How to Create a Great Script or Storyboard for Your Video
Depending on what style video you are trying to create, you will probably want to start with a strong script and visual storyboard to help you plan how your video should look and feel to your audience. Informational or “story” type videos are generally best approached by writing the script first, while more visual, aesthetic-style videos may be better conceived through pictures, before text or dialogue is added.
Either way, you will want to nail down some sort of organization for the content of your video. Script-writing and storyboarding can be a very drawn-out, complex process, especially if there are multiple writers involved. Here are a few tips to help you if you are struggling with writer’s block.
1. Always remember your Subject and Theme. Before you start anything, be sure you define the subject and theme of your video to ensure you have a solid idea to come back to, and that your ideas and creative thinking revolve around one common theme.
2. Spend 10-15 minutes brainstorming. Don’t be afraid to get dirty. Write or draw the first ideas that come to mind; every thought, concern, question, or image. You never know what may evolve from a collection of random thoughts. If nothing more, this part of the process will at least help you cleanse your mind so you can start fresh.
3. Organize your brainstorm. Once you get everything down on paper, try to organize which thoughts and ideas have something in common, especially those that are directly related to your subject and theme. Arrange these thoughts into a natural flow or pattern, where your subject is exposed near the beginning, and your theme is disclosed near the end. Remove anything else which feels like it doesn’t fit.
4. Flesh out the points. Once you have your general flow of ideas, expand the major points within your list with detailed explanations, imagery, or other notes and comments. Again, remove all ideas that don’t make sense or disrupt the flow of your ideas. Be ruthless. Don’t try to fit too much content into one video. Make sure your ideas are clear and concise.
5. Test your subject and theme. Ask yourself: Do the elements and structure of your ideas effectively divulge your subject and expose the theme of your content? Maybe ask a friend or colleague to help you with this.
6. Set a tone and style for your video. Stylistically adjust your content so it fits the type of video you wish to create, maintaining a cohesive script.
7. Edit! Fix all spelling, punctuational, and grammatical issues and trim down anything that doesn’t contribute to the overall flow, tone, and style of your video.
8. Ask for feedback. Can your target audience easily pick out the subject and theme of your video? Does your video elicit an emotional response and drive your audience with a strong call-to-action?
9. Read through the script with performers. Especially if you plan on recording a voice over, shooting an interview, or having an actor recite lines in front of the camera, you need to test the sounds and flow of your script as it is vocalized. You need to hear what your script sounds like before it is finalized. Your performers will likely give you feedback on the natural feel of the script and how it can be made better. Edit your script based on this feedback from peers and performers – they will often know what’s best from an audience member’s point of view.
10. Send your script to the video production team. Once you feel your script is solid gold and ready to shoot, send your content to everyone involved in the video production process. Keep in mind, you will likely deviate from the script during the production process, as performers and directors may find better ways to deliver lines or some parts of the script just don’t fit right. Always remember to go back to your subject and theme.
For more information on how to write a good script, contact the experts at In Focus Studios. We provide professional script-writing and story-boarding services to help you create the best video possible.
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