Overview

This standard is about writing scripts, cues or links for a unscripted production or briefing other writers, so that they can deliver what is needed.  This could apply to broadcast, online publication or multi-platform use.

It is about writing drafts, checking the final written material for accuracy and suitability for its purpose, and suggesting amendments and alterations as required. 

It is also about ensuring that the tone and style of the writing meets production requirements.

You need to be mindful that the creative process is, by its nature, not tangible. You therefore, have to manage a range of creative relationships in a flexible and collaborative manner in order to create a well-formed script.

This standard is for those involved in unscripted production development including production executives, series producers and production managers.

 

Performance Criteria 

You must be able to:

  1. produce briefs which provide information about research findings
  2. produce briefs that follow agreed treatments for broadcast or online publication
  3. check that briefs contain only essential details and provide relevant sources for further advice and information
  4. check and confirm that content can be written within agreed deadlines
  5. check and confirm that content is adapted when required to reflect changes to productions
  6. confirm any changes with decision-makers
  7. verify written contributions for accuracy
  8. write contributions in a style and length to meet agreed treatments for programmes, voice-overs, links, cues or multi-platform use
  9. make suggestions for correction, amendment or improvement as required
  10. check and confirm that work is completed within agreed timescales and budget limits
  11. make sure content complies with research findings, agreed treatment, intended use and production style and format
  12. verify that written content and audio-visual elements complement each other
  13. check that written content complies with legal and ethical considerations relevant to productions
  14. refer sensitive material to designated people

 

Knowledge and understanding

You need to know and understand:  

  1. how to produce an agreed brief, script or treatment
  2. how to usefully assist writers
  3. and ethical issues that can arise in the written form, and how to develop content or scripts to avoid these
  4. the timescales, budgets and editorial requirements for drafting content
  5. to whom to refer sensitive material
  6. writing styles for different types of delivery platforms
  7. how to create briefs for different length duration
  8. the importance of checking scripts and content for accuracy
  9. how to suggest improvements or alternatives