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Script Breakdowns
What is Breaking Down a Script?
Breaking down a script is the process of splitting a script down into details for each department, such as hair, makeup or costume. You would do a script breakdown at the start of pre-production, typically before anything else as this document is then used as an aid for other pre-production documents like storyboards or location scouting.
It is useful because it allows the filmmakers to understand the production requirements and can help producers to determine the budget for a film. In a large production, each department would so their own breakdowns that the producers would then review as one and coordinate.
'Script Breakdown 101' - Notes
Notes:
It helps you understand what's on the page vs what you see on the page better
Makes for better communication with departments
Be organised!
Appoint colours for each of your elements (e.g. hair, costume, props, sound etc)
Story days - If you script occurs over multiple days, then adding the narrative day each scene happens on can help to understand what is happening when and things that might need to be shot/made first.
Breakdown sheet - Once you've done a script breakdown, put all the elements into a more formal document (often in a table format), which is easier to read and helps to avoid confusion.
To help with understanding the process of breaking down a script, we watched a video where Andrew Spieler explained how he does this for big productions.
The Video
Elements
Character/cast members- every time a character is mentioned
Set dressing- does you set need to have background props to fit a specific era or place e.g. a bar needs bottles
extras- in some settings it may not be mentioned directly but you will need people to fill space e.g. a busy street
Props- anything characters interact with physically, sometimes these aren't mentioned directly so you need to pay attention and also be creative in what it will look like, e.g. 'the bartender pours her another'. also do you need resets?
Sound- any specific noises noted in the script, e.g.'sally SLAMS back her scotch'
Costume- how does the character interact with their costume, do they need specific pockets how is it described, e.g. 'sally takes something out of her pocket'
doors! these can be props or set dressing, check with your departments
stunt- can be anything more than a walk, even running on loose stone, e.g. 'facedown in their soups'
if you have a character that is dead, you will want to include both makeup and sfx makeup because makeup will make them look dead and drained and sfx will make them bloody.
weapons- these will be separate to props because theres a lot more logistics to them and will require a weapons wrangler
Breaking Down A Script Into 8ths
Break script into 8ths
determines how long a scene is
draw about 8 lines of equal distance on your page
gives more detail on specifity on how long a scene is
e.g., you can say a scene is a page and 2/8th (rather than a page and a half)
Example of Shot Coverage I Have Completed
Shot List - Everyone Loves Stacie.xlsxShotlist
Script with Shot list Lines.pdfShot Coverage Lines
Example of A Script I Have Broken Down
Script Breakdown - Everyone Loves Stacie.pdfBroken Down Script
Script Breakdown - Everyone Loves Stacie.docxScript Breakdown Sheet
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