3.

PROBLEMS OF MOBILITY 2:20 4.

INJURIES 02:15 5.

DIET 02:45 6.

 DAILY ACTIVITIES 03:40 7.

EXERCISES 01:20 8.

AIDS THAT CAN HELP 01:15 9.

CLOSING 00:25 10.

END TITLES 00:10 15:00

 

 

FULLY SCRIPTED SHOWS

When a program is fully scripted, it includes detailed information on all aspects of the production, as described in the following subsections.

The full script is used differently by various members of the production team. 

For the director, the script has two purposes: 

• as a reference point when developing treatment, 
• estimating the duration of sequences, planning camera moves, 

 The director’s assistant(s) follows the script carefully during rehearsals and taping, checking dialogue accuracy, noting where retakes are needed, timing sections (their durations, where a particular event occurred), and perhaps readying and cueing contributory sources, as well as “calling shots” on the intercom—for example, “Shot 24 on 

Scenes 

Most productions are divided into a series of scenes. Each scene covers a complete continuous action sequence and is identified with a number and location (Scene 3—office set). 

 

Shots

 When the director has decided howis going to interpret the script, each scene will be subdivided into a series of shots; each shot shows the action from a specific viewpoint.

 The shots are then numbered consecutively for easy reference on the script, in the order in which they will be screened. In a live production, the program is shot in the scripted order (running order). 

The director may decide to omit shots (“drop shot 25”) or to add extra shots (shots 24A, 24B, etc.). He or she may decide to record shot 50 before shot 1 and then edit them into the correct running order at a later time.

 

Dialogue 

The entire prepared dialogue, spoken to the camera or between people. The talent may memorize the script or read it off tele   prompters or cue cards.

Equipment

The script usually indicates which camera/microphone is being used for each shot (Cam. 2 Fishpole). Basic Camera Instructions Details of each shot and camera move (Cam. 1 CU on Joe’s hand; dolly out to long shot). 

Switcher (Vision Mixer) 

Instructions For example: cut, fade. 

Contributory Sources 

Details of where video recordings, graphics, remote feeds, and so on appear in the program.

 

SCRIPT STAGES

 The fully scripted show is developed in several stages, as described in the following subsections.

1. Draft/Preliminary Script/Outline Script/ Writer’s Script

The initial submitted full-page script (dialogue and action) before script editing.

2.  REHEARSAL SCRIPT

A script prepared for television and used for pre-studio rehearsal. The script details the locales (settings), characters, action, talent directives, and dialogue (Table 5.3).Rehearsal script: Script prepared for television and used for pre-studio rehearsal. Script details the settings, characters, action, talent directives, and dialogue.

3. CAMERA SCRIPT

A revised script for camera rehearsals, augmented with details of production treatment: cameras and audio, cues, transitions, stage instructions, and set changes (Table 5.4).

Camera script: 

·         A revised script for camera rehearsals, including the details of the production treatment: cameras and audio, cues, transitions, stage instructions, and set changes..

·         The camera script outlines for each camera operator the exact size of shot and precise camera moves the director expects throughout the scene. 

·         For example, s/he might note that s/he wants to shoot the scene in five different ways:

1 - wide shot of whole scene
2 - reaction shots of other characters in scene from WS perspective
3 - MCU on two-shot of Liz and Rico
4 - CU Liz
5 - CU Rico

Fact sheet/Rundown sheet: Summarizes information about a product or item for a demonstration program, or details of a guest for an interviewer.

 Outline script: Usually includes any prepared dialogue, such as the show opening and closing.

Preliminary script/writer’s script: Initial submitted full-page script (dialogue and action) before script editing.

Running order: In a live production, the program is shot in the scripted order.

Shooting order: When taping a production, the director can shoot in whatever order is most convenient for the crew, actors, and/or director.

Show format: Lists the items or program segments in a show, in the order in which they are to be shot. It may show durations, who is participating, shot numbers, and so on.

Synopsis: An outline of the characters, action, and plot. This synopsis helps everyone involved in the production understand what is going on.

 Treatment: A film treatment, or script treatment; it is more than an outline of the production and less than a script. It is usually a detailed description of the story that includes other information such as how it will be directed.

 

4.FULL SCRIPT

 It simply informs everyone about what is expected at each moment of the production. 

Rehearsal time is too precious to use up explaining what is expected of everyone as you go. The full script is a changeable plan of how the production will proceed that has details added to it as the production develops.

 Fully scripted approaches can be found in newscasts, drama productions, operas, situation comedy shows, documentaries, and commercials. 

 The full script can be a valuable coordinating document, enabling you to see at a glance the relationships between dialogue, action, treatment, and mechanics. During planning, of course, it helps the team estimate how much time there is for a camera move, how long there is for a costume change, whether rearranging shooting order will give the necessary time for a makeup change, the scenes during which the “rain” should be seen outside the windows of the library set (the audio effects introduced), and the thousand and one details that interface in a smooth-running show. 

SCRIPT BREAKDOWN DEFINITION

What Is a Script Breakdown?

A script breakdown is an important filmmaking process that allows you to identify all the script elements needed to prep, schedule, and budget a film production.

 A breakdown happens at a scene level. The person tasked with the job will create scene breakdown after scene breakdown until a full, start-to-finish script breakdown is completed. This will be used to determine technical and creative requirements for each department.

A script breakdown element is an object, person, or process that is identified when creating a scene breakdown, such as:

 

·         Cast / Characters

·         Extras

·         Props

·         Set Dressing

·         Costumes

·         Makeup

·         Vehicles

·         Stunts

·         Special Effects or VFX

·         Livestock

·         Sound

·         Music

·         Special Equipments

·