Arts >> Movies & TV >> TV

How to Write a Television Commercial Script

Television commercials are both effective and often times costly methods for advertisers to reach their target audience in vast numbers. Given their importance, commercials follow a specific format that allows all involved in the commercial, including the director and actors, to easily follow the script. The script is where marketing data and creativity shake hands. The middle man in this introduction is the scriptwriter, who strives to build a fresh script that translates into a productive commercial.

Instructions

    • 1

      Familiarize yourself with what you're selling and to who you're selling it to. Most television commercials allow only 30 seconds to communicate your product or idea, so you don't have time to be clever at the expense of being effective. Jot down or outline images and ideas you want included in the spot to best engage your target market's interest.

    • 2

      Format the script into two columns. Headline the left column, "VIDEO", with the word in all capitals and underlined. Title the column on the right, "AUDIO", in the exact manner. Double space beneath these headings.

    • 3

      Beneath the "VIDEO" heading, write all the images and actions the audience will see happening in the commercial, shot by shot. Capitalize everything in this section. Beneath the "AUDIO" heading, write all that the audience will hear, including dialogue, noises and music. Keep the audio elements side-by-side with the corresponding video description for each shot. Double space to clearly separate each successive shot contained within the script.

TV

Related Categories