Thursday 8 February 2018

'AS LIVE' PRODUCTION: (Lecture) Methods of Scripting

Script writing

Studio scripts
- two columns 
- left side - shot number, camera number and shot descriptions
- right side - script, stage instructions and sound effects

Shots are amended as letters after the shot no. e.g. shot 10 becomes 10a

Aston - caption on screen of person

VT script heading example:
VT seq. 2. Sue Bethel. Dur 1' 42"

Camera cards
Camera operators can see which shots they are responsible for (also 'crib cards')

Layout of camera cards
- Shot no
- Area of set feature
- Shot description
- Any notes

VT scripts
- Title - should match the title on the VT clock and the script
- IQ (in cue) and OQ (out cue) - everyone knows when the VT is to start / finish
- Duration of VT
- Capgens - info about captions and when they should appear on VT 
- Each piece of VT should have bars / tone and clock with appropriate idents - research into

Script content
- A decision must be made as to how much scripted content the programme contains 
- At least script a welcome, ending and links - the rest could be made up with rehearsals 
- Don't script anything too long - no auto prompt 
- Presenters can learn short lines - with flash cards for prompts 

Links
- Write with the tone of the show in mind and if possible the style of the presenter
- Good links should, as with intros, neatly knit in and out of segments

Ad libs
- Presenters can ad lib with flash cards
- Role play with presenter and guest - see how good they are at wrapping it up
- Presenter needs to be well prepared
- During recording the producer will need to keep an eye on timings with the aid of PA

Timings
- Many elements of the script notably anything which is not on autocue, will necessitate approximate timings
- It is important to keep on top of timings throughout the pre production and record process
- Magazines show often have flexible scripts
- The PA is key to working out how much time must be added / lost from subsequent items if things under or over run on their estimated durations

Running order
- VTs may be over / under so running order will need to be tweaked
- Put buffers into running order - bits that can be made longer or shorter if needed

Good scripting
- Accurate
- Well written - SPAG (spelling and grammar)
- Concise
- Appropriate tone of voice
- Write to pictures

Vision mixing keywords
X - Mix
/ - Cut
W - Wipe
CG, CAP - Caption Generator
S/I - Super impose
T/O - Take out
Q, DVE, ADO, DPM, A-53 - Animate digital effects


VTs, promotional work & graphics

VT or no VT
- Adding value to the studio production
- Provide talking points and background information
- Illustrative
- Add variety

'Beyond the studio' content
- Practical 
- Entertainment
- Informative
- Variety

- VT should feel part of the programme
- Add to the studio content and have specific purpose
- Entertaining and creative
- Quality should be consistent with the rest of the programme
- Production values
- Technical quality - picture and sound quality, lighting
- Performance

VTs need research and recce, locations, paperwork, casting & scripting

VTs need a clear top line e.g. surviving in cold on mountain

Need a why for the VT stories

Pull VT content into the main show - VT to help push story forward

Winterwatch (BBC Two):

Linking to VT
Introducing presenter
music over top
establishing 

The One Show (BBC One):

Coming ups
Welcome guest - introduce 
No stings and no captions
Interview - cut to sequence - actuality 
Set up sequence - before introducing someone
Reverse questions - shot after interview

Answer in blog:
- what do you feel about the quality of content
- what worked and why?
- what changes and improvements would you make?
- purpose?
- how did they transition between the content in studio and VTs

Graphics

- accuracy 
- branding / tone
- clarity
- layout / composition
- font 
- purpose
- synergy - images / words - spoken and onscreen
- don't punctuate abbreviations
- time on screen - should be able to read it twice
- lettering contrasts well with background - usually lighter than background
- don't put too much info up at once
- rule of thirds
- golden ratio / columns / baseline grid

Backgrounds
- simple colour background
- use video grabs
- defocussed video image
- single colour background e.g. sea, sky
- why we are choosing the style, method and use of graphics


Viewing: TV, GFX, Stings and Promos

Inside Out London:
- different tone 
- graphic heavy
- news-look

Research look at links on lecture slides - Loose Women and The Wright Stuff

Style bible
- fonts
- colours
- backgrounds
- astons
- poster / other printed & promotional material
- mood board
- lighting plan / design

For sony vision mixer:
pixel size 1920 x 1080 i (interlace)
- the show is recorded in HD, VTZ in Quicktime MP4 (h264)


WORKSHOP - Due 1/03/18

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