Video News Script Template: T/C Vision Audio

1
Video news script template

This template can be used for initial practice in working towards the script. Please make a copy
for your own uses. This script template is for a 1 minute news story using separate columns for
audio and vision – both of which should be considered thoroughly.
T/C VISION AUDIO

In this In this column, describe the images In this column, describe the natural sound on
column (pieces of video) that best represent tape that will go here, or the audio of the reporter
insert the audio on the right hand side. or interviewee. This voice recording goes with the
number of video as described on the left hand side. (Note
seconds for that music is not used in news, unless as part of
each grab of the original recording, at the news event.)
vision and
audio
20 secs Graphics News Reader reads to camera
Describe the still images that could This is called the lead and read by the
be superimposed on screen, as Newsreader.
graphics, when the newsreader Two to three sentences revealing:
introduces story. - the story angle
- the point of the story.
About 20 seconds. About 20 seconds.
10 secs Video Insert introductory audio here. This section

This section begins the opening begins the audio-based material that is
images that will be assembled later assembled later in editing.
in editing. This section follows, and elaborates, on the lead
section as read by the newsreader.
This section follows and adds to the
words of the lead section. This could be:
- a voice-over,
- a short piece to camera or natural sound from
tape,
- like a transcribed interview, which goes with the
video as described on the left hand side.
10 secs Describe the images in the next Insert the next audio here.
grab here. Again, this could be:
- a transcribed interview,
It should continue to build the story - a voice-over,
from the previous section. - a short piece to camera or natural sound that
goes with the video as described on the left hand
side.
The section should continue to build the story

from the previous section.
http://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/Video_journalism
2
15 secs This video should continue to build This could be:
the picture story from the previous - a voice-over,
section. - a short piece to camera or sound like that
from an interview, which goes with the video as
The story should be established at described in the left hand column.
this point.
Continue to build the story from the previous
This section elaborates by giving section.
more visual information, which in
turn sets up the next section. The audio-based story should be established at
this point and telling the story, elaborating and
setting up the conclusion.
About 15 seconds.
About 15 seconds.
10 secs Begin to set up the picture-based Begin to set up the audio conclusion in this
conclusion in this section. section.
This could be: This could be:

- video accompanying a voice-over, - a voice-over,
- a short piece to camera or - a short piece to camera or sound that goes with
interviewee grab, the video (interviewee grab) as described on the
left hand side.
Transcribe the audio (in words) in
the right column.
About 10 seconds.
About 10 seconds.
10 secs The conclusion. The conclusion.

This could be: This could be:
- strong vision that goes well with - a voice-over,
the words of a voice-over, - a short piece to camera or sound that goes
- a short piece to camera or vision with the video (a wide shot with sound or an
belonging to the audio, as described interviewee) as described on the left hand side.
or transcribed on the right hand
side.
3
Script Evaluation Guide

This checklist AND the Recommended MEAA Code of Ethics (see below) provide
considerations for evaluating scripts:
Newsworthiness and Angle
What is the angle? Is it appropriate does it make the story worthy to run?
Is it important or interesting?
Is the story timely?
Are the news-values relevant to the community of interest?
What might be the extent of the impact or effect on the community?
Is the story being told creatively?
Accuracy and Fairness
Are facts and details accurate?

Are sources, community or camera subjects dealt with fairly?
Will participants be given all relevant information?
Ethical
Have the relevant points of the MEAA Code of Ethics been considered?
Legal
Ensure the script does not:

o defame anyone
o demonstrate perspectives of racism
o identify minors involved in or having parents involved in criminal cases
o cause contempt of court
o breach confidence or copyright
o require the news team to trespass while obtaining the story
o create a nuisance
o violate anti-terror legislation
Story Telling Practicalities
Is the story tight and visually stimulating?

Is the story feasible and technically possible – resources, time, locality?
Is the script imaginative and original?
Has it been edited thoroughly?
Does it avoid cliché? (Sometimes the use of cliché is the way to go)
Does it avoid distasteful, sexist or racist material?
Is the script / story of broadcast standard?
Aesthetics
Has consideration been given to

o location ideas for filming
o the intended use of elements such as graphics or audio inputs
o the piece to camera and voice-over
Lead, Structure, Flow and Coda
Does the Lead

o describe the crisis point or incident?
4
o set up the ‘angle’ of the story?
o summarise the key elements of the event or issue?
o focus on what is most newsworthy?
o maximise impact?
Is the Lead understandable in its own right?

