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Did you hear? Clutch has named Moov Studio the best video production company in Armenia.
Every film, explainer, or play starts with a well-crafted script. A script is the blueprint that guides the entire narrative—it transforms an initial idea into a structured story. Script writing is where imagination meets structure and where every detail comes to life.
When comparing a movie script to an explainer video script, the differences are stark. Both require writing with clarity and precision, but their objectives, formatting, and approach to storytelling vary significantly.
A movie script typically runs between 90 and 120 pages, where each page roughly equals one minute of screen time. It's designed to capture an original idea or even a true story, with a complex plot involving multiple characters and intricate story arcs. For instance, a typical three-act structure includes the beginning, middle, and climax, leading to the resolution of the protagonist's journey.
In contrast, an explainer video script is much shorter—usually 60 to 90 seconds. This translates to a one-to-two-page document. The goal is not to develop a full-length screenplay but to explain a product or idea quickly and clearly. There's no need for extensive character development or subplots; instead, the focus is on delivering clear information in a concise format.
Example:
In a movie script, you may have multiple storylines and interactions, which requires in-depth development. Writers often spend weeks or months crafting every word, fine-tuning the plot, and making sure the emotional stakes are high. For example, the protagonist might struggle with personal conflicts or face life-altering decisions, all while the audience becomes emotionally invested in what will happen next.
On the other hand, an explainer video script is designed to simplify complex information. While the story matters, it's not about drawing the audience into a fictional world. Instead, you're giving them the quickest route to understanding a product, service, or idea. The script follows a straight-forward structure: problem, solution, and call to action.
Example:
If you're in film, understanding the script format is key to getting your movie script noticed by studio readers. It follows strict industry standards so that every reader can quickly assess the flow, structure, and quality of your film script. Here's a step-by-step guide to mastering this format and what it includes.
Each new scene begins with a scene heading, or slugline, written in all caps. It describes the location and time of day for that scene—whether it's INTERIOR (INT.) or EXTERIOR (EXT.), followed by the location and time, like "INT. COFFEE SHOP – DAY."
This clarity helps the director and crew visualize where scenes are set. For example, "EXT. BEACH – SUNSET" lets them know exactly what kind of film setting they need to create.
These describe what happens in the scene without going overboard on details. They should be concise but vivid. Your goal is to create a clear image in the reader's mind.
"The wind blows through the trees as the waves crash onto the shore."
Action lines should focus on what's visible in the film rather than internal thoughts, which can be harder to format for screenwriting.
When introducing a character for the first time, capitalize their name and give a brief description:
"JACKSON (30s), tall and scruffy, paces nervously."
This helps the reader and casting director envision who the character is. Keep descriptions short but impactful—no need to write a novel here.
Writing dialogue is one of the most important skills for screenwriters. Dialogue should always be centered on the page, and a character’s name appears above their lines, capitalized:
JACKSON
(angry)
"What are you talking about?"
Use parentheticals sparingly for emotions or actions within dialogue (like "angry") to give the reader a sense of tone or delivery. Film scripts must be precise because actors will breathe life into your words.
The general rule of thumb is that one page equals one minute of screen time. A typical film is 90-120 minutes, meaning your entire script should fall between 90-120 pages. A short film has more flexibility, but knowing how long each scene will take helps make good creative decisions that fit the industry standard.
Though many modern film scripts avoid writing explicit transitions, traditional formats may still include terms like CUT TO: or FADE OUT: at the end of a scene. These indicate a change or significant moment but aren't always necessary unless the transition is important to the story.
Whether it’s a true story, original idea, or short film, every part should tie into the overall plot. Think about why your story matters and how it engages the audience. Take The Godfather: each scene adds tension, which builds toward the family’s ultimate conflict.
In explainer video scripts, the story is less about plot and more about delivering a great idea quickly. Ask, "What’s the main point I want to get across?" If you're explaining how a product solves a problem, the story must be short and direct, like a guide that takes the audience from the problem to the solution.
When writing for films, relevant ideas are those that support the central theme. Each subplot or character action should connect back to the main narrative. In screenwriting, if you're exploring family dynamics, like in Little Miss Sunshine, all arcs revolve around family issues.
For explainer videos, relevant ideas should align with the core message. You wouldn’t include extra features of a product that don’t directly serve the main point. Let's say if you’re explaining software, focus on its core functionality, not unnecessary details.
