Script Writing.
As a producer, it's part of my role to write the script for the show. I have conducted some research regarding how to write a studio script in order to inform myself before I begin.
Format
A studio script layout is different to other scripts such as screenplays or drama scripts. Within the studio, as you are working with multiple cameras, each shot needs to be assigned to a different camera. This is portrayed on the script. Each camera is numbered, and the programme will be edited live from the Gallery. The vision mixer will be switching between the shots, but the director is responsible for calling which shot they want to go to next. This is all illustrated on a studio script.
Above is an example of a typical studio script (Fairweather, 1998:125). A studio script is made up of 2 columns, with visual instructions on the left and speech on the right. This clearly separates the instructions that the director needs to call from the speech.
Furthermore, cut lines are used to illustrate where cuts between cameras need to be made by the vision mixer. The number to the left of the line refers to the shot number, and the number on top of the line refers to the camera number. This means that if someone gets lost on the script (i.e. they forget to turn the page) the script supervisor will be able to call the shot number and everyone will be able to find where they are again.
On the left column, you can see on the example there is instructions for shot types to be taken. This helps the director to understand what will be happening next. Sometimes, this column will also include actions taken by the presenter/s if they are moving around the stage. An example of this would be: Presenter enters scene camera right
This means that the presenter will come onto the stage from the right of the cameras, but left of the stage. Stage left and camera right are the same thing. It's important to ensure you only use camera right and camera left as instructions, because this will quickly get confusing for the crew to follow.
Finally, if a shot is added to the sequence after the shots have been written on the script, you can add it to the script with a new shot number. For example, if you add a shot after 10., the shot will be called 10A. This information should be given to the camera operator as clear as possible so that they know the new shot and they can add it to their camera card. (Fairweather, 1998:124)
Example of new shot:
10. 3________________________________/
WS of stage
10A. 4_______________________________/
CU of prop
Above is an example of a typical studio script (Fairweather, 1998:125). A studio script is made up of 2 columns, with visual instructions on the left and speech on the right. This clearly separates the instructions that the director needs to call from the speech.
Furthermore, cut lines are used to illustrate where cuts between cameras need to be made by the vision mixer. The number to the left of the line refers to the shot number, and the number on top of the line refers to the camera number. This means that if someone gets lost on the script (i.e. they forget to turn the page) the script supervisor will be able to call the shot number and everyone will be able to find where they are again.
On the left column, you can see on the example there is instructions for shot types to be taken. This helps the director to understand what will be happening next. Sometimes, this column will also include actions taken by the presenter/s if they are moving around the stage. An example of this would be: Presenter enters scene camera right
This means that the presenter will come onto the stage from the right of the cameras, but left of the stage. Stage left and camera right are the same thing. It's important to ensure you only use camera right and camera left as instructions, because this will quickly get confusing for the crew to follow.
Finally, if a shot is added to the sequence after the shots have been written on the script, you can add it to the script with a new shot number. For example, if you add a shot after 10., the shot will be called 10A. This information should be given to the camera operator as clear as possible so that they know the new shot and they can add it to their camera card. (Fairweather, 1998:124)
Example of new shot:
10. 3________________________________/
WS of stage
10A. 4_______________________________/
CU of prop
Language and Symbols
Studio scripts use language and symbols that are either used in most productions or only used in studio productions. Here are some examples and their meanings.
Most scripts
- Pan left/ right
- Tilt up/ down
- track (dolly) in/ out
- crab left/ right
- WS, MS, MCU, CU, ECU
Studio scripts
- Titles
- As a studio production is live, the titles need to be cued in rather than edited in at a later date
- f/d music, f/o music
- Sound technicians need to know when music or sound effects need to play and stop
- Q
- cue an action such as a presenter to start talking
- SoT
- Sound on Tape- when a VT plays, the sound needs to be cued in
- VT
- A sequence that has been shot and edited prior to the studio production that will be edited in by a VT operator and the vision mixer
- Mix
- fading between 2 shots rather than cut
(Brown; Duthie, 2016:54)
Mission Control
In keeping with studio production, I will be writing the Mission Control script in the style of a studio script. This will be easier to use for the whole crew, as there will be instructions on it for every member of the team. I will be using Fairweather's example of a studio script as well as a clear example I found by David Crossman here. (Crossman, 2011)
Bibliography
Fairweather, R. (1998) Basic Studio Directing Oxford: Focal Press.
Brown, L. Duthie, L. (2016) The TV Studio Production Handbook London: I.B. Tauris & Co.
Crossman, D. (2011) Camera Script for "This is The Place" (online) At: https://www.slideshare.net/davidcrossman/camera-script-for-this-is-the-place (Accessed 28/01/2019)
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