True crime episodes follow a familiar shape for good reason: it builds tension while keeping the facts clear. Copy this template, fill in each section from your research, and check the notes at each step.
The template
- COLD OPEN (0:00–1:00): [one vivid, factual moment] + [the central question] — no graphic detail.
- THE PEOPLE: [who the victim was beyond the crime] + [key people involved, described factually].
- THE PLACE AND TIME: [setting and context that matters to the case].
- TIMELINE: [events in order, with dates and sources].
- THE INVESTIGATION: [what police and others did, what evidence emerged].
- THE TURN: [the discovery, arrest, trial or dead end].
- THEORIES (if unsolved): [each theory] → [evidence for] → [evidence against] — never accuse uncharged people.
- WHERE IT STANDS: [current status, what's still unknown].
- CLOSE: [returning to the victim/legacy] + [sources note] + [next episode].
Research checkpoints
- Every date, name and quote traced to a source you can cite.
- Conflicting accounts flagged as such.
- Allegations described as allegations; verdicts as verdicts.
- Recent cases checked for ongoing proceedings before publishing.
Tone and ethics
Write as if the victim's family will watch — sometimes they do. Avoid sensational adjectives, jokes about violence and invented dialogue presented as real. If you dramatise a scene, say it's a reconstruction. Graphic detail rarely adds understanding and can limit ads.
Length guide
At a narration pace of about 150–190 words a minute, a 30-minute episode is roughly 4,500–5,700 words. Give the timeline and investigation the most space; keep the cold open short.
A worked cold open
“On the morning of the fourth day, the boat was found drifting two miles offshore. The engine was off, the lights were still on, and dinner was laid out for three. The family who owned it was never seen again.” Three sentences, all verifiable details, one central question — and nothing graphic.
Narration style tips
- Calm, measured delivery builds more tension than dramatic voices.
- Short sentences at key reveals.
- Dates and places said clearly — viewers use them to follow the timeline.
- Avoid sound effects that trivialise real events.
Description and sources block
- A one-line summary of the case.
- Chapters following the template sections.
- A list of the main sources: court records, newspapers, books.
- A note that the video discusses real events and people, and any content warnings.
Choosing a narrative structure
Pick one per episode and stick to it; switching mid-episode confuses the timeline.
- Chronological: best for complex cases where order matters.
- Investigation-first: open with the discovery, then go back — builds mystery.
- Person-centred: told through the victim's life; best for respectful, human stories.
- Theory-driven: for unsolved cases, organised around competing explanations.
Content warnings
Add a brief spoken and written note at the start if an episode discusses violence or abuse, so viewers can choose whether to watch.
Fact-checking pass
- Highlight every date, name, number and quote in the script.
- Check each against your source list; mark anything unsourced.
- Remove or soften unsourced claims (“reports suggest” only if a report does).
- Re-read for any implied guilt that wasn't established in court.
From script to episode
Paste the finished script into DreamTuber to narrate it and illustrate each moment — Case File Noir and Comic / Graphic Novel styles suit the genre without photoreal depictions of real people. About 44 credits per 10 minutes. Our guide to starting a true crime channel covers case selection and monetisation.
Make one with DreamTuber
One topic in, a finished long-form video out — script, voice, visuals, and render, automatically.
Create your first videoFrequently asked
How long is a true crime script?+
For a 30-minute episode, about 4,500–5,700 words.
Can I use this for a podcast?+
Yes — the structure works for audio too.
Should I include theories?+
For unsolved cases, yes, with evidence for and against — and never accuse people who weren't charged.
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