Ever find yourself in the position of having to quickly write a short reality based video?
It could be a news segment for a TV station or local newspaper website...perhaps it's a short promo or corporate video.
No matter what the subject..there is an easy way to write and organize your material without pulling your hair out.
Step One:
Evaluate your footage..find the best Sound bites and Chill Footage ( Cinema Verite) segments. For a short video, all you need are three to six good Soundbites. Soundbites are short clips selected from an Interview.
It just makes sense to use the best material you have. Don't get tied down by WORDS..think best experiences...strongest Interview bites...Just watch your footage and take notes..The best material needs no rationalization. It just works. Use the timecode on your camera or editing software to note the timing of the best stuff. ( Final Cut Pro X has some great ways of organizing inside the software, Keyword collections and more)
Step Two:
Arrange the best interview elements in the order they will appear. I call this the "Sound Bite Flow Chart"...it's a rough outline. I then start scripting and write to the Bite.
Once you have an idea of the flow of your main elements. You can begin to script...this is easier and more fun than trying to be an Einstein and create a script out of thin air.
Step Three:
Start brainstorming the connections between these elements and then begin to "Write to the Bite".
The elements tell you what to write. Start connecting the dots..
Instead of creating the narration out of thin air, Soundbites help tell you what to write.
EXAMPLE: You are writing a promo video. You have an Interview with a customer as your Second Sound Bite....that means you need to write "set up" narration that introduces this person and what they are going to say.
This technique of finding the best stuff..organizing a rough order, than using these as a guide to writing your script is a common technique for writing news segments.
Step Four:
Your last soundbite..at the bottom of your "Soundbite flow Chart" should be a "BUTTON"
TV producers are always looking for a sound bite or simple phrase that "Buttons up the piece", it adds closure to the segment.
As you are going thru your footage...you will most likely stumble upon a phrase that really does sum it all up...in an emotional way..or using humor....you will know it when you see/hear it...you mind will say" Hey that's a nice Button for the piece"...start searching for buttons when you log your footage.
Summary
Please click on Video below to watch DVworkshops.com Instructor Aron Ranen explain "WRITE TO THE BITE"
It could be a news segment for a TV station or local newspaper website...perhaps it's a short promo or corporate video.
No matter what the subject..there is an easy way to write and organize your material without pulling your hair out.
Step One:
Evaluate your footage..find the best Sound bites and Chill Footage ( Cinema Verite) segments. For a short video, all you need are three to six good Soundbites. Soundbites are short clips selected from an Interview.
It just makes sense to use the best material you have. Don't get tied down by WORDS..think best experiences...strongest Interview bites...Just watch your footage and take notes..The best material needs no rationalization. It just works. Use the timecode on your camera or editing software to note the timing of the best stuff. ( Final Cut Pro X has some great ways of organizing inside the software, Keyword collections and more)
Step Two:
Arrange the best interview elements in the order they will appear. I call this the "Sound Bite Flow Chart"...it's a rough outline. I then start scripting and write to the Bite.
Once you have an idea of the flow of your main elements. You can begin to script...this is easier and more fun than trying to be an Einstein and create a script out of thin air.
Step Three:
Start brainstorming the connections between these elements and then begin to "Write to the Bite".
The elements tell you what to write. Start connecting the dots..
Instead of creating the narration out of thin air, Soundbites help tell you what to write.
EXAMPLE: You are writing a promo video. You have an Interview with a customer as your Second Sound Bite....that means you need to write "set up" narration that introduces this person and what they are going to say.
This technique of finding the best stuff..organizing a rough order, than using these as a guide to writing your script is a common technique for writing news segments.
Step Four:
Your last soundbite..at the bottom of your "Soundbite flow Chart" should be a "BUTTON"
TV producers are always looking for a sound bite or simple phrase that "Buttons up the piece", it adds closure to the segment.
As you are going thru your footage...you will most likely stumble upon a phrase that really does sum it all up...in an emotional way..or using humor....you will know it when you see/hear it...you mind will say" Hey that's a nice Button for the piece"...start searching for buttons when you log your footage.
Summary
- Don't try and be a genius and write the script first, base your writing around pre-existing clips.
- Find the best sound bites
- Arrange them in an order that tells your story
- Write to the Bite and create a script based on the material you have.
Please click on Video below to watch DVworkshops.com Instructor Aron Ranen explain "WRITE TO THE BITE"