Writing for cameras vs. Writing for the page

BobSacamano · Jan 28, 2013

Glenn Stout said:

One of the most enlightening experiences I ever had was consulting on a biographical video documentary for public broadcasting - the subject was a well-known figure and his story contained significant and serious political and cultural issues. Near the end of the process I was asked to fact-check the script - both VO and all spoken interview dialogue. If I recall correctly, for the 42 or 44 minute production, the entire script was only about 1500 words. I wasn't naive - my wife used to write for TV news, so I wasn't expecting Shakespeare - but I read it and was mortified. It read as if written by and for a ten-year old - no serious content whatsoever, completely simplistic, essentially a kids book, and not a very good one. I was certain the project was going to be a massive failure.

Several months later, it aired. When paired with image and music, it was another animal altogether. Widely praised by critics, it later won a local Emmy and was aired many, many times.

Taught me this - virtually any documentary video or film script, standing by itself, is almost entirely without serious content. For most subjects, the 1200-1500 words that will be used in a film designed for an hour-long broadcast goes no deeper into a subject than a basic news a feature of the same length, and usually far, far less.

But speak those words, pair it with video, and add music, and the IQ level goes up a hundred points. The banal becomes brilliant - there's a reason they don't print the scripts afterwards.
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Amazing anecdote. Instantly reminded me of all the trailer recuts you can find on Youtube. One of my favorites is The Shining:

Quality is definitely in the hands of the competent editor, something I learned quickly as an intern. I submitted a very simple draft the other day and it worked out. Still having trouble believing I'm being paid for this.

SockPuppet · Jan 29, 2013

As someone making the transition from writing for the "page" vs. writing VOs and my own scripts, agree with all that's been said here and appreciate the tips offered. It is indeed 2 different species. Still often crank out a quick script then get to voicing it and wonder, "Who the eff wrote this?" Oh ... right.

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Writing for cameras vs. Writing for the page

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Writing for cameras vs. Writing for the page

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