What Is an AV Script?
The format is popular because clients, writers, directors, editors, and animators can read it easily. It shows timing and pairing at a glance, which makes approvals faster.
AV Script Example: 60-Second Product Video
| # | Video | Audio | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Close-up: a delivery rider checks a cracked phone screen in the rain. | SFX: rain, traffic. VO: "Every delivery runs on one thing." | 0:00–0:05 |
| 2 | Wide: rider pulls into a busy market lane. Title: Every second counts. | Music: upbeat rhythm starts. | 0:05–0:10 |
| 3 | Screen recording: the app suggests a faster route. | VO: "Smart routing finds the quickest way, even when the city changes." | 0:10–0:20 |
| 4 | Medium: rider hands over a parcel; customer smiles. | VO: "So you deliver more, with less stress." | 0:20–0:30 |
| 5 | Graphics: three key features animate in. | VO: "Live traffic. Offline maps. One-tap support." | 0:30–0:45 |
| 6 | Logo and call to action on screen. | VO: "Download today." Music resolves. | 0:45–0:60 |
Fictional sample for illustration only.
What Goes in Each Column
Video column
Shot size, action, location, graphics, on-screen text, transitions.
Audio column
Voiceover, dialogue, music cues, sound effects.
Scene numbers
Make feedback and revisions easy to reference.
Timings
Keep the script within the target length.
For narrative work, a screenplay-style document fits better; the formats are compared in what pre-production is. Music videos use a related timecoded layout.
Tips for Writing an AV Script
- Write voiceover for the ear: short sentences, active verbs.
- Estimate timing at roughly two to three spoken words per second.
- Describe visuals clearly enough for the director and editor.
- Show, then say: let visuals carry meaning where possible.
- Mark graphics and supers precisely for the motion team.
- Read the script aloud with a timer before approval.
Where AV Scripts Are Used
- Corporate and brand films
- Explainer and product videos
- TV and digital commercials
- Training and e-learning
- Documentary edits and paper edits
- YouTube scripts with b-roll
YouTube creators can adapt the format to plan b-roll alongside narration; see YouTube video content ideas and cinematic storytelling.
AV Script Template
Copy this structure
Title · Client · Version · Date · Target length
Columns: Scene # | Video (what we see) | Audio (what we hear) | Duration
Footer: Notes for graphics, music licensing, and approvals.
A corporate scriptwriting and production team in India can develop AV scripts alongside storyboards, and a Bangalore explainer video studio can turn them into finished films.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an AV script?
It is a two-column script with visuals on one side and audio on the other, used for corporate videos, ads, explainers, and training films.
How long should a 60-second AV script be?
Voiceover is typically around 120 to 150 words for 60 seconds, depending on pace and how much the visuals carry.
What is the difference between an AV script and a screenplay?
A screenplay is written for narrative fiction with sluglines and dialogue blocks. An AV script pairs visuals and audio side by side for non-fiction and commercial work.
Who uses AV scripts?
Writers, directors, producers, clients, editors, and motion designers on corporate, advertising, and educational projects.
Can I write an AV script in a spreadsheet?
Yes. A table in a document or spreadsheet works well, as long as video and audio stay aligned row by row.
Plan Every Line and Every Shot Together
An AV script keeps visuals and audio aligned and makes approvals easier. Use the example and template above as a starting point.
Editatease writes and produces as a script-to-screen corporate video studio, an ad and explainer film partner, and a production team for brands nationwide. Need a script written? Request a script consultation.
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