Comments on: Making Your Script Voice Over Friendly

By: Connie Terwilliger

Connie Terwilliger — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 23:43:55 +0000

I don’t have anything to add, just saying “Hi!” to Bill Lenz!

By: 10 Tips For Getting the Most From Your Voice Over Session | ProComm Voice Over blog

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 17:45:05 +0000

[...] Formatting – The way your script is formatted plays a big role in the ease in which it can be read. Double spacing allows room to make copy edits [...]

By: Mike Harrison

Mike Harrison — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 18:30:45 +0000

I knew I’d eventually remember another great attribute for script formatting:

shorter line lengths.

Most ‘A/V’ scripts I’ve read from were formatted in a two- or three-column layout so that video, graphics and corresponding audio could be read ‘in-sync.’ This layout offers two additional benefits for the voice-over recording: the short line length not only minimizes the risk of accidentally skipping a line while reading, but it also allows the narrator to read ahead to anticipate changes in his or her delivery.

Even if the script we receive has only the text of the narration (no video or graphics), being able to see more of where the current thought is going without having to move our eyes as much helps maximize the confidence in the read. I prefer line lengths of no more than five inches.

A re-cap of ultimate narration script format attributes, then:

• A Word file (not PDF) in a script, not storyboard, format
• 8-1/2 x 11 inches
• 12-point (minimum) text, either Helvetica/Arial or Times/New Times Roman – no decorative fonts, please
• 1-1/2 line spacing
• Flush left (not justified)
• Sentence case (NOT ALL CAPS)
• Short line length (if script is narration only, simply set left margin at 4″)
• Use page numbers
• Use paragraph format ‘Keep Lines Together’ to prevent page breaks in the middle of sentences

Hey… you don’t get anything if you don’t ask.

By: Gregory Best

Gregory Best — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 23:28:49 +0000

Bill, I think you mean left-justify or line everything up with the left margin.

By: Chris Porter

Chris Porter — Fri, 07 May 2010 17:45:58 +0000

great point Bill – thanks!

By: Bill Lenz

Bill Lenz — Fri, 07 May 2010 17:10:36 +0000

This is excellent – I’d just add one more formatting item: Please right-justify the text. Fully-justified copy is almost as difficult to read as all-caps, because one of the strengths of a long-form narrator is the ability to wrap his or her brain around a complete thought while talking, and varied spacing or unnatural gaps between words make that more difficult.

By: Chris Porter

Chris Porter — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:46:21 +0000

Thanks Mike. Great additions. I agree with you on all three points.

By: Mike Harrison

Mike Harrison — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 02:19:52 +0000

Many thanks for spreading the word. If I may add three more thoughts; two specifically for narration scripts:

1. When your narrator is on a roll, something that will keep it going is not having script pages break in the middle of sentences. Preferably, it’s best to break pages between paragraphs (or slides), to keep the entire thought together.

2. Numbering pages can be a big help, too; especially for longer scripts. In the extreme, there’s nothing so scary as having dropped a script and being unable to put the pages back in the right order. At the minimum, page numbers help a lot if the narrator is going to be asked to return to a particular spot to do pickups.

3. Voice talent love what we do, and we are bent on giving our ‘all’ for our clients. While we realize there are often last-minute changes, the sooner we can get a script after booking, the better prepared we can be to deliver our best when the session rolls around.

Thanks!