Top 10 Video Script Writing Mistakes

Video scripts are like little novels for the screen: They convey all of the necessary information about a story in a condensed, engaging way. 

If you’re writing a script, it’s important to avoid these ten common mistakes that can jeopardize your project and your relationship with your client or boss.

Takeaways
1. Writing a video script requires mastering the art of storytelling to engage the audience effectively.
2. Avoid common scriptwriting mistakes to keep viewers hooked from start to finish.
3. Create compelling and natural dialogue that drives the narrative forward and enhances character development.
4. Refine the pacing of your script by balancing action, dialogue, and exposition.
5. Seek feedback from peers or professionals to identify and rectify unnoticed mistakes in your script.
6. Use practical examples to understand the process of writing a captivating video script.
7. Explore successful video script examples for inspiration and insights.
8. Focus on well-defined characters and engaging plotlines to enhance storytelling.
9. Incorporate emotional depth into your script to resonate with the audience.
10. Follow a comprehensive guide to scriptwriting to become a pro in crafting powerful video scripts.

Mistake #1: Not Having A Clear Story Idea

There’s one mistake that I see over and over again in the scripts that come my way: not having a clear story idea.

Before you write your script, think about what you want to say and why you’re saying it. What is your message? Are there obstacles along the way? 

In order to answer these questions, try writing down a few ideas on paper first it doesn’t have to be perfect because we’ll refine it later in the process. This will help guide you as you go through the rest of the script-writing process.

Here are some examples of how having a clear story idea can help with writing your video script:

Writing a compelling video script is crucial for engaging your audience. Learn how to create a captivating script with practical examples in our comprehensive guide on how to write a video script. Master the art of storytelling to keep your viewers hooked from start to finish.

Mistake #2: Rambling Dialogue Or Info-Dump Voiceover

There are two main things to avoid here: rambling dialogue and info-dump voiceover.

Rambling Dialogue

If you don’t want your scripts to sound like a lecture, then you should avoid long stretches of dialogue where people just talk at length about the story. Instead, be sure that every line serves a purpose in moving the plot forward or furthering character development (or both). 

If dialogue isn’t necessary, consider cutting it altogether or rewriting it into something less wordy. You could also try using fewer words than usual or even switching up the way you format sentences so they aren’t so long and complicated sounding.

Info-Dump Voiceover

When characters explain everything we need to know about them through exposition that is, “explaining too much” it gets boring fast because there’s nothing left for us as an audience members aside from sitting back and listening/reading along passively rather than making any kind of active effort ourselves as viewers/readers/listeners/players). 

It’s tempting sometimes because writers think that information will help us understand characters better but usually what happens instead is that everything feels forced.

Instead, because there’s no natural way for these kinds of scenes ever feel organic within their context (and thus become more likely not only fail miserably but also cause potential readers/viewers/listeners//players

Mistake #3: All Scenes Set In The Same Boring Room

You need to set the scene and create a unique mood for each scene.

Here are some things you can do:

• Use props. If your character is writing a letter, have him/her write on paper with real ink.
• Use different locations. If you’re in a bar, change it up by going outside or inside another room of the bar (not just changing angles). Don’t get lazy and keep everything the same!
• Use different actors and actresses so we don’t get bored watching one person talking to us all day long. Make sure they look different enough so we can tell them apart when they’re all in one shot together! 
• Change up hair color or style somehow too because then it’ll look more like different people even though they’re still wearing mostly similar clothes from before.’

Don’t let video script writing intimidate you; it can be made easy with the right approach. Our article on video script writing made easy breaks down the process step-by-step, providing valuable insights to help you craft a winning script that resonates with your audience.

Mistake #4: Characters Don’t Feel Like Real People

Characters should have names, a back story, a personality, goals, and conflicts. Characters should also have an arc that leads to resolution.

In short, if you want your readers to feel something for your characters–whether it’s sympathy or empathy, or even just self-awareness–you need to give those people dimensions. Give them names! 

Love interests should not be called “Love Interest 1” and parents shouldn’t be referred to simply as “Mother.” 

If she’s called Mary Smith then we can all imagine her as someone who has had a real-life complete with ups and downs and experiences that shaped who she is today and we’ll care more about what happens in the story because of it.

This is especially important when writing dialogue between two characters who share some sort of history (like siblings) but haven’t spoken in years because they’ve been estranged since childhood; how do you know how old they are? 

How tall? What kind of job does each person have? Are they close enough friends that they’d still spend holidays together even though they don’t like each other anymore? 

These are all details that can help bring these people alive inside your reader’s head so that instead of reading about them offscreen through narration alone when something happens between them later on down the road; if done well enough even readers’ hearts will ache along with theirs too!

Mistake #5: Script Is Written At The Wrong Level Of Detail For Video Production

The script you write should be at the right level of detail for the video production, audience, and medium you are writing for. 

If you aim to get viewers on board with your story and make them feel something, then your script must be written in such a way that it can be understood by a wide variety of people. 

You don’t want to write something too vague or too complicated because then it won’t resonate with anyone who reads it. There’s no point writing an intense drama if all you need is some straightforward news reporting – keep things simple!

