Chapter 8 - Scriptwriting

Nod Shots

a cutaway shot often used in interview programs and usually recorded after the interviewee has left the set. In a nod shot, interviewer does not say anything, but simply "nods" naturally as if listening to the answer to a question.

Program Proposal

a document created by the scriptwriter that contains general information about the program including the basic idea applicable format message to be imparted to audience intended audience budget considerations shooting schedule used to present the program to executive producer obtain permission and funding for the production.

Treatment

a narrative written from a program outline that tells the program's story in paragraph form.

Montage

a production device that allows a gradual change in a relationship or a lengthy time passage to occur in a very short amount of screen time by showing a series of silent shots accompanied by music.

Magazine

a program format comprised of feature packages, each addressing a different story for seven to eleven minutes.

Music Video

a program format in which all or most of the audio is a song.

Lecture

a program format in which the talent speaks and the camera shoots almost entirely in a medium close-up. Also known as big talking face (BTF) and talking head.

Drama

a program format that includes both dramas and comedies and requires actors to portray someone or something other than themselves.

Interview

a program format that involves a conversation between an interviewer and an interviewee.

Newscast

a program format that is a collection of individual news stories.

Documentary

a program format that is essentially a research paper for television. The audio in the program may include both on-camera and off-camera narration. The video footage used in the program is determined by the topic research and should support the audio of the program.

Panel Discussion

a program format that presents a group of people gathered to discuss topics of interest. Daytime talk shows are an example of this format.

Lecture/Demonstration

a program format that provides action and makes use of props in addition to lecture; examples of this format include cooking shows, how-to shows, and infomercials.

Word-For-Word Script

a program script in which every word spoken by the talent is written out.

Format Script

a program script that is very brief and used for programs in which the order of events is predetermined and the sequence of each episode is consistent.

Outline Script

a program script that usually has a word-for-word introduction and conclusion, but an outline for the body of the script.

Public Service Announcement (PSA)

a program that is 30 or 60 in length and aims to inform the public or to conceive the public to do (or not to do) something in the interest of common good.

Story Style Music Video

a type of music video in which the audience hears the music, but does not see the band perform. Instead, actors act out a story line that is supported by the lyrics of the song.

Concert Style Music Video

a type of music video in which the audience sees the band perform the music that is heard.

Script

an entire program committed to paper, including dialog, music, camera angles, stage direction, camera direction, and computer graphics (CG) notations.

Actors

individuals who participate in a drama or comedy program performing as someone or something other than themselves.

Storyboards

sketches that portray the way the image on television should look in the finished program.

Visualization

the ability to mentally picture the finished program.