Blog | Zappl

prakash chavda
- Apr 15, 2021
- 1 min read

How do I read a video script?

Scene

Also called a slugline it tells you when and where the scene is set in 3 parts:

1) The first part tells you if the scene is set inside (interior/INT.) outside (exterior/EXT.) 2) The second part tells you the location of the scene 3) The third part refers to the time of the scene

EXT. FROZEN RIVER AND HILL – DAY – 1919

Action

This is a descriptor of what’s happening in the scene.

Character

The character is simple enough, it tells you who is speaking.

Parenthetical

A parenthetical is a description that appears below the name of a character and before their dialogue. It gives the actor the context of who they are speaking to or describes the way they are speaking.

Dialogue

The dialogue tells you what the character says in the scene.

Those are the five key elements of an AV or 2 column script:

Scene
Action
Character
Parenthetical
Dialogue

prakash chavda
- Apr 14, 2021
- 2 min read

How do I read a video script?

Scene
Action
Character
Parenthetical
Dialogue.

B-ROLL is a way to designate additional cutaway shots or other generic footage the editor can use to tell your story.
CU is a Close Up. This framing is just above the head to the upper chest.
ECU is an Extreme Close Up and shows even more detail than a close up – which is why it’s also called a detail shot.
EST is an Establishing Shot. This is usually the first shot of a scene. It’s used to establish the scene and provide the context of where the action is taking place.
LS means Long Shot. Think of a really wide shot where the camera is far away from the subject. That’s a Long Shot.
MOS is shorthand for filming without sound and i’s origin is entertaining. In the 1920’s a German director was shooting a film in Hollywood and said to his crew, “Now ve vill film mit out sound!” which they thought was hilarious and it stuck.
MS is a Medium Shot, which is also called a waist shot because it frames in the actors waist.
OS tells you the actor is physically Off-Screen. This is often used when a character is serving as a narrator for a scene. In the script you’ll see their name followed by a parenthetical of OS.
OTS is another frequently used camera angle and is an abbreviation of Over the Shoulder. In on OTS shot, the camera is lined up behind an actors shoulder with a medium shot of another actor who is facing the camera.
TITLE is just text that appears on a screen. It might include sub-titles or titles superimposed over the video.

There you go. 10 abbreviations you’ll see in a video script. In our third and final installment on how to read a script I’ll give you 6 practical suggestions that will help you approve your script with confidence knowing you won’t need extra changes later on. That’s in our last installment of “How do I read a script?” Have questions about YOUR video? Let us know: Visit our website www.zappl.in/blog ___________________________________ Zero Aperture production Pvt. ltd. is an video communications company that brings businesses perspective through ideas, messages and stories. Product Photography | Zappl | Zero Aperture Production Pvt Ltd |www.zappl.in | Product Explainer | Product Photography | Corporates documentary | Video Production | Promotional Videos | Internal Videos | Corporate Videos | Training Videos |Animation Video Marketing | Video Distribution | Video Advertising | YouTube | Testimonials Video

prakash chavda
- Apr 13, 2021
- 2 min read

How do I read a video script?

Don’t forget the video column. Probably the number one obstacle I’ve seen is that people can get so focused on the audio column, that they forget the video column. So read that video column, within the context of your story. Pay attention to the locations, times of day, action, and titles.
Expect a conversational tone. A good script is written for the ear and not the eye, which means a good script is conversational in it’s tone. We weren’t trying to write a technical white paper, we wrote a script, that will be spoken and shown. Which leads me to one of the most important recommendations…
Read your script out loud. There is no substitute for reading your script out loud. I usually print out a hard copy of the script, close my door and walk around my office reading. If you’ve got a team that is a part of this process, sit down with them and have a table read of your script. Reading your script out loud is invaluable not only for catching typos but for getting comfortable with the way your script will sound.
Read your script with feeling. The objective in reading a script aloud is to get a feel for the story. So read your script with dramatic flair, intensity, intention, and inflection to help you hear it differently.
Re-read your script…again. When re-reading I’m always amazed that what sounded great one day, just doesn’t make sense the next day. That’s why I recommend that after you’ve read your script, sit it down for a few hours or days and read it again. You’ll be amazed what you’ll hear.
Check your script against your Creative Brief. The message of your script should be in perfect alignment with your Creative Brief. That includes your objective, message, and your call to action. So as your reading through your script, have a copy of your Creative Brief close by to make sure your on- target.

Remember everything else is built off your approval of the video script. So use these 6 suggestions to approve your script with confidence.

Don’t forget the video column
Expect a conversational tone
Read your script out loud
Read your script with feeling
Re-read your script…again
Check the script against your Creative Brief

Use these 6 recommendations will give you the confidence to approve your script so you won’t need extra changes later on.

How do I read a video script?

How do I read a video script?

How do I read a video script?

Hours of operation

contact us

Menu