Characteristics of Television Script

Television script is a simple and disciplined structure that helps in the production of a program. There are certain features that make it different from other media:

1.       Clarity

Format and story structure are precise and clear when it comes to television script writing. A half an hour story runs about 22 minutes; an hour show, about 45 minutes with commercials dispersed for the remaining time. The breaks must be in the right spot for the advertisers to put up their ads. They also need to be compel-ling enough to bring back the viewer to the program.

2.      Diverse

Television is like a factory. It survives on an endless stream of product. It is hard to create variety in the types of programs aired on television. Diversity in the shows is essential to keep the interest of the audience consistent.

3.      Disciplined

Every television format has got certain rules for writing script. A script is only good when it is organized and well structured. This makes it easier to understand and visualize a television script.

4.      Informative

A script that provides required information about the topic is more effective during the course of production.

5.      Correctness

The information and facts in a television news script should be accurate.

6.      Element of Drama

Drama is conflict. Without drama a television program will lose its charm. A television script writer should introduce some dramatic element in his script. There are three types of dramatic conflicts: person v/s inner self, person v/s person, person v/s nature.

7.      Conversational

Television script is for the purpose of reading. So it should be conversational in nature.