Learning Objectives
Now that we've covered idea generation and finding inspiration that resonates with who YOU are, we should have some ideas. But where do we go from here?
This module is called Scripting. And it’s where we take our idea, and build a script around it.
So by the end of this module, you will:
The scripting and planning phase of a video for me will usually happen immediately after I’ve had the idea. It might not be a defined script, but I’ll make some notes, and post any reference links and stuff like that, so I can easily come back to the idea, see all my thoughts so far in one place, and develop it further whenever I want to come back to it.
Some people are able to produce a video with just a quick idea, and then think up the content as they film it. One of the greatest examples of this I’ve ever seen is (of course) Casey Neistat. I remember once he started in his video by talking about the battery problems he was having on his electric skateboard. Interestingly, it’s not the main story of the video, but it was like this secondary problem that he mentioned. Then, right at the end of the video, he was talking to the camera about something completely unrelated to the skateboard, but whilst he was talking he was replacing the battery in the skateboard. That’s two narratives running alongside each other. That might not sound overly impressive, but when you put it in the context of producing stories every single day and figuring out as the day progresses, what to include in your video and what not to, it really is an amazing skill set.
Personally, I prefer to actually write and visualise the video in full before filming anything. If it’s a VO-driven narrative, I’ll write it, and make a note of key visual ideas. This helps me ensure there’s a story that makes sense. I also find it useful for imagining possible humor to include, or pauses, or even possible shot choices like timelapses, or shots that need specific props.
That’s how I like to work, you should do whatever comes natural to you. Maybe rather than scripting the whole thing, you would rather write out the key points, and then adlib as you talk, or maybe you don’t like to write anything down at all, and just have it all in your head. They all have their own pros/cons, but usually I think it comes down to what kind of creator you are - and things like this course are great steps in figuring that out.
So if you’re not sure where you sit at the moment with these, try stuff out, see how you like it. I have tried to make videos without scripting, and honestly, the videos were just a mess. That’s ok, I’ll try something else.
So, lets get started with your first lesson, ‘Building Your Structure’.
