Article

Amir Shahzeidi
Amir Shahzeidi 16 June 2022

How to Write an Effective Video Script in 4 Easy Steps

Writing a video script is by no means an easy task. However, brands and creators should keep at the forefront of their minds that video is one of the best content formats out there. An important aspect of this is the script each video will have, which is what we’ll be covering in the following guide.

With video being one of the most widely used content formats, it’s important for you to know how to create an effective video script.

This will help you and everyone else involved in its production process stay on the same page and save valuable time (and money!) 

Our guide includes everything you need to know, whether you’re using a video script template or not.

More specifically, we’re going to cover the following:

  • The different types of video script formats
  • A step-by-step guide to writing a script

Let’s get started.

4 Types of Video Script Formats

Video scripts can be quite diverse depending on the people involved in the creative process as well as the project’s main focus. 

They come in all shapes and sizes, so it’s important that you know what each one is all about. Let’s begin by having a look at the first type.

1. Scripted Sketch

A scripted sketch consists of detailed actions and a dialogue, making it perfect for:

  • TikTok videos
  • YouTube shorts
  • Short films

For this type, you basically map out everything that takes place in the video, including the actors’ lines.

This will allow you to take your video to the next level by keeping everything, including all details around individual scenes, in one place. 

2. Storyboard

Although this video script type might surprise you, it’s actually one of the most effective ones.

In a nutshell, storyboards depict what’s happening in a scene through detailed drawings.

Even if they’re a series of rough sketches, they are important for all stakeholders in the production process, including editors and directors.

3. Audio-Visual Video

What you basically do when it comes to audio-visual video is to write down what happens in a scene, as well as what the audience will be listening to.

Is it a song? A voiceover? Maybe some sound effects? 

You need to put that on paper!

In short, whatever the viewers will be listening to or watching needs to be included in the script.

4. Interview Video

Any interview includes a series of good questions that help make sure that the interviewee and interviewer stay on topic. 

For every interviewer, those questions should ideally be written down in a script, in order not to forget them as well as to help the interviewee with guidance. 

Plus, adding the guest’s intro is an important part of a video script for interviews.

Now, let’s have a look at how to create a video script yourself step-by-step.

How To Write a Script for a Video in 4 Easy Steps

In this last section of our guide we’re going to show you how to write a video script effectively.

Let’s begin.

Step #1:  Create a Brief

Creating a detailed and high-quality brief is the first and most important part.

It basically entails writing down the video’s purpose and plan, so that everyone is aware of what the content will be all about.

Although video briefs can be quite flexible, answering questions like who the video is being made for and why, are vital parts of any brief.

Step #2:  Begin with a Rough Outline

You can think of the outline as a script’s skeleton.

Despite it sometimes being rough or vague, it should include all topics and subtopics that’ll be mentioned in the video. 

Including how the video will start and close, in a way that will captivate viewers’ attention.

Step #3:  Include Video and Audio Elements

Audio and visual elements are now an integral part of today’s videos.

However, you can’t just randomly add them to a video. You first need to write down in detail what’s happening in every scene before including what the audience will be listening to.

The same thing applies for visual effects like B-rolls, lower thirds, and transitions.

Step #4:  Trim and Revise

Once you’re ready with your video script, all that’s left is to go through it a few times to make sure you haven’t missed anything.

Making any vital last-minute changes can prove to be a life-saver for a video.

Let’s wrap things up with some final words.

Wrapping Up

That was our full guide on how to create a video script.

We truly hope you found it useful and that you’ll come back to it next time you start writing a script.

As long as you follow our basic steps, your video script can deliver some great results!

Author: Amir Shahzeidi

Amir is the Head of Search at Uscreen, an all-in-one video monetization platform that empowers video entrepreneurs and creators to monetize their content and build thriving businesses around their videos.

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