Mistake #6: Rushed Script Revisions Leave Mistakes In The Final Version

The longer you have to revise your script, the better. If you are working with a team to make sure everyone is on the same page and understands what’s happening in each scene, then it’s time for revisions! 

If you’re working alone and need to do a second draft of your video script, take as much time as possible so that when people watch it later they don’t get confused by any mistakes or plot holes in your story.

Mistake #7: Script Doesn’t Have A Purpose Beyond Being A Video Script

Your script must be more than just words on the page. A video script serves as a blueprint for your video production and post-production teams, it’s a guide for them to work from, and it should be a tool for both the creative team and client to approve.

Before you begin writing, think about what you want to accomplish with your video: Is this going to be an explainer video? An interview? A testimonial spot? 

Once you have an idea of what you want your script to do (and how), then decide how much detail is needed in each section of the project for example: 

You may not need detailed information about lighting or sound since these details will be worked out by others behind-the-scenes during production (or brought up during pre-production).

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Mistake #8: Not Balancing Acting, Voiceover, And Graphics To Tell The Story

It’s important to balance the use of voiceover and graphics. Voiceover should be used to explain what the graphics are showing, not vice versa. 

For example, if there is a graphic with a text box about a product or service, then you should use voiceover to explain what that graphic means. For example: “This product is great for home use! It’s easy to install and comes with three years of warranty coverage.”

Mistake #9: Unclear Roles And Responsibilities Among Team Members

If you’re going to be successful at any project, everyone must understand their role in the process. 

You should make sure everyone knows what they are responsible for, what their role is and how it fits into the bigger picture, who else is involved in completing the project (and why), as well as how each person can contribute to making this thing happen.

The best way to do this is by having a clear plan laid out before starting work on anything it’s important not just so everyone understands what they need to do but also so they know how much time they have left to get everything done. 

The last thing you want is someone saying something like “Oh yeah! I forgot I was supposed to…”

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Mistake #10: Script Is Not Reviewed By Stakeholders Until It’s Too Late To Change Things Easily

It’s never too soon to start writing a script. Ideally, you should have your idea and message down before the first word is written on paper, and if you’re working with a crew who is willing to brainstorm with you, even better!

Once the script is finished, make sure it gets reviewed by stakeholders as early as possible to avoid costly mistakes or misunderstandings later on in production.

These Common Errors Can Jeopardize Your Project And Your Relationship With Your Client Or Boss

Not having a clear story idea. Video scripts are important because they provide the framework for your video’s story. If you don’t have a clear beginning, middle, and end in mind, it’s practically impossible to write a script that makes sense from start to finish.

Not having a clear purpose for your video. Are you trying to sell something? Are you trying to educate people about an issue? Or maybe you’re just trying to entertain them for 30 seconds before they get bored and switch off their computers/TVs/phones/whatever again? 

Whatever the reason behind your production, make sure all team members are aware of it so they can work together towards their goals and not waste time on things that aren’t part of those goals or detract from them in any way.

Not having roles clearly defined within each team member group (writers, producers, directors). If everyone doesn’t know what they’re supposed to be doing on set and how their tasks contribute towards making everything come together as one cohesive whole.

Or if there are too many cooks in any given kitchen there will inevitably be chaos at some point during the production day.”

Seeking inspiration for your video script? Look no further! We’ve compiled a collection of the best video script examples to spark your creativity. Explore these successful scripts to gain valuable insights and kickstart your own video project.

Conclusion

The most important thing to remember is that video scripts aren’t just about words on the page or ideas in your head. The best scripts are written to tell a story, and that means making sure every scene has a purpose and every line of dialogue serves its purpose. 

When you write your next script, think about what your characters would say in this situation and why they might be saying it: whether they need to express an emotion or point out something else happening in the scene (e.g., look at this beautiful sunset). 

If you focus on these questions instead of just writing down whatever comes into mind first without thinking about how it might affect other parts of the story, then hopefully we won’t see any more mistakes from you!

Further Reading

Common Script Writing Mistakes: Discover the most prevalent mistakes made in scriptwriting and how to avoid them. Improve your storytelling skills and create compelling narratives.

The 13 Most Common Mistakes Found on a Script: Uncover the 13 scriptwriting mistakes that often go unnoticed. Learn how to identify and rectify these errors to enhance the overall quality of your scripts.

5 Common Scriptwriting Mistakes and How to Fix Them: The National Centre for Writing shares five frequently encountered scriptwriting mistakes along with practical solutions to turn your screenplay into a masterpiece.

FAQs

What are some common scriptwriting mistakes?

Scriptwriters often fall into common pitfalls like weak character development, inconsistent pacing, and lack of clear objectives.

How can I improve my script’s storytelling?

To improve storytelling, focus on creating well-defined characters, engaging plotlines, and incorporating emotional depth into your script.

How do I identify unnoticed mistakes in my script?

Identify unnoticed mistakes by seeking feedback from peers or professionals, conducting script readings, and analyzing successful scripts for comparison.

What role does dialogue play in scriptwriting?

Dialogue is vital for character development and conveying the story’s essence. Ensure that your dialogue is natural, serves a purpose, and drives the narrative forward.

How can I refine the pacing of my script?

Refine the pacing by balancing action, dialogue, and exposition. Keep scenes concise and maintain a steady flow to captivate your audience’s attention.