The power of a good story lies in its ability to provide content that resonates with the viewer. Scripting a documentary begins with the research and development of an idea. What is the unique selling point? Is it told from an unusual perspective? Does it educate and motivate the audience?

Story Creation Tips

• Determine who your primary target audience is and provide content that will inform and inspire the viewer.
• Formulate your story’s theme to help guide the script creation and limit your production to two or three main points.
• Tell your story through people. Find strong, central characters that the viewer can identify with.
• Use strong ambient sound to heighten realism and authenticity and allow the viewer to experience the events you are showing.
• Create a strong ending, something you build toward throughout the story.

Telly Silver Award Winner: History/Biography

Research and Develop Your Idea

• Identify sources of information including libraries, databases and individuals with a particular area of expertise.
• Meet potential contributors, scout locations, and experiment with visual elements.
• Collect and verify information. Record each source carefully – title, author, date and place of publication.
• Collate, evaluate and prioritize information. Check for restrictions on the use of information from interviews.
• Add details on locations, deadlines, costs, archive footage, graphics and animations that can be used for illustration.

Tip: Index your idea! Keep a stack of index cards on your breakfast table, your office desk and on your bedside table. When a phrase, image, or sound come to mind, jot down each thought on a separate card. Shuffle your cards and add notes to visualize how your story will come together.

The Script

The role of a production’s script is to convey (1) factual information, (2) create a mood, (3) reflect an environment and/or (4) represent a point of view. Remember: A video script should be written to be heard. Write your script in a way that sounds natural when read aloud. Check the script for factual accuracy, for any legal implications (libel, trade names) and for ambiguity. Finally, follow these general principles for writing:

• Use appropriate language for the intended audience. Avoid clichés, slang and jargon.
• Avoid redundancy in wording [young school children, professional surgeon]
• Use correct grammar; avoid double negatives and split infinitives.

Tip: Time your script by reading it out loud and using a stopwatch. The length of your script may affect the way the words and the visual elements interact.

Written by Kate Lee, Senior Media Producer at Smith College