WRITE A NATURE DOCUMENTARY SCRIPT!
GET STARTED
AQUiLA MAGAZINE
EARTH
WRITE A NATURE DOCUMENTARY SCRIPT!
If you enjoyed the feature on David Attenborough inside our Earth Science issue, then have a go at this activity!
WORDWORM’ S MISSION
Nature documentaries are, undeniably, totally gripping. But what is it about them that hooks a viewer and holds their attention? Is it the action? The moment an iguana tentatively moves towards some food only to be ambushed by a waiting snake – the horror! Perhaps it’ s the adorable way a penguin waddles about calling for its lost chick that has everyone glued to their sofas saying,‘ awww!’ Whatever the magic on screen is, it is undoubtedly the narration that plays a huge part in bringing these stories even more to life – allowing us to imagine we’ re actually there, witnessing it all firsthand. Wordworm wants you to make like Attenborough and have a go writing your own script for a truly compelling nature documentary. You could just tackle the introduction, or write the whole thing – aim for 500 words if you’ re writing just the intro.
GET STARTED
Step 1:
Firstly, you need to decide on your subject matter. What will the focus of your documentary be? It could be a specific animal, place, habitat or biome. Once you’ ve made your decision, start researching your chosen subject in books and see if you can find some good documentaries for style inspiration on TV or YouTube – please have permission for this and stay safe on the web. Begin to make notes about your chosen topic.
Step 2:
What do you notice about the way these documentaries begin? What tone do you find engaging? Is there a particular way of speaking that makes you trust the commentary? Attenborough speaks softly and gently, ramping up his pace as action in the natural world unfolds – does this manner make you trust his voice and keep you watching? Perhaps a different style of narration appeals to you – maybe you’ ll use short sentences, delivered quickly and LOUD for MAXIMUM IMPACT! o
o
ACTIVITY SKILLS 1 hour +
DIFFICULTY
YOU WILL NEED
Nature documentaries via TV or YouTube( supervised by an adult)
Pen and paper
Step 3:
Write your award-winning introduction! Now you have a style to use and some research, get cracking on a short introduction combining these two elements!
You could use pen and paper, or type it up – next stop, the BAFTAs!
WORDWORM WOULD LOVE TO READ YOUR SENSATIONAL SCRIPTS!
Don’ t forget to send your work to us via the AQUILAnauts’ page of the AQUILA website, and we’ ll share as many as we can.
www. readers. aquila. co. uk / aquilanauts / your-letters
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© AQUILA MAGAZINE. Written by Jennifer Newton-Brown