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THIS TEMPLATE FOR writing a 2-column documentary film/video script comes with sample exercises so you can practice before using the template by itself. This file is written in traditional 12-point Courier and is downloadable as a Word file. For Mac, Option+Click to download as Word file; for PC, right click. I wrote this in 1898 as Freeware. Feel free to pass it on to other filmmakers. Template
for 2-column documentary script
Paragraph & Format Symbols: Once you have downloaded this file in Word, if you cannot see four paragraph symbols (¶) between this line and the paragraph above, select "Show ¶" under the VIEW menu, and they’ll pop into view. I strongly recommend that you activate this "Show ¶" mode when writing a script. With it activated you will have wealth of format information at your fingertips and will therefore know how to correct a format mistake (more on that, later).
How to Create a 2-Column Script: Here’s how to do it if you’re using Microsoft Word version 5.1 and earlier: 1. Choose "New" under the FILE menu. A blank worksheet opens. 2. Select "Table" under the INSERT menu. 3. Under Number of columns type "2"; under number of rows type "10"; under width type "3 in." Hit "OK".
Here’s how to do it if you’re using Microsoft Word version 6.0 and above: 1. Choose "New" under the FILE menu. A blank worksheet opens. 2. Select "Insert Table" under the TABLE menu. 3. Under Number of columns type "2"; under number of rows type "10"; under width type "3 in." Hit "OK". The table will now insert into your new worksheet. If you need to make space above the table to type the name of your project, hold down the Option-Comand keys at the same time, and then hit the Spacebar. The entire table will shift down one line. Two things to be mindful of when working with tables: 1) The more words you enter into a table cell the slower the scrolling of the script will be. Therefore, break up your speeches into a few sentences per cell. 2) Do not let words in a cell spill the cell over from the bottom of one page to the top of the next page. On your screen it reads fine, but when you print it out you’ll find that much of the contents of the cell will be missing. To correct this: 1. Place your cursor in the top left of the next lower cell, then go to FORMAT and choose "Table Layout". 2. Select "Row", then "Insert", and a new blank row will be inserted above the row where your cursor rests.
Using "Strikethrough": • you’ll notice
that parts of the transcript in the script fragment below are 1) You might change your mind tomorrow and decide the words really should stay. 2) You always want to know what you are choosing within the context of the whole speech. That is, if you start cutting and pasting too liberally, it is very easy to forget where the words came from in the documentary transcript when you need to reconstruct them. In Microsoft Word versions 5.1 and earlier, you get "Strikethrough" by selecting those words you want to get rid of, then holding down Shift-Command + "?". In Microsoft Word version 6.0, I’ve programmed the computers in the Film Department Computer Lab to respond to Control + "S". (For another computer elsewhere, you’ll have to program it yourself. Here’s how: 1. Select "Customize" under the TOOLS menu. 2. Select "Format" under "Categories". 3. Now place your cursor inside the "Commands" box and press "S". This will take you to all commands beginning with "S". 4. Click on "Strikethrough". 5. Click on "New Shortcut". You will see that there is no combination of keys to call "Strikethrough" up. 6. Press Control + "S" as the shortcut for "Strikethrough". You’ll notice in the script fragment below that I reduced the size of the struckthrough parts to get them out of the way visually. Do this by selecting the struckthrough words and pressing Shift-Command + "<". Conversely, to enlarge the selection, press Shift-Command + ">".
Using a Glossary in Word The Glossary in Word is very useful when working with scripts. You can enter items you repeatedly use, such as character names, scene descriptions, transitions, entire paragraphs into a glossary. Look under "Glossary" in the Microsoft Word Help file at the top of the WINDOW menu to learn about this feature. Some advanced shortcuts for those who have consulted the "Help" file: after typing in the name of your glossary entry or selecting it on the page, type a comma "," then without skipping a space type in a Lower Case shortcut name--preferably a single keystroke--followed by another comma "," then without skipping a space type in the same shortcut name keystroke in Upper Case. This will allow you to select the entry by the combination of (lowercase or uppercase) Keystroke + Return after you’re in the Glossary. A shortcut way of entering the Glossary: press Command + "K". You then manually select the entry you want to enter into your script. The shortest way to get into the Glossary: Command + "Delete". You will see that the page identifier at the left bottom of the page will change to "Name". You are now inside the Glossary. Now it wants to know the keystroke abbreviation for the item you want to choose. As I’ve indicated above, type the shortcut keystroke for your glossary entry, then hit "Return". Your glossary item will be instantly inserted into your script and the point of your cursor. Bingo! Since this is not a template, but a sample, you won’t need to select this file and delete it. After you’ve familiarized yourself by looking at it, just start your own 2-column tables on a new worksheet and begin your script. Good Writing! Peter Thompsson •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
2-Column Excerpt from "THE APPRENTICE" directed by Peter Thompson:
End of ExcerptThis is Freeware written in 1989 by Peter Thompson. Feel free to pass it on to other filmmakers with my blessing.
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