SCRIPT WRITING FOR TELEVISION

Script writing is the art and craft of writing scripts for mass media like television production, feature or documentary films.

We can also say this is the art of writing for different programme.

Basic rules for script writing

1.      Script writers must use A4 size papers

2.      Writers must use unrattling paper

3.      You must use only one side of the paper

4.      You must number all pages for easy reading

5.      Writers must have a copy of the script

6.      Copies made must be clean

Rules for double column T.V. script

A double column script is divided into two parts i.e. the video part and the audio part. The video part is on the left side and everything should be in capitals letters or uppercase except for the titles and graphics where they are to be shown. Anything that cannot be spoken should be written in capital letters.

The audio part is in the right side and everything here should be in small letters.

Camera shots, camera direction, transition types and names of all characters must be written in capital letters.

Writing for the eye and ears (audio visual)

1.      Broadcast writing should be brief

2.      Should retain an informal tone

3.      Be specific

4.      Writer should know he is writing for one person

5.      Be natural

Sample of a Television Script

SLAG: LAKE VICTORIA                                                  DATE: 19TH APRIL,2018 WRITER: MICH MAKYOTTO                                         TIME: 9:00 PM
VIDEO	AUDIO
OPENING CREDITS AVIATION STUDIO PRESENT LAKE VICTORIA TRANSITION:FADING IN ESTABLISHING SHOT OF LAKE VICTORIA LONG SHOT FISHERMEN IN BOAT	SFX  kisumu 100 NARR: Lake Victoria is the largest fresh water lake in Africa. NARR: It covers an area of 80,000 square km. It is 300 m deep. The lake is fed by permanent and seasonal rivers.
LONG SHOT FISHERMEN AT THE SHORE TRANSITION: FADING OUT MID SHOT FISHERMEN SELLING TO BUSINESS WOMEN	SFX  Tony Nyadundo NARR: The lake has improved the living standards of the people in a variety of ways. Fishermen selling fish to women.
LONG SHOT OF FISHERMEN REMOVING NETS FROM THE BOAT	NARR: Fishermen undergo a lot of challenges as they pull the net in the boat when it is full of fish
CLOSE UP SHOT OF WOMEN FRYING FISH	NARR: Business women fry and sell their fish to hotels and restaurants for a higher fee.
CLOSE UP SHOT OF FISH	NARR: Fish is important in the livelihood of the people who live around Lake Victoria. Not only is it nutritious but also brings in a lot of cash to people in Lake Victoria.
I/V FISHERMAN	VOICE: Today we had a good catch but during the rainy season we usually have a lot of problems. The government should try solve all these problems soon, for us to benefit more

PROGRAMME RUNNING ORDER

A running order is an elaborate document giving precise details of items, duration in and out or it could be a rough guide to what the producer and director expect and hope for in the program. A program running order has four columns.

Guide time column

This gives the recommended time of each item.

Item column

Gives the standard program format the producer works with when compiling the program.

Running time column

This is the exact duration of items in.

Elapsed time column

This the cumulative time of all the items which has to add up to the duration of the actual program.

Program: News                                                                                                   Tx Date: 12/05/2018

Producer: Mr. Makyotto                                                                                     Tx Time: 3:30 Pm

Presenter: Mich                                                                                                   Duration: 1 Min 30 Sec

Guide Time	Item	Running Time	Elapsed Time
30 sec 1 Min	M.A.T.I jingles   Signature tune 10 sec   3 teasers  20 sec News Brief    Local news 10 sec    International  20 sec    Business  10 sec    Sports 20 sec	30 sec 1 Min	30 sec 1 min 30 sec

Tx means transmission.

ELEMENTS OF NEWS

What is News? We cannot say we have one definition of news, as people from different society define news differently based on their way of life and culture. People from different parts of the world look at events differently therefore they will automatically define news based on their interest, way of life and upbringing. The following are definitions of news: News is an accurate timely report of an account that is relevant to the target audience. News is something the editor does not know. News is what my government says is news. News is facts or opinion of interest or importance.
News can be disseminated through print, online or broadcast media. For news to be taken seriously it must have the following elements or values.

News values or Elements of news

Impact: The significance, importance, or consequence of an event or trend; the greater the consequence, and the larger the number of people for whom an event is important the greater the newsworthiness.

Timeliness: The more recent, the more newsworthy. In some cases, timeliness is relative. An event may have occurred in the past but only have been learned about recently.

Relevance: The event must be of greatest important to the audience for them to take an interest.

