How to Write a Good Script
- Iegor Bakhariev (Unlicensed)
I know, you want to just go and get cracking on that script, but let’s talk through a few things that will help you to make this experience smoother, better and painless, for everyone.
It All Starts with a GOOD TOPIC.
For the video to be successful, the topic should be:
Interesting
Popular
How do I know if a topic is good?
Check what competitors have posted lately.
Check Google/YouTube trends.
Always keep up with the news in your field.
Look at your own videos that has performed well, a lot of times you can do several videos on the same topic.
Idea vs Theme
You’ve decided on a topic for your video. But before you start writing the script, you should answer two questions:
What is this story similar to? (theme)
How does this story differ from any other story? (idea)
Now go ahead and formulate the main idea of your story in one concise sentence.
Why should I do that?
You want your video to be consistent throughout: all the parts should be in tune. You don’t want the viewer to be lost. For that you need to establish the central idea of your video and follow it while writing the script.
Examples:
Shrek
Theme: Love-story between a knight in shining armour and a princess.
Idea: A story about an ogre, banished from his land by the people, who embarks on a mission to rescue a princess from a dragon and falls in love with her along the way.
Die Hard
Theme: A hero comes to save the day and rescue people from evil.
Idea: A story about a cop, who comes to wins back his wife, but ends up in the middle of a hostage drama, try to rescue her and everyone in the building.
Mapping and Planning
Writing is fun, but planning should make up 60-80% of the process.
Write down the main hooks: no less than 2 in a 3-5 minute video.
Place them in a logical order, starting with the hookiest parts first.
Check if your ideas for the intro match with your conclusions.
Write down a 4-5-point breakdown of the story in bullet points. If needed, send it to your boss, to get feedback before you start writing.
What is a Hook?
“A good story should make you laugh, and a moment later break your heart.” (c) Chuck Palahniuk.
A hook is a section of the video that makes the viewer want to continue watching your video. Just like a good love story, it starts with three simple words:
Empathy
Curiosity
Stakes
The best stories make the viewer feel for the character (be they good or bad). This makes them curious what will happen to them next. And the stakes make the viewer worried for the characther, wondering what will happen next. The higher relevant stakes are, the better. But make sure it flows naturally with your story.
By just thinking how to make the viewer feel for you character and what might surprise them, you will automatically make your script better.
When thinking of empathy, think of one specific emotion you want to trigger, and try hitting that spot.
Examples of great storytelling in different genres
Beluga — comedy (short)
The Dodo — animal stories (short)
Middle 8 — music (long)
Movies — movies/series (long)
The Showest — celebrities (long)
Raymar Football — sports (long)
Show. Don’t Tell
Show everything, tell nothing.
This rule that is very important for writers, but it is as applicable for video creators (also refers to as exposition). It’s all about action: every emotion, should be supported by appropriate action.
When writing a scene the visuals should complement the narration or text, they SHOULD NOT repeat it.
No-no verbs: likes, thinks, wants, loves, etc.
Four Building Blocks
Every video, be it an animal story, a review or a funny sketch, consists of these four parts. Yours should too:
Setting — gives context for the viewer so they unconsciously understand what the video will be about. It is composed of many things, e.g.: music, background, tone of voice, objects.
Problem — the one central talking point of the video. It does not necessarily has to be a real problem, it can be just a central idea.
Solving in progress — this is where all the hooks come into place. Solving can take 1 minute, 3 minutes or 10. The result is still the same, we keep circling back to the same old problem.
Result + Morale — that’s the logical conclusion for the problem. It doesn’t necessarily have to be solved. But the viewer should have a sense of completion, whether actual or philosophical. Open-ended questions for the viewer, relating to the problem, also work.
Four different videos. Still four distinct parts
First Three Minutes
First three minutes are generally the most important when it comes to engagement. If your viewers have watched up to the 3rd minute, they will probably finish the video.
Some important things to remember
0 — 10 sec | 10 — 30 sec | 30 sec — 2 min |
|---|---|---|
Match with the title and the thumbnail Straight to the point Give clear context Aim at one emotion | Explain the problem Good time for a joke Can give interesting facts Break the flow with a sudden change of tempo/music/storytelling | Surprise or conflict 2nd hook + 2nd emotion Introduce new character Conclude the video (if 3 minutes short) Double down on the problem in different words (if the video is longer than 3 minutes). |
Music
Even thought it’s more of an editor’s field of play, music is so vital for the success of your story. So it’s important to think about it while writing the script or working together with the editor.
Music should not take all the attention, but it should complement the main emotion of the segment.
Use of sound effects can keep the viewer engaged.
Use of pauses in music. (Notice how the creator stopped the music to focus your attention on 01:12).
Good to Remember
A link to the checklist and planning document: cheat sheet link
The first 5 seconds of the video play a huge role for the CTR (click through rate). They should should match the title and the thumbnail.
When have doubts, always ask for a qualified second opinion .
Watch competitors’s videos at least once a week.