Video scripts help us to shape engaging and compelling narratives, so creating a well-structured video script is an essential part of the process. Here, we’ll take a look at how you can write great video scripts and the various types of video script templates you might use to help save you time.
What Are Video Script Templates?
Like any template, script templates for video give you a pre-defined framework to help guide you through the process. Obviously this is a time-saver, but more than that, it can make you think about things you might not have considered before, making sure your messages are consistent and reducing the potential for miscommunication.
Why Use Video Script Templates?
Video script templates are adaptable to a number of video types and purposes, so there are a lot of choices depending on what you need. They can help you with:
Structure and Organisation
Like we mentioned above, templates guide you through essential elements of writing a script, including the introduction, the main body, and a conclusion. This means the flow of your information is logical, and you can craft a better narrative.
Time Efficiency
Generally speaking, most templates are time-savers, and time is money, as they say. Script templates for video help save time because you don’t need to start from scratch, you can customise something existing to suit what you need, rather than structuring a script from the ground up.
Consistency
Maintaining consistency in your messaging is essential for building a strong brand identity. Script templates for video give you a framework to be able to do that, which will help your brand be instantly recognisable.
Collaboration
If you work as part of a team or have multiple contributors from time to time, having a standard video script template means everyone is on the same page (every pun intended).
Adaptability
Script templates for video are versatile, so they can be adapted to fit with various types of videos. If you do a wide range of projects then this is great, as you can make very different videos but keep the same style, tone, and structure.
Many of these are buy or subscription based, but there are video script templates for free out there, and we’re going to point you in the direction of some of the best ones, along with some related templates from Envato Elements, where you can download and use as many assets as you like for a monthly subscription.
8 Top Free Video Script Templates for 2024 (+Quick Tips)
1. Documentary Videos
Template Type: Interview video script free template
Where to Find: uscreen
Description: Tailored for documentary-style content, this template helps you formulate the questions you might ask an interviewee, the order you should ask them, plus important information like the overall goal for the interview.
- Research and background information
- Interview questions and key points
- Visual references and narration cues
Documentary Template from Envato Elements
History Documentary
This history documentary video template for Premiere Pro is great as an intro or opener for your project. It’s full HD and includes lower thirds and a separate promo file.
2. Narrative Driven (Audio/Visual) Videos
Template Type: Narrative Script template for video… free!
Where to Find: invideo (via Google Docs)
Description: Ideal for storytellers, this template helps you think about what you’ll see and hear on screen at the same time, structuring narratives for short films, or any video content with a storytelling element.
Features:
- Basic and simple to use
- Some video script examples to get you started
Narrative Driven Template from Envato Elements
Cinematic Intro
A cinematic intro template for After Effects that will be perfect for your narrative or story-driven film. It has 11 pre-rendered scenes, 2 pre-built video templates, and doesn’t need any plugins to use!
3. Promotional or Marketing Videos
Template Type: Promotional and marketing free video script template
Where to Find: Hubspot via a download that requires signup
Description: Crafted specifically for marketing content, this free video script template has everything you need to write a script to drive engagement and conversions. It includes tips for script writing, choosing a target audience, and setting goals.
Features:
- Example videos
- Best practices
- Video script templates
Marketing Video Template from Envato Elements
Marketing Stories
These marketing story templates for After Effects will help you to get your promotional messages across in style. They’re in vertical format so are perfect for Instagram, TikTok and more.
4. Educational
Template Type: Educational video
Where to Find: Creating Educational Videos
Description: Tailored for educational content, this set of free video script templates helps you with organisation your information into a plan for video, including how to format a video script in a way that makes sense to you.
Features:
- 4 different script versions
- A 90 second video helper to guide your educational script direction
- Further site sections when you’re ready to move onto the next stages after scripting
Educational Template from Envato Elements
Online education - Scene Situation
Try a fun, animated set of scene situations around the theme of ‘education’ to add something new to your video. It’s for After Effects and is easy to use and customise – you won’t need any plugins to use it, either.
5. Live Events and Webinar
Template Type: Free live event script template
Where to Find: Cory’s Audio Visual
Description: The site has some tips on producing your life event script, and you can get the free video script template by signing up. If you don’t want to fill out the form, there are still some solid formatting tips on there.
Features:
- How to format your video script
Live Event Template from Envato Elements
Live Webinar. Business Event Promo
An After Effects template to help you create an awesome live event video. It’s easy to use, just add your footage and customise it to suit.
