OUAN501 - Practical, Script Writing

I've always been quite font of writing, and enjoy the process of scriptwriting. I spent quite a few hours on this particular script because I was constantly removing and adding certain sections. This is the second time I've written a script for a documentary format and within a similar time frame too so I was quite used to the process. I wanted to make the editing and sequencing stage of the process as straight forward as possible, so I made sure to note down and directions for fades or the way certain elements should move within the script. I also added notes for certain sections that I had in mind to be in the background of the narration. For example, a montage playing at the end of the documentary. This was for the purpose of ease and overall organisation so that a later stage I wasn't scrambling to remember what my intention was with a particular section or phrase. Incorporating 'visual directions' to an extent made the overall process easier and also made the narration read much more like an actual script on paper.

A lot of the information I included in the documentary stemmed from my essay with some additional information that I either couldn't include due to the length of the essay or wasn't as relevant to my question. Writing the script with this in mind gave me the opportunity to expand on my research and what I had written, and use all of the information I'd collected. Coupled with this, when I was writing the script I realised that some of my original sources had been from documentaries or television programs. Tying in the narration some of the relevant sections of a television program for example also meant that I could in turn include excerpts from that program within the documentary. I was aiming for the script to work with a documentary that's around 3 to 5 minutes in length. I knew from last time I wrote a script for a piece with a 2 minute cap that it should be around 500 words or so, which would equate to around 3 minutes of talking depending on how fast I spoke. Of course, one redeeming factor is that I could cut section out after the narration was complete if I thought I had too much, I didn't want it to be too long however. Another aspect to the script I wanted to achieve was a natural flow from each section and area of subject matter to the next. I imagined that by linking various sections to another based on how relevant the material was would be an obvious approach, but also use language and words to my advantage to create seamless transitions between ideas that would only really be apparent in the visuals. Finally, there was something pleasing about the script I created in that when I was writing my essay I was trying to use appropriate language that suited, and also use a range of vocabulary to make the essay read as well as it could. With the documentary it feels and is much more conversational so it was easier to work and think of how to say something because it had to be communicated quickly and longer words were niether appropriate nor necessary.

I'm quite happy with how the script turned out and I think I've managed to contain all of the subject matter I wanted within it. In hindsight the ending does feel like it could have been a bit stronger and it tapers of quite abruptly - so this is something I would improve upon overall. Depsite this I think the length of the script and subsequent narration is an appropriate length for the context and purpose of the documentary piece I was creating.