voice-over work: is there a standard "script" format?

[DK]

I know this is an unusual question, but here goes. When recording
voice-overs for projects like commercials or documentaries, are there
any format standards for the scripts? Specific elements like font,
margins, headers and/or footers, production notes, pronunciation keys,
anything like that? So if I were preparing hardcopy for professional
voice-over talent, what might they be expecting to see? Thanks in
advance for replies.

- Dave K.

[Chris!]

"DK" > wrote in message
om...
> I know this is an unusual question, but here goes. When recording
> voice-overs for projects like commercials or documentaries, are there
> any format standards for the scripts?

Nothing really chisled into stone other than the following:

>Specific elements like font,
> margins, headers and/or footers, production notes, pronunciation keys,
> anything like that?

For north American announcers use fonts with a serif--something in theTimes
family--and always use upper and lower case. Font size shouldn't any smaller
than 12 and 14 is wonderful to read. Decent one inch or better margins and
PLEASE double space... you gotta have space to write notations and changes.

So if I were preparing hardcopy for professional
> voice-over talent, what might they be expecting to see?

If you are going to fax the scripts for God's sake clean your fax machine
first.


--
Chris White, Freelance Advertising Writer & Voice Overs*
Email: Web: www.chriswhite.com
Phone: 757-621-1348
*Your opinion may vary

[Patric D'Eimon]

with unquestioned accuracy of thought, Chris! replied:

>
> "DK" > wrote in message
> om...
>> I know this is an unusual question, but here goes. When recording
>> voice-overs for projects like commercials or documentaries, are there
>> any format standards for the scripts?
>
> Nothing really chisled into stone other than the following:
>
>> Specific elements like font,
>> margins, headers and/or footers, production notes, pronunciation keys,
>> anything like that?
>
> For north American announcers use fonts with a serif--something in theTimes
> family--and always use upper and lower case. Font size shouldn't any smaller
> than 12 and 14 is wonderful to read. Decent one inch or better margins and
> PLEASE double space... you gotta have space to write notations and changes.
>
> So if I were preparing hardcopy for professional
>> voice-over talent, what might they be expecting to see?
>
> If you are going to fax the scripts for God's sake clean your fax machine
> first.
>
I concur with Chris on all points. I would add, especially for multiple
voices (but also for single voices) I write the voice lable (Voice 1, Mr
Smith, Car Salesman #1, Car Salesman #2, etc) at the edge of the margin and
Tab in for the body of the copy. So that the Voice lable is always hanging
on the left of the copy in it's own margin. Does that make sense? It's
harder to describe than I thought it would be. In that same margin, usually
in italics I indicate sound effects (SFX), music beds/effects (MFX, music)
and tab in to write whatever directions go with that effect. Just as if it
were a voice.

It ends up looking like 2 columns but it's not.

Patric

[Marc Wielage]

On Wed, 19 Nov 2003 11:16:45 -0800, DK wrote
(in message >):

> I know this is an unusual question, but here goes. When recording
> voice-overs for projects like commercials or documentaries, are there
> any format standards for the scripts?
>--------------------------------snip----------------------------------<

Depending on how professionally you want to write them, Final Draft is a
particularly good scriptwriting program for stuff like this. You can get
info on the program here:

http://www.finaldraft.com/av/index.html

You can also download the demo for free, which is a pretty good deal.

--MFW

[Ty Ford]

In Article >,
(DK) wrote:
>I know this is an unusual question, but here goes. When recording
>voice-overs for projects like commercials or documentaries, are there
>any format standards for the scripts? Specific elements like font,
>margins, headers and/or footers, production notes, pronunciation keys,
>anything like that? So if I were preparing hardcopy for professional
>voice-over talent, what might they be expecting to see? Thanks in
>advance for replies.
>
>- Dave K.

No standards, but....

12 point type, double spaced is good, especially if there are any changes
during the session that have to be written in. Otherwise 1.5 space is
appreciated. If the lines are too close, the eye has more difficulty jumping.

Have a nice light shining on the copy, but not in the eyes of the narrator.
Have a sharp pencil with a good eraser and a pitcher of fresh, room
temperature water.

Headphones should not have appreciable delay. One studio here uses an 02R
and the headphone feed is delayed slightly. I usually take one earcup off so
it doesn't mess me up.

Some talent like standing, some like sitting. I don't care unless it's a
session that takes over an hour. Then I like to sit.


Regards,

Ty Ford



**Until the worm goes away, I have put "not" in front of my email address.
Please remove it if you want to email me directly.
For Ty Ford V/O demos, audio services and equipment reviews,
click on http://www.jagunet.com/~tford

[Dave Spiker]

If your word processor has an auto hyphenation feature, turn it off. No
hyphenated words at the ends of lines.

I've found a sans serif font like Arial is easier to read than Times
Roman -- but that's just me.

Scripts that sync with anything visual (video, Powerpoint, etc.) are often
divided into columns -- one column with VO copy, other column with
description of the visual element.

Good idea to put some clues at the top of the script as to the presentation
style or a description of the character. Good talent wants to know who the
audience is, what character they play (if any), any emotional dynamics, hard
sell vs soft sell, warm and fuzzy vs. bold. If it's straight announcer
copy, is it "guy next door" or "Gary Owens"? If it's an edgy character, do
you want Dennis Leary or Sylvester Stallone?

If they're playing a character, they often like to dream up a "back
story" -- what was the character doing/thinking right before the recording
started? If you have your own back story, good to describe it.

Dave

"DK" > wrote in message
om...
> I know this is an unusual question, but here goes. When recording
> voice-overs for projects like commercials or documentaries, are there
> any format standards for the scripts? Specific elements like font,
> margins, headers and/or footers, production notes, pronunciation keys,
> anything like that? So if I were preparing hardcopy for professional
> voice-over talent, what might they be expecting to see? Thanks in
> advance for replies.
>
> - Dave K.

[Ralf Köster]

I do even put numbers (line counts or chapter counts) in a separate =
column. So it's easy to say "please read again from number suchandsuch".

And (has nothing to do with formating) I write acronyms/abbreviations as =
they are supposed to be spoken literally. Such I can think about this in =
advance and don't have to phone up the author/client while the =
narrator/speaker is waiting. This is especial true for scientific or =
technical instruction type of video.


....Ralf