The most common house style (font and size) for scripts is Courier and size 12. This is because the font is very visible for people of all ages and abilities to see.
Screenplays have character descriptions to ensure that it is obvious what the character is doing therefore this tells the actor how they should play that part.
A computer game script also includes a flow chart because the game has various outcomes depending on what options the player uses.
Presenters and character sections will be set out on screenplays centrally and in capital letters during the synopsis write up. In Broadcast scripts the presenter names are also in capitals although they are not necessarily centralised, they are set out left justified.
Video games will feature a synopsis to make it clear what the aim of the game is.
Various scripts such as screenplays, TV scripts and theatre scripts have stage and location directions. This is to make it clear to the actors how they are meant to appear throughout their role and the location tells them how they are meant to act to adapt to the conditions.
Sounds effects will have their own section on a script. They will be named SFX which is script language for sound effects.
Mode of address means how somebody is spoken to. There are 3 types of modes of address. These are peer2peer. This means how you would talk to your friends which is informal. Teacher2pupil which is usually a mixture between formal and informal. Formal when teaching and explaining but informal when speaking. There is also parent2child which is both formal and informal but also informative. The mode of address depends on the genre of show, for example, a TV drama will be hard-hitting therefore it will be formal whereas a TV sketch will be light-hearted and informal.
The common narrative structures in screenplays has titles, a synopsis, location (INT. EXT.), has character names capitalised and in bold, has intonation in brackets under character name, it contains editing transitions such as cut to and fade in and out.
Narrative Structure
There are 4 different types of narrative structure in script writing.
1. Single stranded
This means that the story only follows one character. For example, in a video game, you play as one character within a story. Another example is the film Superman. Although there is other characters, the story follows one particular person.
2. Multi-stranded
This means that the story follows more than one character. An example of this is anything drama based such as soaps like Eastenders. The programme is filmed in different locations following different characters and story lines.
2. Linear
This means that the story is in chronological order. An example of this is a video game. The game will start with a synopsis video which informs the player of the aim of the game.
3. Non-linear
This means that the order of the story isn't in any order yet still makes sense. Examples of this are films such as Shutter Island which starts from the middle and works its way throughout the past and present.
Genre
TV Drama scripts tend to be fiction whereas documentaries are non-fiction.
Video games are a made up story meaning they are fiction.
Screenplays are usually fiction although sometimes they can be based on real life events and people which then makes them non-fiction.
TV News broadcasts are always non-fiction as they are informing an audience.
Interview scripts usually use probing questions which are non-fiction although they can sometimes be rumours which are made up making them fiction.
Target Audience
The target audience for TV drama scripts is middle-aged women usually mothers who enjoy the voyeuristic values of drama. They are usually of ABC1 demographics meaning they have a fair bit of disposable income. The age of TV drama scripts varies depending on watershed times. If the drama is broadcast at 9pm or later, it is intended for a more mature audience.
The target audience for video games are usually teenage boys who enjoy the escapism of being in a virtual world. Although they don't earn money themselves, they are dependent on their parents who are usually of ABC1 demographics meaning they have disposable income to spend on games. Games are given a PEGI rating which tells us what age the specific game is intended for. These ratings are 3+ 7+ 12A 12+ 15+ and 18+.
The target audience for screenplays vary throughout the genres. For example horror films will have a high teenage audience whereas cartoons will have a young audience and parent audience. Films are given an age rating which indicates what age the audience has to be. The options are PG, 12A, 15 and 18.
The target audience for TV news broadcasts is also very varied as anyone is permitted to watch the news although adults are usually more interested.
As I am creating a TV News Broadcast, here is a more in-depth analysis.
The style and content of a TV News Broadcast is written in a formal manner as they are story telling serious non-fiction headlines.
Although scripts follow a narrative structure, TV News Broadcast is different. It follows a running order within the studio with a presenter. However each story tells the audience what, when, where, why and how things have happened, informing them on the news.
The genre of TV News Broadcast is non-fiction as real things are being reported.
The target audience for TV news broadcasts is also very varied as anyone is permitted to watch the news although adults are usually more interested. The news is on throughout various times of the day such as 8am, 6pm and 10pm. This is to keep the audience up to date with the latest news.
Different abbreviations are used on TV News Broadcast scripts. These are...
N.I – No video support is shown and is read by the anchor/host (30 seconds long).
SILENT - presenters voice is linked to the visuals and is the only sound played.
NATSOT – presenters voice is linked to visuals and visuals have natural sound.
SOT – sound that is on a tape for example a voice over.
V.O – a voice over; presenter narrating visuals.
EXT. - exterior, outside
INT. - interior - inside
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