Copy script software

Hi,
I’m currently trying to track down a suitable system to manage commercial scripts. Something that will give an exact read time of the script. Ideally it shoud be able to talk to broadnet. Similar to word, but something that gives an acurate time of each script.

[I'm asking for a friend .. I don't know what he means either, but I posted just in case someone here does]

Thanks.

The only systems I've seen are huge, expensive, and when it comes down to script timing, they require an exact rate per presenter to work them out. This is because if presenter X reads at 2.9 WPS and presenter Y reads at 3.1, a 500 word script comes out at either 2'52"  or 2'41" depending on which one read it. Most people don't like the inaccuracy of a system that just assumes a norm of 3 WPS, because it doesn't take long for inevitable errors to build up. I'm pretty sure that the BBC CMS requires a separate rate for each presenter, and if I think about it long enough, I'll remember what it's called... although it doesn't come particularly recommended.

OK, thanks for the reply anyway Steve.

All the main script writing systems for radio/TV (Dalet, ENPS, Avidnews etc etc.) allow you to enter a read rate for each announcer/reporter.

None of them (at least the three above which I've worked with) work well enough to trust and we'd just go back to counting 3 words per second and letting the annoucer adjust to fit.

It wouldn't take much to divide the "Word" word count by a specific read rate, but I can't see why anyone would bother.

Bob

(Deliver in a Caring Voice)  I agree that depending on the emotion and inflection of certain… key words in a script... the rate of delivery can be different. If it's a fast paced multi-voice car commercial… the script could contain more words then a dialogue commercial….but both could be the same length in time.  

This is why I always have the habit of putting ……. Dots to indicate pauses in the script and underline the words that I want the announcer to inflect. I also put ( Emotion ) where needed.  

(compassionate voice) Oh I agree wholeheartedly