Prominence: Occurrences featuring well-know individuals or institutions are newsworthy. Being well known may spring either from the power the person or institution possess – the president or from celebrity

Proximity: Closeness of the occurrence to the audience may be gauged either geographically – close by events, all other things being equal, are more important than distant ones – or in terms of the assumed values, interest and expectations of the news audience.

The Bizarre/oddity: The unusual, unorthodox, or unexpected attracts attention.

Conflict: Controversy and open clashes are newsworthy, inviting attention on their own, almost regardless of what the conflict is over. Conflict reveals underlying causes of disagreement between individuals and institutions in a society.

Currency: Occasionally something becomes an idea whose time has come. The matter assumes a life of its own and for a time assumes momentum in news reportage.

Human Interest: Those stories that have more of an entertainment factor versus any of the above - not that some of the other news values cannot have an entertainment value.

Drama: Dramatical occurrences do insert news pegs in events. Eg a conference that was going on diplomatically may not make news until one participant decides to shout and throw chairs at the speaker.

 Consequence:  Does the subject of the story you are telling have an impact on people’s lives?

 Negativity: something bad often makes news than a good occurrence.

BROADCAST STYLES

All broadcasting stations have different ways of presenting and packaging their items. Even though they differ, most of them agree that good style is always whatever makes sense. Just like the way people have different styles of doing things same applies with most broadcast organization.

Clichés

These are words or phrases that have been over used to appoint they have lost their value or importance. Most of the times clichés make a very significant story sound common and very dull. Examples of clichés are fell on deaf ears, given the green light, mine of information, vanish into thin air, writing on the wall among others.

Journalese

This is a method used by newspaper journalist to fill up space in their articles when inspiration have gone dry. Most of the times they usually use clichés and metaphor in their stories to ensure they reach the required length.

Adjective

They are words which describe a noun. The number of adjective you use in your item will be determined by your media house style and image. Adjective usually adds colour to an article. Adjectives are important in articles just like salt in food. The right amount of adjective gives life to a story, too much of it makes an items sounds like a novel and a story without adjectives is dull and flat. So, use adjectives well.

Quotations

Most of the times quotations usually add flavor to an item as it gives the audience the actual words or phrases said. In broadcasting it is kind of tricky as it is hard for the audience to know when it starts and end. So, it is up to the presenter to ensure they are kept short, clear and they pause for some seconds before they quote.

Attribution

In broadcasting every information should be attributed clearly so that the audience knows who actually said them.  Attribution should be done properly because audience can never refer back in broadcasting. If it is done badly then it spoils the item.

Usually the message is more important than the one who said it. So, the information should be run first. But where the person is widely known then start with his or her name.

Hyperbole

This is also known as exaggeration. In broadcasting it is wrong to hype stories. They should be told to the audience truthful without adding anything. Hype stories are always unpleasant and should not be used.

Contentious statements

These are statements which are controversial. As a broadcaster always attribute contentious statements clearly and begin with the name of the person who said the statement. This is always safe for the presenter and station as the audience will know those are not their opinion. Here attribution is very important and should be properly.

Redundancies

These are words which are useless and only add up the number of words in a copy. These words should be done away with. One such word which is commonly used is, ‘that’. Other redundant words are eye witness, end result among others.

Abbreviations

In broadcasting only use abbreviations which are commonly known all over the world like Mr and Mrs. Any other abbreviations should not be used and should read out in full. And when abbreviations are used they should be hyphenated example K-P-A, unless they form acronyms they should be left the way they are, example MATI.

Proof reading

All copies in broadcast journalism should be read out loud to check if it makes sense to the ear. A good copy should always be one that is easy to read and one without mistakes. Here all personnel who are involved in making the item should proof read and verify it makes sense before it reaches the audience.

Homonyms

These are words which sound the same but have different meaning. Whenever these words are used, one should be careful. When you use the wrong word the meaning of that sentence changes totally. Examples of homonyms are pick and peak, might and mite etc.

Pronouns

Whenever one is using pronouns extra care and discipline should be exercised in order not to confuse the audience. Always use someone’s name first then pronoun.

Immediacy

Broadcast has the strength of immediacy. This means as events happen they reach the audience fast. Immediacy is heighten by using present or perfect tenses in broadcasting. What is aired today in broadcasting will be read tomorrow in the newspaper.

Positive

In broadcasting news should be presented and expressed in an active and positive way. News is always active.

Repetition

Repeating words in a sentence a couple of times always makes it boring and should be avoided. Try find an alternative word but if one cannot be found it is ok to repeat.

Punctuation

Items in broadcasting are written to be read out loud and should be done properly. Sentences should be short and their meaning intact. This is done by punctuating the item well with visible pauses. Comma and full stops may look similar. So, it is better to use ellipsis…….dash------ for longer pause.