Movie script writing often requires extensive research to make characters and settings authentic. Writers read books, watch films, and interview experts to capture the right tone and world details. A period drama, like Pride and Prejudice, demands detailed background research to accurately reflect the era’s culture.
When you're researching for explainers, it should center on understanding the product or service. You might read customer reviews or listen to user feedback to find out what problems the product solves. The research will be functional and focused on key facts to make the script precise and informative.
Character development is everything. Every action and dialogue contributes to their evolution. In Breaking Bad, Walter White’s journey from a high school teacher to a drug kingpin is carefully paced, showing his moral decay.
In explainer videos, they serve as avatars for the viewer. If you’re explaining a product, the character may represent the user and their needs. Their development in this context is more about relatability than depth. A character using an app in a video may show how the product helps them without a complex backstory.
When you're script writing for a movie, outlining is the foundation. You map out the story arc, including major plot points, character development, and scenes. This way, you have a clear narrative structure before writing begins. Screenwriters of TV shows like Breaking Bad outline each episode to weave complex subplots over multiple seasons.
The outline is shorter but just as critical for explainer videos. You list the key messages, visuals, and voiceover timing. If you're explaining a new software feature, the outline might include an introduction, the problem, the solution, and a call-to-action, all fitting within a minute.
The first draft is where you translate your outline into a full script. For films, this is the creative stage, where dialogue, action lines, and character interactions become a reality. The writer can explore different styles to create authentic conversations and powerful scenes. Other writers or collaborators might step in at this stage to offer input, similar to the co-writing process in shows like The Office.
On the other hand, the first draft of an explainer includes specific instructions on when to introduce visuals or animations. You must keep it concise while covering every key point. For instance, when writing an explainer video for a financial app, you'd focus on how the user interacts with the app while keeping the language simple and clear.
Revisions are where hard work pays off. In movies, this is where you adjust pacing and sometimes rewrite entire sections based on feedback from readers, directors, or producers. A film like The Social Network went through multiple drafts to make sure everything worked perfectly.
For explainer videos, revisions focus on clarity and timing. You may need to adjust the script based on what the client says so that the visuals and voiceover align. If a specific call sheet mentions the need to change a product feature in the script, you revise to highlight that point.
The final draft in film screenwriting is polished and ready for production. From proper formatting to scene breakdowns, all call sheets and camera directions must be flawless. This draft is what the studio readers, directors, and cast work from.
As for explainers, the final draft focuses on smooth transitions between visuals and voiceover. The script is locked, so the timing works with animation. An example could be a product demo video where the final script precisely dictates when each feature is highlighted in sync with the visuals.
One common mistake in script writing is sticking too rigidly to genre conventions. While you should understand the tropes of your genre, overly relying on them can make your story predictable.
In action films, always starting with a car chase or explosion can feel cliché. Instead, screenwriters should find ways to subvert expectations and introduce fresh elements, like how Mad Max: Fury Road changed the post-apocalyptic action genre by focusing on visual storytelling and character depth rather than generic action sequences.
In explainer videos, falling into the trap of using the same style for every video regardless of the subject matter can make your script feel formulaic. If you're writing for a healthcare startup, for instance, a lighthearted tone might not fit. Instead, adjust your tone to suit the matter at hand.
A mistake many screenwriters make is not consuming enough content in the genre they are writing. Failing to watch relevant films or read scripts in the same style can make your story feel outdated or disconnected from current trends. Great writers are also great consumers of content.
The same principle applies to explainers. If you're tasked with writing a video on cloud computing, study similar videos to see how they handle technical subjects. Failing to do this means missing out on learning what works well and what pitfalls to avoid.
Overwriting is a mistake that affects many types of video content. For movies, this might mean overloading a scene with unnecessary dialogues or excessive details in action descriptions. You must write efficiently and let visuals or subtext carry the message.
Overwriting for explainers means cramming too much information into a short runtime. Viewers can only absorb so much, and overloading them with facts or complicated jargon can lead to confusion. Instead, focus on clarity and simplicity while making each word count.
Writing the perfect explainer video script at Moov Studio is a collaborative and dynamic process designed to precisely meet your needs. Here’s how we approach script writing:
Throughout this process, we adjust and refine the story so it aligns perfectly with your objectives. Our goal is to help you tell your product or service’s story in the best way possible.
Fill out the form to get started, and let us create an explainer video that converts.
