Writing a video script can be overwhelming at first. The following will address some of the practical tips you might want to keep in mind as you’re writing to help create an effective script that creates the emotion you want within your audience and shares the information you want to share.

Get Help

 

Before we dive in, it’s critical for you to know that you don’t have to complete the project alone. There are many highly skilled film production and videography professionals in the world who can help you craft the perfect script that will help the video you’re creating express your ideas clearly and in a way that emotionally resonates with your audience. The top film production company in Singapore emphasizes that there’s a lot of heavy lifting in film production. There’s also a ton of technical know-how involved in filmmaking. If you’re feeling unsure, know that you can always get the help of a professional team.

 

Understand Length

 

One of the most basic elements in writing a video project script is understanding how what you put on the page translates into time. Using standard script-formatting, one page equals roughly one minute of film time. If you have a limit provided by the project’s parameters (like, your boss asked you to make a three-minute video), then you can keep this in mind while writing. If you don’t have a time limit, take the time to watch other videos that accomplish the same goals you want to accomplish to get a feel for the ideal length.

 

Err On The Side Of Short And Get To The Point

 

Now that you know how long your film is likely to turn out, it’s a good idea to see if you can shorten it some. Most of the time, shorter is considered better, especially as people’s attention spans are being challenged in this era by instant gratification in the real world and in the digital one. You have about eight seconds to grab someone’s attention, or they’re not paying attention. This means keeping it short and sweet but also, avoid having a lengthy opening where nothing is happening. Credits and logos can go at the end.

Be Biased Towards Action

 

When you’re writing a scene or a moment, lean towards having more action rather than less, this doesn’t mean you need a car chase and a shoot-out; it means that the people within your film should be doing something. Let’s say you’re filming a welcome message from a professor to the students who will be attending an educational program. Why not write the professor walking down a library corridor as he or she talks instead of having the professor sitting still? If you’re writing a veterinarian dialogue, why not have the vet holding a dog in the scene? The human eye is drawn to movement, so having people move as they’re talking can hold the viewer’s attention longer.

 

Edit

 

When the script is done, put it away for a little bit. When you come back to revise, look for any words that are unnecessary; look for any moment that is not pushing the story forward. Even if you think you’re just writing a simple video, there is a story within that each moment must be a part of.

 

The above tips should help you get focused and specific when writing video scripts. It’s a good idea to have a few people read over the script before production begins so that any mistakes you didn’t notice can be pointed out and remedied.

 

Published by HOLR Magazine