How I write my scripts

I'm not often asked how I write scripts, in comparison as to how I make my animations, but I think the script is actually just as important, and possibly quite a bit harder. That's because it's not immediately obvious if you do something wrong.

The method changes a lot from video to video. Some videos take a lot of incremental research, for which I take notes, and then I write and have questions that I have to research, etc etc. But others, like the one I will be showing, are much more straightforward.

I'll take my last video about square springs as an example.
When I uploaded the first spring video, I said that springs are not made from square metal. I was quickly told in the comments that there are in fact square springs, and that those square springs are better for some applications. One commenter told me about increased strength, and another sent me a picture of the square spring in one of his antique guns and told me that they are more stable when compressed.

I set out on my research with a few questions.
Where are square springs used?
Are they stronger, and why?
Do they last longer or shorter?
What other advantages and disadvantages do they have?

So I did some googling and I contacted some manufacturers (non of which could tell me anything useful). After reading a ton of forums, a few research papers, data sheets from manufacturers and watching some videos, I had answered most my questions.
They are used in places where space is at a premium and a lot of power is needed. For example, in some combustion engines.
They are stronger mostly because they have more metal.
If you keep everything else equal, they seem to last shorter because the stresses are not uniformly distributed over the surface. The corners start to crack earlier than a circle would. The problem with that statement is that square springs are usually created to a higher standard, making them last just as long as normal springs or even longer. It's a bit like comparing the average macbook vs the average windows laptop. The macbook wins, but that's because they are on average much more expensive and therefore made to a higher standard. So the info on this was limited, and I needed to make sure I don't write that all square springs have a short lifespan.
I couldn't find any high quality information on the buckling; if square springs are more stable in fully compressed states. But I trusted my common sense that flat surfaces are more stable than round ones when pushed together and of course this commenter with his gun.

What counts as a version was really just whatever felt like a new version. I think I wrote this in 3 or 4 sessions. I always have to let my brain rest and than look at it with fresh eyes. Otherwise you get "demo-love" which is a process in which you'll learn to love whatever you see/hear enough times, even if it's bad. Anyway, here are all the versions of the script:

v1

Some springs are not round, but square. That's because they can fit slightly more metal into the same space, leading to a higher volumetric power density, this is handy in tight spaces like engines. They also behave much like a stiff tube when fully compressed, which is handy when they are repeatedly slammed close

v2

Springs are sometimes made from square metal, and not round metal. That's because squares stack better than circles, which means that they have slightly more metal - and thus power - in the same space. Square springs also behave much better when they are slammed together 

v3

Springs are sometimes made from square metal, and not round metal. That's because squares stack better than circles. This leads to more metal - and thus power - in the same space. And it also means that square springs behave much better when they are slammed together.

v4

Springs are sometimes made from square metal. That's because squares stack better than circles. This leads to more metal - and thus power - in the same space. It also means that square springs behave much better when they are fully compressed. And even though round ones are lighter(?), cheaper and more durable(?),

v5

Springs are sometimes made from square metal. Or at least rectangular-ish metal. That's because squares stack better than circles. This leads to more metal in the same space, and therefore more power. Square springs are also much more stable when they are fully compressed. And even though round ones are cheaper and arguably more durable,

At this point I made a start on the animation. I often have to change the order of some words because that makes more sense visually.

v6

Some springs are made from square metal. Or at least rectangular-ish metal. That's because squares stack better than circles. This leads to more metal in the same space, and therefore more power. Square springs are also more stable under extreme loads. And even though corners make it easier for cracks to form, and even though round ones are cheaper,

I hope you enjoyed this little insight!

love,

Aldo