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How does one write for cable? or fiber optics? or any other electronic mass medium? Writing is writing is writing. No matter what technology is used to send and receive the audio and visual signal the program form is essentially the same. TV restricted by small screen and the amount of time: 21-24 for half-hour show, 42-49 for hour-long show. The writer must always keep in mind that TV is visual. The radio/TV communication process is essentially one-to-one: the presenter at the microphone or in front of the camera and the individual receptor at home

Structure while writing for Broadcast

Introduction Its purpose is to command the attention of the audience. To do this,the introduction should be written inconversational style. Use short, punchy sentences. Use a creative "teaser" stating your objectives

Body Where the details are presented. The how-to
Conclusion Tell them what was said before in short.Wrap it up

EWS WRITING FOR BROADCAST

1. Broadcast news is telling - not chronicling - what happened. The style should be conversational, informal but not cozy

2. No array of facts - especially figures can be thrown at the listener all at once. The fewer figures the better. "Spoon feed" your audience

3. Each sentence, ideally, should contain only one idea or image

4. And sentences generally should be brief. Be specific. Vague, generalized action or information tends to be confusing

5. In broadcasting writing, be brief. A good news story ranges from a few hundred to a few thousand words. The same story on radio or TV may have to fit into 30 seconds - 100 words - or if it's important, 90 seconds

6. Personalize. Demographics are essential to understanding and reaching a specified audience.

7. Try to relate the style and content of your writing to that audience..Be natural. No flowery language.For example, avoid the tendency to write this way:* Enough timber was consumed by the rampaging fire in the north woods to create 232 thousand square feet of prime budding lumber, the embers of these never-to-be-realized residential manors reaching in the heavens above charred, twisted treetops, disappearing into the void fire hordes of migrating fire flies.Instead,write:
   The north woods fire destroyed enough timber to build 100 six-room homes, the smoke and flame visible as far as 40 miles away

8. Use slang ONLY for characters in a play

9. Use the present tense verb and the active voice

10. Thou shalt not dangle attribution. Don't end a sentence with attribution; put it up front

SCRIPTWRITING FOR FILMMAKING

Anyone who has any ideas to spread a message visually can be a scriptwriter To help you get started in the scriptwriting process professionally,ere are some tips

• Anyone who has any ideas to spread a message visually can be a scriptwriter To help you get started in the scriptwriting process professionally, here are some tips

• Start by dividing your page into two columns. Video commands, explanations of what shots you need, and other special effects should be listed on the leftside; anything related to the audio should be included on the right side. This will help you visualize what you need to say, and will remind you to explain what you need to show

• Decide what the of approach your video will need. Do you need a straight voice-over (narration over video)? Will it be hosted by someone? Hosted by a professional? Will you include interviews? What a character will look like in case of a fiction story?

• Consider your audience. What will the audience members' interests be? How long will you be able to retain their attention? An adult audience's attention span will last about 8 to 10 minutes, if the viewer does not have a vested interest in the subject matter. If the viewer does, then the attention span can be stretched a little longer. For children, plan for three to five minutes. This is often one of the most difficult aspects of writing a good script. There is often too much to include in a short time-span

• Write the way you speak. Write for the ear, and remember that unlike something written, your audience cannot go back and refer to something in a previous paragraph. Most people will not stop a tape and rewind to refresh their memories, so write in simple, easy-to-understand sentences

• When you've finished writing your script, use the following as a checklist

• 1. Have I explained myself in simple language? (When I read the script aloud, does it sound like I'm talking to an audience or just reading to an audience?)

  2. Have I avoided technical language

  3. Have I used music and natural sound (background sound) to help tell my story and break up constant narration or interviews?

  4. Do I have any lists or main ideas that could be reinforced on the television screen as they are being discussed?

  5. Will my audience be interested throughout my entire program?

• To save time, use on-screen text to support what you need to state. Another method of saving time is by avoiding lengthy introductions and conclusions. Remember that your video tells a story without your needing to state everything. If your video about an academic program shows children intent and focused on a lesson, you do not need to tell your audience that children in this program are 'intent and focused on their lessons

• Once you have a completed script, if you used two equal video columns on 8.5×11 - inch paper (12 font size), consider that a full column of video will last about 30 to 45 seconds per page. After you've finished writing your script, why not let someone in your intended audience read over it? You may learn that you haveincluded jargon or inadequate explanations in some areas. You also can determine what areas your intended audience will find the most and least interesting

Storyboarding

Usually the last step while scriptwriting it makes your job much easier when you shoot your program or film. Storyboarding is:

1. Rough sketch of the anticipated shot. Emphasis on rough

2. Number them to when you will change a shot on your script

3. Give commentary at the bottom

4. What this does is gets you to visualize what your show will look like

5. Also if going to different cameras, let you know if will have problems.

6. Draw outline of set and cameras to see if will move

TYPES OF CONTENT

Information- content that informs. Can come from pictures and movement, as well as from speech, other sounds, or their combinations

Description - content that gives form to the qualities and characters of a subject so that the viewer can understand and appreciate it. Describe things simply to verify that others

Narration - content that tells a story. Perhaps the most powerful means of communicating content. Has a beginning, a middle, and an end.

Question - seeks some answer or resolution. Try to keep the audience "hanging." mystery

Conversation - content that allows the audience to observe an interaction between two or more people. Role-playing. Need to be able to communicate relationship.