This document provides an overview of scriptwriting and storyboarding for video production. It discusses key elements of a script including scenes, shots, dialogue, character names, and descriptions of actions and locations. It emphasizes breaking down the script into scenes with clear messages or actions. It also covers elements of a shooting script such as scene headings with locations and times, action lines, and specifying shot types and camera angles to visualize the story. The document stresses using a shooting script as a guide to help plan shots and avoid issues during filming.

1. Scriptwriting &
Storyboarding Simplified
FILM 290
Intro to Video Production

2. Script
 A script is made up of a series of scenes.
 A scene is a place or setting where the action takes
place. A scene may consist of one shot or series of
shots depicting a continuous event.
 a shot is what the camera takes from when it starts
recording to when it stops recording.

3. Script
 The number of scenes will depend on the length and
content of your film.
 Each scene should have an action or a main message
that develops the story or the overall message of the
film
 Each scene takes place in a specific location.

4. Script
 The script includes everything that is said and seen in
your film.
 Everything that is said is the dialogue.
 When writing your script, think about the content and
delivery of your dialogue.
 Who is talking?
 What do they need to say?

5. Script
 You may also consider using voiceovers.
 A voiceover(VO) is when a character/person’s voice is
heard ‘over the top’ of a scene.
 Remember to include information about any sounds
you require in your film.

6. Script
 Your script also needs to detail what we see.
 Where is the location(s) of your film?
 What action is taking place?
 This information needs to be included in your script.

7. Script
 Break down the script into key scenes (What is the
action/message of each scene?)
 Focus on the aural and visual elements of your film
(What is said? What is seen?)

8. May – August Short
Script
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeHUAVJS_aY

9. Scene Headings
 Put your scene heading (or ‘slugline’) in capital letters
in the middle of the page.
 A scene heading shows the time of day and location. It
breaks down a script to make it easier for a film to be
read. For example,
 INT: THE BOARDROOM.MIDDAY

10. Action Lines
 Put action lines below the scene heading.
 An action line gives a description of action and events
taking place.
 Action lines are written in present tense.
 The first time a character/person’s name is read, it
should be in capital letters.
 AMANDA walks in the boardroom. She is laughing.

11. Dialog/Characters
 Dialogue should convey information and move the
story forward, while at the same time help us
understand the characters.
 Good dialogue has a rhythm, and therefore is easily
spoken. It is compressed and moves fast.
 Examples of good and bad dialog:
 “Sorry I’m late. I ah had to, well I’ll explain after I order.”

12. Dialog/Characters
 Examples of good and bad dialog:
 “Sorry I’m late. I ah had to, well I’ll explain after I order.”
 “Sorry I’m late!” Gwen said. “I had to dig in the garbage
behind my house this morning.”

13. Parentheses
 A remark that is added to a sentence, often to provide
an explanation or extra information, that is separated
from the main part of the sentence by commas,
brackets, or dashes.
 I don’t care what he says...
 (gesticulating wildly)
 He’s wrong!
 (clenching his fists)

14. Script without
Parentheses
 HUSBAND
 It’s not what it looks like, Marilyn.
 WIFE
 It’s not what it looks like? What does it look like,
Navindra? It looks like you are having an affair with
your secretary!

15. Script with Parentheses
 No parentheticals are necessary in the above example. Many
new writers will write it this way:
HUSBAND
 (desperately trying to hide the truth)
 It’s not what it looks like, Marilyn.
WIFE
 (pacing back and forth, angrily)
 It’s not what it looks like??? What does it look like, Navindra? It
looks like you’re having an affair with your secretary!!!!!

16. Shooting a Script

17. Shooting Script
 The shooting visualizes the entire picture story before
you start filming.
 Remember, the shooting script is a guide from which
you will build your story.
 In broad terms, the main difference between the
screenplay and the shooting script is that the
screenplay is a selling tool, whereas the shooting
script is a production tool.

18. Shooting Script
 It helps you identify weak areas, gaps, and avoid
including material
 If properly prepared,
it will keep you from wandering about or getting
confused once you start taking the pictures for your
story.
 With its use, you are not likely to forget a key element
or lose track of your main idea.

19. Shooting Script
 The shooting script is normally broken into shots,
featuring precise cinematography terminology such as
close-ups, medium shots, POV, wide shots. The idea
is to inform the crew what is going on. Before the main
filming starts.
 It is usually divided into days and dates so everyone
knows when to shoot what.

20. Shooting Script is just a Guide
 You must remember that the shooting script is only a
guide. It is not final.
 Don’t let it hinder your creativity once you begin
shooting.
 Be alert to developments and actions that offer new
perspectives on pictures that may enhance your
picture story.

21. Shooting Script
 Having too many photos when you begin composing
the layout is a good thing. Having too little will make
you go back to shoot more.
 Remember that the time you spend preparing your
shooting script is compensated for by the time and
possible confusion you save while you are shooting
the job.

22. Preparing the Shooting Script
1st step
 The first step in
preparing a shooting script is to write a short objecti
ve statement.
 Writing an objective statement will help you to focus on
the key element in the story and strengthen the overall
impact. It should clearly identify the
subject, who or what the story is about, and what y
ou are trying to communicate to the reader/viewer.

