Introduction to Television Reporting

3.Scripting

(This is the Third article in the Ten part series on 'Introduction to Television Reporting', this series is part of an online course taken by CBA)

The script is the most vital part of the reporter’s work in television news. But remember, television is about pictures and sound. So a well written script should highlight strong video and audio. A good script can also improve ordinary or weak video and audio. And all scripts should tell a story for the audience whether you are covering a dramatic life and death incident or a press conference.

How to write to pictures

Before you write a script you should view all your material with the video tape. Then the reporter and VT editor must decide the order of the video. Only then do you write the script. Journalists who simply write a script before viewing their video, then hand the script or the voice track to the VT editor will never use their pictures properly and will produce far less interesting and creative news.

Always remember—you are writing for television, not a newspaper. Never, ever write wall-to-wall commentary. Your words must draw attention and add to the video, not just describe it.

Less is More

The best scripts are often the shortest scripts because the audience is given time to watch the video and listen to the natural sound. The more powerful the pictures, the fewer words are needed. Bold use of sound pays off. Let the audience listen to natural sound which often can express more information than scripted words.

Short concise sentences work best for scripts. Small chunks are easier to swallow!

Tell a Single Story Clearly and Concisely

Find your focus before you start to write. Think carefully about what you want to tell your audience. This should always be a single story told clearly. But never take the background knowledge of your audience for granted. Brief explanations can add to the clarity of your script.

Opening & Closing Sentences

Always work hard on writing good sentences. This will set the tone and help you write a stronger script. A good opening sentence will also alert the viewer that they are about to watch a well crafted story.

A good closing sentence will leave the audience with an important thought and tone.

Examples

In 2007 there were many stories marking the 60th anniversary of the founding of modern India. One such story starting with video of the anniversary parade and Indian soldiers marching proudly. The opening line did not state the obvious, which might have been:

"Indian soldiers march proudly to celebrate the 60th anniversary of their country." Or

"A parade to celebrate the 60th anniversary was held in New Delhi today".

Those script lines would have been obvious and described what we were seeing. Instead the reporter used this as an opening line:

Natural sound of music and marching

"India in confident mood"

More natural sound from parade

This opening line added to the report and spoke directly to the audience.

Style

For every news story you must decide what it means for your audience and why it matters to them. Some reporters think about how they would tell the story to one particular person to develop their own style. Confidence is the key to your own style—there is no single way to script.

A Few Tips

·         Avoid clichés. They are only used by lazy writers. And that’s not a cliché!

·         Write into and out of soundbites and interviews clearly and creatively.

·         Beware loaded words such as “freedom fighter” or “terrorist”. Tell the facts and let the interviewees provide the comments and opinions.

·         Do not use jargon, abbreviations or acronyms unless you are absolutely sure that the audience understands. The audience may know what UN or CIA stands for, but what about G8, WTO, CHOGM, the OAU? If in any doubt, avoid it!

·         Finally, read your script out loud to yourself before you record your track.