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Writing Effective Scripts for AI

The quality of your script directly impacts VidStitch AI's ability to find relevant visuals. This guide provides tips for writing AI-optimized content.

Why Script Quality Matters

VidStitch AI uses your script to: - Understand the topic and context - Generate search queries for visuals - Match scenes to sentences - Determine pacing and timing

Better script = Better video output

Core Principles

1. Be Specific, Not Vague

The AI needs concrete details to find relevant visuals.

❌ Vague: 

Things changed a lot over time.
Many people were affected by these events.
It was a significant moment in history.

✅ Specific: 

The Berlin Wall fell on November 9, 1989.
Over 2 million East Germans crossed into West Berlin that week.
Chancellor Helmut Kohl addressed the crowd at Brandenburg Gate.

2. Include Visual Subjects

Write about things that can be visually represented.

❌ Abstract: 

The concept of freedom evolved throughout the century.
Democracy means different things to different cultures.

✅ Visual: 

Protesters marched through Tiananmen Square in Beijing.
Voters lined up at polling stations across South Africa.

3. Use Proper Nouns

Names, places, and titles help AI find specific content.

❌ Generic: 

The famous building was constructed by a renowned architect.
The leader gave an important speech during the conflict.

✅ Named: 

The Guggenheim Museum was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Winston Churchill delivered his Iron Curtain speech in 1946.

Sentence Structure

Ideal Sentence Length

  • Optimal: 10-20 words per sentence
  • Minimum: 5 words
  • Maximum: 30 words

Why? Each sentence maps to a visual segment. Too long creates pacing issues; too short lacks context.

One Visual Per Sentence

Structure sentences around single visual concepts:

❌ Multiple visuals: 

The Colosseum hosted gladiator battles while the Forum served as Rome's civic center and the Pantheon demonstrated architectural innovation.

✅ One visual each: 

The Colosseum hosted gladiator battles for Roman citizens.
The Forum served as Rome's civic center for commerce and politics.
The Pantheon demonstrated revolutionary architectural innovation.

Topic Organization

Chronological Flow

Organize content in logical time sequence:

1. The Roman Republic was established in 509 BC.
2. Julius Caesar became dictator in 49 BC.
3. Augustus founded the Roman Empire in 27 BC.
4. The Empire reached its peak under Trajan in 117 AD.
5. Rome fell to barbarian invasions in 476 AD.

Geographic Grouping

Keep location-based content together:

In Egypt:
- The pyramids of Giza
- The Nile River delta
- Alexandria's ancient library

In Greece:
- The Parthenon in Athens
- Mount Olympus
- The Oracle at Delphi

Subject Categories

Historical Events ✅

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo.
Allied forces landed on Normandy beaches on D-Day.
The Apollo 11 astronauts walked on the lunar surface.

Geographic Locations ✅

The Grand Canyon stretches 277 miles through Arizona.
Mount Everest rises 29,032 feet above sea level.
The Amazon River flows through the Brazilian rainforest.

Famous People ✅

Albert Einstein developed the theory of relativity.
Marie Curie won Nobel Prizes in physics and chemistry.
Nelson Mandela spent 27 years imprisoned on Robben Island.

Scientific Concepts ✅

DNA molecules form a double helix structure.
Black holes consume light and matter in space.
Neurons transmit signals through the nervous system.

What to Avoid

Abstract Concepts

❌ Avoid: 

Love conquers all obstacles.
Hope springs eternal in the human heart.
The essence of humanity lies in compassion.

Why? AI cannot find visuals for abstract emotions.

Fictional References

❌ Avoid: 

Like Frodo climbing Mount Doom...
Similar to the battle of Hogwarts...
Reminiscent of the Enterprise's journey...

Why? AI sources real footage, not fictional content.

Self-References

❌ Avoid: 

As I mentioned earlier in this video...
You can see on your screen...
Click the link below...

Why? AI doesn't understand video context.

Vague Pronouns

❌ Avoid: 

They did it during that time.
It happened there when she arrived.
These things changed everything.

Why? AI needs specific subjects to search.

Content Mode Optimization

For Documentary Mode

Emphasize: - Historical accuracy - Educational detail - Named sources - Time periods

The Great Pyramid of Giza was built around 2560 BC.
It served as a tomb for Pharaoh Khufu of Egypt.
Over 2.3 million stone blocks form its structure.

For News Mode

Emphasize: - Current events - Recent dates - News-worthy subjects - Dynamic action

Protesters gathered in downtown Portland on Tuesday.
Police deployed riot control measures near City Hall.
Mayor Johnson addressed the crowd from the steps.

SRT Formatting Best Practices

Timestamp Accuracy

Ensure timestamps match voiceover exactly:

1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,800
The Roman Empire dominated Europe for five centuries.

2
00:00:03,800 --> 00:00:07,200
At its peak, it controlled 5 million square kilometers.

Segment Duration

  • Minimum: 2 seconds per segment
  • Optimal: 3-6 seconds
  • Maximum: 10 seconds

Avoid Splitting

Don't split sentences across segments:

❌ Split: 

1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,000
The Roman Empire was one of the

2
00:00:02,000 --> 00:00:04,000
most powerful civilizations in history.

✅ Complete: 

1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:04,000
The Roman Empire was one of the most powerful civilizations in history.

Quality Checklist

Before submitting your script:

  • [ ] Every sentence has a visual subject
  • [ ] Proper nouns are used (names, places, dates)
  • [ ] Sentences are 10-20 words
  • [ ] Content flows chronologically or logically
  • [ ] No abstract concepts without visual examples
  • [ ] No fictional references
  • [ ] No self-referential statements
  • [ ] SRT timestamps are accurate
  • [ ] Each segment is 2-10 seconds

Example: Before & After

Before (Poor)

Throughout history, many things happened that changed the world.
People did amazing stuff during important times.
Leaders made decisions that affected everyone.
It was really significant for humanity.

After (Optimized)

The Industrial Revolution transformed British manufacturing from 1760 to 1840.
Steam engines powered factory machines in Manchester and Birmingham.
Child laborers worked 12-hour shifts in textile mills.
Parliament passed the Factory Acts to regulate working conditions.

Next Steps