23. Creating a Shot List

24. 5 W's: WHO, WHAT, WHEN,
WHERE, and WHY
 The objective statement should answer the
 5 W's: WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, and WHY.
 (1) WHO - Identify the subject or people who will be
photographed. Include names and/or titles, duty
responsibilities, and functions.
 (2) WHAT - Describe the exact nature of what the
subject will be doing in support of the overall theme of
the picture story.

25. 5 W's: WHO, WHAT, WHEN,
WHERE, and WHY
 (3) WHEN - List the
dates and times that the subject will be
photographed. Coordinate this with the subject or
point of contact to ensure subject is available when
specified.
 (4) WHERE - Select the exact location or locations
that the photography will take place.
 (5) WHY - State your reasons for shooting the story.

26. Preparing the Shooting Script
2nd step
 The second part of your shooting script will outline how you
will put across your idea and story objective by listing the
shots you plan to take.
 Review the notes you made while conducting your
research, and list each photo idea you pictured in your
mind.
 Each one should be followed by a description of the
composition you visualized. Whether it should be a long
shot, medium shot, close-up, high or low angle of view,
what the point of focus is, and any unusual lighting
conditions or requirements.

27. Shooting a Script
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEa36GG6DCQ

28. example of a portion of a
shooting script
 (1) Shot 1 - Medium shot, wide-angle lens, NLC main
entrance by the sign
 WHAT - Lecturer in the field with students.
 WHY - To show the viewer the location and purpose of
the use of the place
 (2) Shot 2 - Medium shot, normal angle lens, class
room.
 WHAT - Lecturer working with two students, adjusting
the legs of a tripod before mounting a camera. Use
shallow depth of field, about waist level camera
position.

29. example of a portion of a
shooting script
 WHY - To identify the lecturer and a couple of students
attending the video production class.
 (3) Shot 3 - Medium shot, normal angle lens, lecturer
and student.
 WHAT - lecturer and student discussing a problem.
 Show student showing something to lecturer. Shoot
from low angle to see faces bent over item being
discussed.

30. example of a portion of a
shooting script
 WHY - To illustrate instructors' interest in his students.
 (4) Shot 4 - Medium shot, long focal length (105mm),
of lecturer at his desk.
 WHAT - lecturer sitting at his desk reviewing
a student's work in progress.
 Shoot across desk with camera in lecturer 's hand the
only thing in focus.

31. example of a portion of a
shooting script
 WHY - To illustrate how lecturer works together in
helping students obtain course learning goals.
 (5) Summary - Carry out this format and plan each
picture you have visualized in your mind while
conducting the research.
 Keep in mind that you can change this as the situation
warrants. You can even add new picture ideas or
delete some. The script is only a guide.

32. Evaluation of Shooting Script
 You can evaluate your objective
 statement and shooting script using the following
criteria:
 Interest - The leaders must gain something from the
story or they will not read it.
 Impact. Your pictures must have impact. That
"something" which appeals to the eye, catches
attention and holds it.

33. Evaluation of Shooting Script
 Focus/scope - Narrow the scope of your subject. A picture
story about your whole post may be interesting but would
be cumbersome and time consuming to read.
 Focus - on a smaller part. Maybe a department, or
division, or an individual.
 People - Focus on people. Whatever your story, the
chances are that it can be made better and more
interesting if it is told in terms of people doing
things. Readership tests have shown that people are
interested in people.

34. Evaluation of Shooting Script
 Remember that the story subject must not only appeal
to you. It must also appeal to a large number of
people who read it and eventually watch it when it
becomes a hit.

35. Note to remember
 Note that things we HEAR and SEE are typically
capitalized in film scripts.
 The first time actors appear in the script their names
are capitalized.

36. Script VS Film
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10EbLRNJGXQ

37. Useful Terms for Shooting the
Script
 Close up (CU) - A close up focuses on a
character/person’s face. It may also focus on an important
object
 Mid Shot (MS) - A mid shot focuses on the
character/person from the waist up.
 Wide Shot (LS) - A wide shot (or long shot) focuses on the
person or the important object in a location
 Point of View Shot (POV) - A point of view shot is where
the shot is taken from the visual perspective (the point of
view) of the character

38. Useful Terms for Shooting the
Script
 Reverse Shot (RS) - A reverse shot is where the shot
is taken from the opposite point of view of the point of
view shot. For example, if you were filming an
interview and you have a point of view shot from the
interviewer’s perspective, the reverse shot would be
the interviewee’s perspective.
 Camera Angles - The camera angle is where the
camera is positioned in relation to the action. You
could have a High Camera Angle (HCA), Low Camera
Angle (LCA) or Eye Level angle (EL).

39. Useful Terms for Shooting the
Script
 Camera Movement - Zoom, pan and tilt are
descriptive terms you can use to describe camera
movement

40. Point of View (POV)
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aV5bZF9PUc

41. Reverse Shot
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0xiCIMIwLY&t=49
s

42. High and Low Angle

43. Over the Shoulder
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VB85nVKVaU

44. Two Shot
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGy3SqOdrbs

45. The Storyboard
 The Storyboard consists of drawings which show what the
key shots will look like in your film, and how the shots and
scenes will flow on from each other. The drawings can be
simple, like a comic strip version of your film.
 You can also take pictures of all your scenes using your
cell phone and then upload them into the storyboard
section of celtx.
 The Storyboard comes from, and works alongside, your
script and shooting script and demonstrates the ‘feel’ or
atmosphere of your film.

46. Storyboard