Scriptwriting for talk

show (podcast)
week 8
Talkshow
talk shows are scripted!

A script is essentially the written

version of a play, movie, or any other
media production that requires a script.
Naturally, scripts differ from production
to production.
Script 01.
a synthesis of
the introduction

For talk shows in specific, the script can

be described as a synthesis of the
introduction, the following questions
and topics, conversations, and all
content linked to that. 02. the following
questions

However, it is important to keep talk

shows spontaneous (or make it seem
spontaneous at least), which gives
scripts a contradictory notion.
03. topics
How do you
write a talk show
script?
Writing scripts happens in different steps.
Firstly, you start by doing your research. It
is important to properly understand the
subject, the context, relevance, and possible
controversies around it, and of course the
guests and their environment.
Next
Consequently, you’ll have to write the
teaser for the announcement of the
show and the introduction. It is only
obvious that this has to grab the
audience’s attention. Introduce the
subjects and guests in a way that triggers
the viewers’ curiosity.
The same counts for the creation of the
questions.
Make them creative, unpredictable, and
engaging. They should yield open,
thought-provoking, and even personal
answers that initiate a conversation of
insight and entertainment.

Again, it is important to let the

conversation flow according to a flexible
topic/question list rather than having a
fixed chronological list of questions with
no room for spontaneity.
Nonetheless, the majority of the show’s success
depends on the host. Being a good host requires
more than having the charisma to be charming
and the comic timing to slay ‘em in the seats.

It’s understanding your broadcast medium. Most

importantly, the host needs to make sure the
guests don’t divert too much from the topic and
knows how to balance letting the guests express
themselves but also keeping them in the right
direction of the script.
Finally
Finally, the script ends with a brief
summary of the issues that were
discussed during the show,
acknowledgements to the guests and
audience with an open invitation to come
back next episode.
Structure of scripts
As for the structure, the script exists of different ‘items’, or ‘sequences’,
addressing a topic (with specific guests) or a guest. With every item, the PA
makes a timing estimation of how long it will take to cover the topic and in
that way, makes sure the length of the show stays within the agreed time slot.

Often, extra ‘backup items’ are created that can be added to the script just in
case they run through the show a bit faster than predicted. In TinkerList, we
call them ‘floating items’.
In this example, the script starts with a
teaser that briefly ‘teases’ the content of
the show, followed by an introduction,
which is called ’Cold Open’ here. ‘PR’
indicates text for the presenter.

This is the text that is sent to the prompter

and read by the presenter directed to the
audience.
You can clearly see the division of the
script in different parts, indicated with
[card title] in bold.

As mentioned before, the terminology in

scripts is very dependent on the country. It
is advised to consult the experts of the
local industry to use the correct words,
titles and labels.
Some examples of script media terminology:
DLS = image (The Netherlands)
PLAY, INSTART, OVERSTART = different types of clips (The Netherlands)
VT, VT ITEM, FLT (= Float), ULAY,… = types of videos (United Kingdom), also called ‘Clip’,
‘Instart’, ‘BBW’
Still = images (United Kingdom)
GFX = graphics or images (United Kingdom & United States)
Lower Third = a title, text overlaying the video, also called ‘SVO’, ‘Title’,
‘Strap’ or ‘CG’
VO = Voice Over
Regarding playing videos, they can be played 3 ways:
1. With the audio sent out in full, and the microphones in studio closed: called VT
ITEM (UK), Compleet (NL), Volsom (BE), SOT(= sound on tape in US)
2. With the audio at a lower level and the host speaking over it: VT(UK), Meelees (NL),
Doorlees (BE), VO (Voice Over in US)
3. Illustrative in screens on the set (the director decides when to show them). But
mostly they use Meelees or VO.

In this example, ‘Complete’ indicates the videos are played with the audio sent out in
full and the microphones in the studio closed.
 Let’s
practice
-thank you-