Is the report structured in the manner of a modern news story?
Does the body of the story:
o support the Lead and maintain the focus on the ‘angle’?
o support the Lead and place it in context?
Is the body appropriate to the type of story – event or issue based
Does the coda or conclusion wrap up the action indicating a resolution to the story
Other Considerations
Are sentences relatively short?

Has sentence structure been kept as uncomplicated as possible?
Has appropriate vocabulary been used avoiding unnecessary long words, jargon or technical
terms?
Have names and titles been kept short and uncomplicated?
Are descriptions as concrete as possible?
Has actuality (interviews, on-location sounds and images) been used where possible?
Has the active voice been used?
Has the script been checked for spelling and other errors?
5
Code of Ethics
As recommended to the Australian Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) in
1997.
Journalists describe society to itself. They seek truth. They convey information, ideas and
opinions, a privileged role. They search, disclose, record, question, entertain, suggest and
remember. They inform citizens and animate democracy. They give a practical form to
freedom of expression. Many journalists work in private enterprise, but all have these public
responsibilities. They scrutinise power, but also exercise it, and should be accountable.
Accountability engenders trust. Without trust, journalists do not fulfill their public responsibilities.
MEAA members engaged in journalism commit themselves to:
● honesty
● fairness
● independence
● respect for the rights of others
In consultation with colleagues, they will apply the following standards:
1. Report and interpret honestly, striving for accuracy, fairness and disclosure of all essential facts. Do not
suppress relevant available facts, nor give distorting emphasis.
2. Make efforts to give the subject of any damaging report an opportunity to comment, preferably in that same
report.
3. Urge the fair correction of errors.
4. Use fair and honest means to obtain material. Avoid misrepresentation and use of concealed equipment or
surveillance devices.
5. Pictures and sound should be true and accurate. Any manipulation likely to mislead should be disclosed.
6. Plagiarism is stealing. Always attribute fairly.
7. Only quote directly what is actually said or written. Otherwise paraphrase. Meaning and context should be
accurately reflected.
8. Disclose any direct or indirect payment made for interviews, pictures or information.
9. Do not allow personal beliefs or commitments to undermine accuracy, fairness and independence. Where
relevant, disclose.
10. Do not allow any payment, gift or other advantage to undermine accuracy, fairness and independence. Where
relevant, disclose.
11. Do not improperly use a journalistic position for personal gain.
12. Guard against advertising or commercial considerations improperly influencing journalism. Where it occurs,
disclose.
13. Accept the right to privacy of every person. Public figures' privacy may be reduced by their public role.
Relatives and friends of those in the public eye retain their own right to privacy.
14. At times of grief or trauma, always act with sensitivity and discretion. Never harass. Never exploit a person's
vulnerability or ignorance of media practice. Interview only with informed consent.
15. Do not place unnecessary emphasis on personal characteristics including race, ethnicity, nationality, gender,
age, sexual orientation, family relationships, religious belief or physical or mental disability.
16. Never knowingly endanger the life or safety of a person without informed consent.
17. Exercise particular care for the welfare of children in reports involving them.
18. Respect every person's right to a fair trial.
19. Aim to attribute as precisely as possible all information to its source. When a source seeks anonymity, do not
agree without first considering the source's motive and any alternative attributable sources. Keep confidences
given in good faith.
20. Educate yourself about ethics and help to enforce this code.
Guidance clause
Basic values often need interpretation and sometimes can come into conflict. Ethics requires
conscientious decision-making in context. Only substantial considerations of public interest, or
substantial harm to people, allows any standard to be overridden.
6
7

Video News Script Template: T/C Vision Audio

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Video News Script Template: T/C Vision Audio

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

1

Video news script template

T/C VISION AUDIO

About 20 seconds. About 20 seconds.

10 secs Video Insert introductory audio here. This section

About 10 seconds. About 10 seconds.

The section should continue to build the story

About 10 seconds. About 10 seconds.

This could be: This could be:

10 secs The conclusion. The conclusion.

About 10 seconds. About 10 seconds.

Script Evaluation Guide

Newsworthiness and Angle

Accuracy and Fairness

Are facts and details accurate?

Ensure the script does not:

Story Telling Practicalities

Is the story tight and visually stimulating?

Has consideration been given to

Lead, Structure, Flow and Coda

Does the Lead

Is the Lead understandable in its own right?

Are sentences relatively short?

MEAA members engaged in journalism commit themselves to:

In consultation with colleagues, they will apply the following standards:

You might also like