Aspiring scriptwriters are often told to make sure their scripts are “a fast read.”
It’s good advice because a fast read ultimately translates to a tighter script.
One of the ways they’re encouraged to write a fast read is by making sure the pages aren’t weighted down with needless action lines or long chunks of dialogue that “slows down” the read. Here a couple of way ways you can “speed up” the read…
1. Utilize White Space
The key is to make your pages look visually easy to read on the page. To give the page lots of white space. That means cutting all the unnecessary action and dialogue.
This helps your brand video story because it gets rid of all the clutter and allows for clearer brand messaging.
So where to start cutting? You’ll want to cut…
• Anything we can’t hear or see on the screen
• Anything that doesn’t move the brand story forward
• Anything that doesn’t add depth or insight into your brand
2. Arrive Late and Leave Early
“Arrive Late and Leave Early” is a film school maxim that’s worth keeping in mind when writing your brand video. It’s something you want to do in every scene. Yup, every scene. Like utilizing white space, this allows you to cut out all unessential action.So, let’s say a scene reads like this…
INT. OFFICE LUNCH ROOM — MORNING
The office door opens and Brenda walks in holding the brand product. She smiles and closes the door behind her before walking toward the table in the centre of the room.
Walking toward the table, she looks at brand product again. She reaches the table, places the brand product on it and smiles once more.
(Okay, that ain’t David Mamet, but the point is the description enters early and leaves late.)
Here’s a run at it with the unnecessary elements eliminated.
INT. OFFICE LUNCH ROOM — MORNING
The lunch room door closes behind Brenda as she reaches the table in the room’s centre. Smiling, she places the brand product on it.
Arriving late and leaving early keeps your audience more engaged with what is happening onscreen.
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