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A few weeks back, The Photoshop Fairy (who has a very mesmerizing channel, btw)
Asked the following question:
Hey Tara, Can you please do a video on using scripts in youtube videos?
Do you use a script yourself?
Maybe some tips for youtubers struggling with what to say in videos and aren't very confident
in speaking.
Love your videos btw :)”
Why, THANK YOU.
I love yours, too!
I think I'm hooked.
Casablanca - 'I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship'
So, today I’m going to talk about scripting your videos - when you should do it, why you
should do it, how to do it, and when you should probably NOT do it.
My name is Tara and this is ...Truly Social
So to answer your first question - YES - I use a script for my videos.
I have some old old videos where I didn’t use a script and, well, if you feel adventurous,
feel free to go back and look.
I’m a bit rambly.
It’s kind of what I do when I don’t have instant audience feedback.
“Fitzherbert….um....because that is his name.” Bridget Jones's Diary
And this is a thing, btw.
Many people are like me and are highly empathetic to their audiences emotions.
And we adjust to the feedback,
audible or visual, we get when talking to someone.
When we don’t have that feedback or the person we are talking with is hard to read,
we ramble to try to fill in all of the blanks that are...possibly...coming back at us.
So standing here in front of the camera, I have no idea if you need more or less information.
If you're furrowing your brow.
If you're believing me. If you're trusting me, or what?!
But scripting - it helps keep me on track.
You really want that. Well, I really want that.
You will learn to obey me, follow protocol, and stay fok-used at all times!' (Johann Kraus)
"Yeah, that word 'focused'? With your accent I wouldn't use it." Hellboy 2
And there are lots of other reasons why you would want to script:
#1 - you want to make sure you hit all of your points.
I’ve watched people on stage say things like, “I have three things I want to get
across to you” and then end up only talking about two or adding all sorts of bonuses to
the end because they go way over three.
Video isn’t as forgiving as a live event.
It’s there for people to come and watch out of context.
Scripting helps you gather those three things and make sure you hit all of them.
“It’s 3 agencies of government when I get there that are gone: Commerce, Education,
and, the uh, um, what’s the third one there?” Rick Perry at the Republican Debates
#2 - keeps your post-production time down.
Editing someone that goes all over the map and switches gears and misses points is a
nightmare.
The script turns it into a breeze.
Having a script also helps with following along with the edits.
I always send my editor notes and annotations in my script with suggestions for clips, animations,
and other editing directions.
"Check this out" (Charlie) "Take a look at this!"
'Jesus Christ!' Always Sunny in Philadelphia
#3 - a script also helps with closed captions!
That script comes in handy, once again, when making your closed captions on YouTube.
In your creator studio, just go into Subtitles/CC, click Add new subtitles or CC, pick your language,
then Transcribe and auto-sync.
When the empty box comes up, just paste your script into there and click ‘Set Timings’.
YouTube will, then, automagically line up your text with the speech!
Voila!
You have accurate, awesome closed captions.
#4 - scripting helps you plan your shots.
As you write and edit your script, you will be able to visualize different potential shots
you could take and plan for it.
"Well, you wouldn't want to miss out on the big picture, would you?"
"Uh-uh." I Heart Huckabees
And #5 - as per my example, scripting keeps you on track.
Even the best, most knowledgeable speakers can go off on a tangent.
Sometimes that’s fun, but if you’re doing Edutainment videos like I do?
Most people want you to get straight to the point.
'Shut up and get to the point' Futurama
As for how to write a good script? That's going be a whole other video, but as an overview:
Write colloquially, not formally.
I tend to talk out loud while I write so that it sounds like my own everyday voice, not
something stuffy or formal.
Next, start with something in your script " that will grab the attention of the audience
Maybe ask an interesting question or
tell a funny story.
Once you finish your script...
Practice practice practice.
Read it outloud and try how things roll - or don’t roll - off of your tongue.
Practice until you feel like you can deliver it totally naturally.
And then, once the camera is going, improvise.
You should feel so comfortable with your script that you can go OFF script.
So, then when should you NOT script?
"I AM Iron Man." [crowd goes wild] Iron Man
Well, lots of people can just wing this stuff and sound great.
If that is you?
High five!
'Haha! High fiving a million angels' 30 Rock
You should not script and I’m officially jealous.
Another reason I would advise against scripting is when you are in conversation with someone
else on camera.
A conversation that is scripted almost always looks scripted and stops any chemistry between
the two subjects.
"Chemistry sure is important to have...chemistry ...to have and use it." The Nutty professor
Another helpful note - when scripting, teleprompters are your friend.
I use two - the Parrot Teleprompter with my iPhone for my indoor stuff, and when I shoot
clients outdoors where it's a lot brighter, I use the Glide Gear TMP-500
Teleprompter with an iPad.
And I use the PromptSmart Pro app to do that cool scrolling stuff that makes it work.
It’s spendy for an app, but totally worth it.
I hope that was helpful and thanks again, Photoshop Fairy for your question!
Let me know if I answered everything for you.
And please subscribe and *bing* bell me.
My name is Tara and this has been ...Truly Social.