Comments on: Script format for :30 commercials?

Question: Script format for :30 commercials?

JMB1138 — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 12:41:46 -0800

Script format for :30 commercials?I've been asked by a local company to write scripts based upon concepts I've given them for :30 commercial spots to air on local cable. I know it's not a big deal, but since I'm anal about proper format in general, I was wondering what the proper formatting is for this kind of script. Plus I'm simply curious.

I have Final Draft and am comfortable with basic screenplay format, teleplay format for 1 hour dramas, and stage plays. Is there a specific way to write a commercial script or is it irrelevant cause it's so short and anything goes?

By: JMB1138

JMB1138 — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 12:44:55 -0800

Note the irony that I say I'm anal about proper formatting yet I improperly formatted my post. Don't think it doesn't bother me.

By: ryecatcher

ryecatcher — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 13:01:17 -0800

Generally, when I used to work on commercials (two years or so ago), it was the same as basic screenplay format.

And I don't think it's changed at all.

best of luck

By: nathancaswell

nathancaswell — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 13:25:41 -0800

You'll be fine with screenplay format.

By: krautland

krautland — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 13:51:08 -0800

there is no real format you are supposed to keep, every other agency has a different way to lay them out, but it would be proper to separate voice and action the way you are used to from other scripts. put the camaign, title and :30 on top and you're done.

hint: time your voice. if you need more than 15 sec to say it all, it won't work in a :30.

By: pzarquon

pzarquon — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 16:09:22 -0800

I can't find an example of it online, but the agencies I've worked with used a simple table. Two columns. Just "video" and "audio" (voiceover text, music and FX), going down the page. And it was very rarely longer than one page.

There's a temptation to overdirect (i.e. describe it in exhaustive detail), but usually that stuff is left to the director, not the writer.

By: softlord

softlord — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 05:52:05 -0800

since you didnt say whether it would be TV or Radio, the advice given to us when writing radio spots is:

WRITE IN ALL CAPS SO THERES NO CONFUSION AS TO WORDS.

WRITE OUT ALL PUNCTUATION THAT IS SPECIFICALLY TO BE SAID (i.e. W W W DOT META FILTER DOT COM).

By: Mister_A

Mister_A — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 12:55:34 -0800

Write it in screenplay format, or in the audio/video table format described above - whichever you are most comfortable with. The video crew will eventually format the script into a "shooting script" in the format with which they are most comfortable.