6. How-To Video
Template Type: A How-To Video Script Template
Where to Find: Scalenut
Description: Tailored for educational content, this set of free video script templates helps you with organisation your information into a plan for video, including how to format a video script in a way that makes sense to you.
Features:
- 8 different script templates for video including one for how-to videos
- Additional useful information about how many words to include
How-To Template from Envato Elements
How To – Step by Step Guide
An After Effects video template for ‘how to’ films presenting 5 or 6 steps. You’ll need to be using CS4 or above for this to work and there’s a help file included in the download to get you started!
7. Sketch Show
Template Type: Comedy Sketch
Where to Find: Studio Binder
Description: While they’re more video script examples, than templates, you can use the existing scripts here to form the basis for your own, taking lessons from the layout, how directions are included, and how dialogue is written.
Features:
- Lots of different comedy show examples – full scripts
- Analysis of some scripts is included to help guide you as to what works and what doesn’t
Comedy Show Template from Envato Elements
Movie Trailer Variety Pack v1.0
There are five different movie trailer templates in this pack for After Effects, including one for a comedy movie. You’ll need to be using CC 2019 or above for these, but they come with detailed video tutorials to help you customise and use them.
8. Generic Video Script Template
Template Type: A one template fits all (or, most, anyway)
Where to Find: Wyzowl
Description: If you’re not really sure what you need and you just want a good script layout template, then this one will work for you. You’ll find some more tips and guides there too, including how to get inspired.
Features:
- A simple, generic template!
Generic Template from Envato Elements
Generic Short Intro
If you need one template that’s great for a range of video projects, then try this short intro for After Effects. There are 2 versions included and they’re available in HD plus UK UHD resolution. It’s only one quick click to customise the background colour or make it transparent.
Quick Tips for Effective Video Scripting
Earlier, we highlighted our free article: How to Write a Great Video Script, which has everything you’ll need to know to get started, but here are some quick tips in the meantime:
1. Know Your Audience
Understanding your audience is central to creating a video script that hits home. Tailor your language, tone, and content to match the preferences and expectations of your target audience.
2. Be Clear
Clarity is really important in video. Make sure your script is as simple as possible, clear, and concise, avoiding any unnecessary jargon or specialist language. Even if you’re conveying complex ideas, making your content accessible to a broader audience is crucial.
3. Use Visual Cues
Incorporate visual cues in your script to help guide the production team (even if you are the production team!) on any visual elements. Whether it's a specific shot, graphic, or transition, be sure to include it in your script. That way you won’t kick yourself later when you realise you’ve forgotten an essential shot.
4. Natural Flow
It’s a really underrated tip but read your script out loud really helps it sound more natural when it comes to recording the audio. You’ll be able to think about pacing, pauses, and intonation. Plus you’ll realise if you have any tricky sentences or words in there!
5. Revise
Video scripting isn’t done in one swoop, it’s an iterative process, so don’t worry about revising and refining your script based on feedback or evolving ideas. Regular revisions will mean your final script is polished. Having said that, it’s also wise to know when to stop tinkering with something and leave it alone!
Beyond Video Scripts
There are a couple of things you could think about in addition to using video script templates, like incorporating storyboard templates into your workflow. Storyboards are visual representations of each scene in your video, a bit like a roadmap for the visual elements. It isn’t a case of choosing one over the other necessarily, either. You can do both!
If you don’t have much editing or video creation experience, it might help to learn. Good video editing techniques can actually help improve your script work, as both skills work on similar principles, like good story-telling.
Conclusion
Having a well-structured video script is a cornerstone for your video’s success. If you don’t feel inspired or confident enough to start from scratch, then video script templates are valuable tools, helping you with organisation and structure, consistency in messaging, and saving you time.
The variety of video script types available, from tutorials to narrative driven features, and everything in between mean that you’re bound to find a great starting point for the video script that you need to tackle.
When you’ve got your finished video script, why not check out some of our featured template from Envato Elements that we’ve highlighted through this article, to save you even more time and money – plus you’ll find useful tools like music tracks and stock footage too.
Free Video Articles
If you're into scripting and video making, why not check out some of our other free tutorials and articles to help you hone your skills.
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About This Page
This page was written by Marie Gardiner. Marie is a writer, author, and photographer. It was edited by Gonzalo Angulo. Gonzalo is an editor, writer and illustrator.
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