Video advert pre-production: blog tasks

1) Create TWO scripts for your two different adverts

You need to write two complete scripts for your adverts and format it like a real TV script (see picture on the right).

There is lots of help out there for top-quality script writing. A good place to start is the BBC Writers' Room which has top tips, a whole script library of real examples (like the Doctor Who script pictured). Although these are TV dramas and not adverts it is still very useful to learn how to write a good script.

Make sure you include both stage directions and dialogue - and as you can see from the example, often the stage directions are much more detailed than the dialogue. Try and make your script look like a professional example in terms of layout - either in your blogpost or on a linked Google Doc. 
Script:

[Scene: A bustling gym, filled with the sounds of clanging weights and determined grunts. The camera zooms in on a man , drenched in sweat, pushing through an intense workout. His breathing is heavy, and his muscles are straining.]

[Camera pans to the drink station at the side of the gym. The man, now looking exhausted but determined, approaches the station, where two beverage options are displayed: Lucozade and the chosen drink.]

Man (to himself): (Breathing heavily) “Okay, this is it. Lucozade or…?”

[He hesitates, glancing between the two drinks. The camera captures his intense focus. After a moment, he reaches for the chosen drink with a confident nod.]

Man (to himself): “This is the one.”

[As the man unscrews the cap and takes his first sip, the scene transitions to a burst of vibrant colours and dynamic graphics, visually representing an explosion of flavours. The graphics swirl around him, emphasizing the sensory experience.]

[The man’s face lights up with sheer satisfaction and revitalization. He finishes the entire bottle in one go, his expression reflecting a newfound energy and contentment.]

Man (smiling, looking at the empty bottle): “Now that’s what I needed!”

[The camera pulls back to show the man, now more energized, re-engaging with his workout with renewed vigour. The background music builds up to a triumphant crescendo.]

[Text on screen: “Revitalize Your Workout with [Chosen Drink].” The screen fades to black as the advert ends.]




2) Shot list

Once you have two full scripts you are happy with, you can turn them into a shot list (or shot lists) containing EVERY shot you plan to film for your adverts AND additional shots to create flexibility when editing. You'll know from your preliminary exercise that missing a shot, continuity errors or not having enough material makes editing much more difficult. A good shot list will help you avoid this. In particular, make sure you plan lots of extra shots that you may not need but can help you with editing. These additional shots are often close-ups, cutaways, alternative angles or similar. In particular, make sure you get lots of additional shots of the product as these will be vital in your adverts. 

I advise using a simple table on Google Docs to set out your shot list - you can find an example here for a student film shot list. It makes sense to write your shot list by scene or location (like in the example linked) rather than a huge list of every shot in the adverts in chronological order. 
Scene 1: Gym Setting

  1. Wide Shot:

    • Description: Overall view of the gym with various people working out.
    • Purpose: Establish the gym setting and atmosphere.

  2. Medium Shot:

    • Description: Focus on the girl in the gym, lifting weights or running on a treadmill.
    • Purpose: Show her physical effort and determination.

  3. Close-Up:

    • Description: Close-up of the girl’s face, sweat dripping, heavy breathing.
    • Purpose: Capture her intense focus and exhaustion.

  4. Over-the-Shoulder Shot:

    • Description: Over the girl’s shoulder as he approaches the drink station.
    • Purpose: Show her perspective and the options available at the station.

  5. Close-Up:

    • Description: Close-up of the drink station with Lucozade and the chosen drink prominently displayed.
    • Purpose: Highlight the choice she faces.

  6. Medium Shot:

    • Description: The girl’s hand reaching for the chosen drink.
    • Purpose: Focus on her decision-making process.

  7. Close-Up:

    • Description: Close-up of the girl’s face as he hesitates, then smiles confidently.
    • Purpose: Emphasize her final choice and confidence.

Scene 2: Drink Experience

  1. Close-Up:

    • Description: Close-up of the girl unscrewing the bottle cap.
    • Purpose: Show the anticipation before taking a sip.

  2. Extreme Close-Up:

    • Description: The bottle’s opening, liquid inside.
    • Purpose: Highlight the product and emphasize the drink’s appeal.

  3. Medium Shot:

    • Description: The girl taking his first sip, with a focus on her expression of enjoyment.
    • Purpose: Capture her initial reaction to the drink.

  4. Visual Effects Shot:

    • Description: Dynamic graphics and vibrant colours exploding around the girl.
    • Purpose: Illustrate the burst of flavours and sensory experience.

  5. Close-Up:

    • Description: The girl’s satisfied expression and revitalized demeanour as she finishes the bottle.
    • Purpose: Show the positive effect of the drink.

  6. Wide Shot:

    • Description: The girl re-engaging with his workout, now more energized.
    • Purpose: Demonstrate the drink’s impact on her performance.

Scene 3: Post-Workout

  1. Medium Shot:

    • Description: The man wiping sweat from his brow and looking at the empty bottle.
    • Purpose: Show the completion of the workout and satisfaction.

  2. Close-Up:

    • Description: Empty bottle with the logo visible.
    • Purpose: Reinforce brand recognition.

  3. Wide Shot:

    • Description: The girl exiting the gym with a confident stride.
    • Purpose: Conclude with a sense of accomplishment and energy.

  4. Text Overlay Shot:

    • Description: Text on screen: “Revitalize Your Workout with [Chosen Drink].”
    • Purpose: Provide a final branding message.

  5. Fade-Out Shot:

    • Description: Screen fades to black with soft, triumphant music playing.
    • Purpose: End the advert on a high note.

3) Mise-en-scene

What iconography or mise-en-scene are you including to ensure your audience understands your adverts and the message you are communicating? Plan your cast, costume, make-up, props, lighting and setting. This can be simply completed using your blog or on a Google Doc - the key aspect is to have planned all the critical details. Remember the mise-en-scene mnemonic: CLAMPS. 

Costume: gym outfit

Lighting / time of day:day/high key lighting

Actors - casting, placement, movement: actor is me (tala)

Make-up and hair: hair out, makeup done but not too much as it is a gym

Props: airpods, bag, jacket, weights

Setting: gym setting

4) Shooting schedule 

Plan a shooting schedule for your filming over the next week. Include when, where, who is required and what shots you will complete at each time/location. Again, this can be on Google Docs or Sheets or you could simply use your blog. The most important thing is that you've planned it!

shot in school gym during class time.

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