Other scripted media products - P1.8

Film script:

The format and layout of film screenplays is fairly constant around much of the world, for example across Europe and in the ‘Bollywood’ (Indian) and ‘Nollywood’ (Nigerian) film industries. Some use English as an international language for the action, sluglines etc, with only dialogue in the local language. Others may retain the overall layout and format but use the local language throughout. European, Scandinavian and South American scripts are likely to this approach, and English-language translations may sometimes also be available. Where languages differ significantly from English (e.g. in the direction in which text is read), script formats can very more significantly, for example, if written n Arabic or Mandarin (for instance, for the large Hong Kong film industry).

Documentaries:

These typically use a similar format to TV news, allowing the organisation and editing together of audio and visual from potentially various sources and managing timings.

Radio dramas:

Radio drama scripts are differently formatted from TV drama. Character names and sound effects cues are left formatted whilst description and dialogue are indented around a third of the way into the page. Sometimes, underscoring is used, keeping cues and their associated description clearly connected.

News:

Radio news scripts often follow quite a simple format that says who speaks and what they say. Formatting can vary with different news broadcasters, for instance in how the expected duration of each item is measured. Different formatting may be used for any other sound effects, trailers or pre-recorded items played.

Radio current affairs:

Radio current affairs programmes will combine scripted elements with unscripted interviews. Presenters will speak live with interviewees using research and responding to the answers given. Additionally, contributions from other presenters such as specialist correspondents and weather presenters as well as pre-recorded items like news reports from correspondents around the world must be worked into the schedule. As a result the script would be set into times sections where the reporter will be told what to ask whereas the responder wouldn't be scripted.

Video games:

• Video game scripts may take a wide range of forms, depending on the type of game and the element of that game being scripted.
• Some narrative-driven games have cutscenes so a standard screenplay format would be used.
• Where players interact with NPCs dialogue trees displaying options and the resultant possible branches of conversation may be used.
• For sections where players move and explore freely, tables of short dialogue pieces and requires sound effects can be used to record events and the actions and situations that will cue them.
• Some game genres and formats will not require scripting, or will not require it for large sections. Instead, gameplay mechanics may be planned using diagrams, charts and flow diagrams to best express the specifics of the game.