Steps to Scripting the Story

Step 1: Choose your best SOTs

With the six SOTs you have now identified, you have already developed a large part of your script. If your interviews were complete and focused on your topic, then the six best SOTs from the interviews may be all you need. You may find, however, that you need to do more interviewing to complete the story.

Step 2: Choose the order of the SOTs
The next step in the script writing process is to decide in which order you will use these SOTs as you tell your story. How should the story unfold? There are many directions you can go with these decisions, but you want to settle on an outline for your story that keeps the viewer’s interest and is not confusing. One method you could use today is to place each of the cards on a table or on the floor in front of you. Experiment with their order. Move them around until they seem to flow and follow a logical outline for the story.

Step 3: Write the anchor lead

Once you have decided on a possible order, you can start writing the rest of the script. Think about what the viewer should first hear about your story so they will understand what they are about to see. This should be the “anchor lead” that will be read to introduce your story.

Step 4: Write the first track of voice-over

Next, decide how the story will move to that first SOT. Usually the reporter will say something, perhaps a sentence or two, leading up to the first SOT. It may, however, be “natural sound,” such as the chanting of protestors. This first sound and video should be compelling enough to convince the viewer to continue to watch and listen. Write these first sentences that will lead up to the first SOT onto a card and place it at the top of the cards with the SOTs.

Step 5: Write between the SOTs

Next, think of what you need to say in the space between the first SOT and the second SOT. Write this on a card and place it between them. Do the same between each SOT until you have filled all of the spaces between the SOTs. Note: Some of these sentences may simply be paraphrases of a SOT you chose not to use. These sentences must place the SOTs in context and complete the telling of a balanced story.

Step 6: Insert the transitions

Video and audio transitions are important to the flow of any script and should be included when scripting video. Visual transitions include titles, connecting camera images with digital transitions (fades, dissolves, wipes), and good shot-making. Audio transitions include narration, music, and sound effects that bind the elements of the story together in a natural way.

Step 7: Write the big finale
If you have done your job well so far, you may have just one more card to write, but it is an important one. Write the conclusion to your script. This last sentence, like the first, is very important. Along with the last video shot it will create the final impression.

Step 8: Edit and tighten the script
With all of this arranged and written, read through your script. Should it be shortened? Your editorial staff should have given you a length to shoot for. You could shorten your SOTs, or cut some out completely and replace them with shorter reporter sentences. Does the script tell the whole story you wanted to convey? If there is important information left out, then add it in at the proper place. Does the story unfold in an interesting and compelling way? You could rethink the order of the SOTs if needed. Just move the cards around until it works.