Script Basics

One of the irrevocable parts of voice acting is a script. Obviously, a voice actor cannot proceed to recording without a script. The script also has a big contribution in the whole outcome of the recording.

Just imagine voice acting without scripts. Meet Lavinia Goldworthy, a jolly and funny girl, who is about to do voiceover work for a cartoon show.

Now, picture her in a recording booth. Everything from the microphone to the computer is already set up. The only thing that is lacking is a voiceover script. Imagine Lavinia and the director taking time talking about what to say behind the microphone. The director is also telling Lavinia the proper emotions and intentions that the lines should conjure up.

The written script is too cold and linear, the lines doesn’t have the right size for an easy reading, no highlights, nothing, just plane text. Lavinia needs a great deal of concentration to apply the instructions she is getting from the artistic director at the other side of the booth.  Precious mental energy and time are wasted. The next thing Lavinia knew was that her punchy voice was gone and she was dead tired. She was as frustrated as her producer.

Having a script makes the work easier. It contains all the instructions needed so that the director has only minimal added instructions for the voice actor. As for the voice actor, a script helps him grasp the whole idea of the recording, all in one paper.

So, what is a voiceover script?

A script is simply a write-up of what should be spoken by a voice actor in a recording.

In this post we will be tackling the ways on how to format and evaluate a script so once the recording starts, there will be lesser adjustments needed.

Photo courtesy of Sami Keinänen

 

How To Format A Voiceover Script

Peter Drew, a famous voice actor, wrote an article about writing scripts. Here are some bullet points that will help you:

For Commercial Ad Scripts

• Before anything else, you have to determine what the ad is all about.
• Determine your target market. Your goal is to have your script like a simple one-on-one conversation with these people.
• Use AIDA: Attention, Interest, Desire, and Action. Grab the audience’s attention, make them interested with your offer, make them have that desire to get it, and give them the means to getting it.

For Narrations

• Use the story board as a guide to the development of the script.
• If there is no story board, start by making a rough outline and gradually develop it into a script. The result will be a smooth-flowing script.

For All Scripts in General

• Double-space the lines so it will be easier to read. Leave white spaces for any notes that you might make later on.
• Make sure that when you include numbers in the script, it should also be considered as words and therefore should be included in the count for timing. To get the actual length of the read, write the numbers in word form.
• As always, “write for the ear, not for the eye”. Make sentences that are short and conversational rather than long and formal.
• Read your script out loud and time yourself. If you exceed or come short with the intended time, adjust the script.
• If you can persuade the producer, make the sentences active not passive. Active voice is more conversational and easier to understand and follow.

How to Evaluate a Voiceover Script

Finishing a script doesn’t mean it is ready to be read and recorded. You still have to evaluate it. Evaluating it tells whether a script will be effective when someone listens to it. Renuka Tikekar, an associate instructional designer, came up with five questions that can be your criteria in evaluating a script.

1. Are you able to understand it the first time? Remember that scripts are meant to be listened. Meaning, a listener will not have the luxury to pause-play it and comprehend what it means. Be sure that it can be easily understood at one listening.
2. Is the language simple and clear? In connection with the first question, words in the script need to be simple, lucid and clear for the same purpose: so it is easy to understand.
3. Is the tone friendly and conversational? Listeners tend to remember something that is conversational rather than formal. Being conversational will most likely attract listeners because it has that proximal feel to it.
4. Are there sufficient pauses for the listeners to process the information? Make sure that there are pauses marked in the script. This allows listeners to process the content of what you have just said.
5. Does it have pronunciation guidelines?  There are times when unfamiliar words have to be included in the script. Make sure that there is an accompanying pronunciation guide to save time. Also, if there are words that need emphasis, have them in bold or italic so the voice actor would know.

It’s simple, right? As a voice actor, you need not be limited by script that looks cold and boring. You should be able to prepare the script you are given, write notes, highlighting and underlining keywords and expressions, even adding some color to enhance key points. If there is no storyboard and you like to draw, yes draw something that helps you imagine the idea, the concept, the character, the product.  So at some point in the studio you need to make those lines your own, so you better have them nice in front of your eyes. Do you agree? What’s your recipe to make scripts nicer to read? Any tips will be much welcome.