%% date:: [[2022-01-22]], [[2022-08-14]] %% # [[Scripting for video]] For the most part, scripting a [[Producing videos|video]] is an important part of [[Producing videos]], although it seems counterintuitive that a video would begin with writing. ## [[Full script or talking points]] You can script out every word, or use talking points. They each have their own advantages and disadvantages. Click on the link above to find out which one you should do. ## The HIVE process So now that you've decided what kind of script you're creating, how do you actually structure your script? The HIVE process is [[Ali Abdaal]]'s system for scripting a video. [^ptya] ### Hook After [[Create engaging titles|titles]] and [[Create engaging thumbnails|thumbnails]], the most crucial part of a video is the hook. The hook is the first few seconds of a video that explains exactly what a viewer will be getting by watching the video. A good hook: - uses powerful footage - this should be the most heavily edited part of the video - is short (up to 30 seconds long) - reiterates the promise that was set up in the title - is enthusiastic (the camera subtracts 10 points of enthusiasm) Some things that may be good to add in a hook are: - questions to which the answer is "yes" - snippets of the most exciting parts of the video [[Matt D'Avella]] talks about "openers" or hooks in terms of four different types: - *Cold open:* Viewers jump right into the action without much context. - *A-roll:* Talking directly to the camera to introduce the topic. - *B-roll:* Voiceover + videos of something other than you talking. - *Teaser:* Could be an excerpt of a part of the interview. [^davella] ### Intro Introduce yourself and your channel. You don't always have to include this section in a video. The best videos to include it are ones that could benefit from an explanation of your credibility. For example, if you're giving advice on load testing, you may want to mention your load testing experience. ### Value This is the bulk of the video, where you should constantly be giving value to viewers. Consider using [[Forms#For shorter form written work|writing frameworks]] to structure your thoughts and avoid starting from an empty page. ### End screen Close succinctly, and end with a clear [[Call to Action]]. Don't telegraph the end of a video by saying things like "I hope you enjoyed that summary of X..." because that's a cue for viewers to click off. Instead, continue on the same thread as your last point and tie in a recommendation to view another video. For example: "What I didn't cover in this process was X - check out this video if you want to hear more about that." On YouTube, add the video you recommend to the end screen. [^ptya]: Abdaal, A. (2021). _Part-time YouTuber academy_. [[Part-time YouTuber Academy|My notes on this course]]. [^davella]: D'Avella, M. (2020). *Master YouTube*. Retrieved from https://slowgrowth.com