Starting with a blank script is usually the first step in creating a video project. As a content creator, your job is to first translate the idea into a script and then the script into something visual.

Creative writing in video can be broken down into two categories -- creative and technical. Creative writing usually follows storytelling conventions for the purpose of communicating the central message of the story. The technical aspects of writing exist so the conversion of ideas onto paper are easily communicated and understood throughout the industry.

Narratives, or stories, often follow a path or structure. The following structure is not an absolute rule, but a guideline that is proven throughout history.

-Exposition

-Rising Action

-Climax

-Falling Action

-Denouement (Welton, 2014)

Exposition is the first stage in storytelling. This is the part where the writer introduces the audience to the characters, background story and setting. After that, the plot begins with rising action that hosts a series of related incidents (usually conflicts). This is where the plot begins to take off. The climax is the tip of the plot -- the turning point for the protagonist(s). It can be comedic, tragic, or inspirational. After the high point of the plot comes falling action, where the outcome still isn't completely resolved, but things are settling down. The end of the falling action is the denouement, where conflicts are resolved and the outcome is decided.

This structure was identified and analyzed by Gustav Freytag in the 1800s and is often called Freytag's Pyramid. Freytag studied patterns in Greek and Shakespearean dramas and identified the "path" of the story (Welton, 2014).

Once you are done with the creation of your story, you can begin the technical part of writing. You want to integrate your story into a format that is standardized and easily communicated. There are many

script types, but the most popular for narrative videos are the screenplay and the storyboard. Productions can use either a storyboard or a screenplay, but usually there is a combination of both. Often times, a screenplay is written and then incorporated into a storyboard as a visual reference. The most important aspect of both is that all aspects of the story are present for clear communication.

A screenplay is unique because each scene is written as a separate part. This allows each scene to be considered by itself. The scenes begin by a slug line, which identifies if the scene is indoor or outdoors and night or day. This is followed by a description of the scene and dialogue. Screenplays are detailed and contain all of the spoken dialogue, actions, and mood of the characters. When writing a screenplay, the author should keep in mind that one page equals about one minute of screen-time. On the following pages is an example screenplay. Notice the slug lines and the scene descriptions. Also, notice the character dialogue is centered on the pages (Foust, Fink, & Gross, 2013).