- Script Breakdown Template Excel
- Script Breakdown Template Excel Download
- Script Breakdown Template Excel File
- Scene Breakdown Template
Cover image via
A free script breakdown sheet has been added to the free stuff section for our readers! To learn more about breaking down scripts and making use of these breakdown sheets check out our post on Script Breakdowns. This is a very detailed post that goes through the ins and outs of breaking down a script, give it a read and be sure to download your. Free Script Breakdown Sheet. Script Breakdown. First you will need to: Print out the latest version of the script. It is very important to make sure you are working with the most recent version of the script. The last thing you want to do is breakdown the wrong script and then have to start all over. The first step to making a great video is having a great shot list. It's a vital ingredient, no matter how small or large your crew or cast is. A shot list is a kind of to-do list that helps everyone stay on the same page.
There are a few different ways to create a shot list, but what matters most is that you take the time to do it. Here’s one tested method to try next time you break a script down into a shot list.
Top image via Delta Film Academy
Filmmaking procedures will often change from production to production, studio to studio, and from region to region. There isn’t just one way to do something or one word to describe that particular function. Regarding shot lists, I’m sure you could find several different ways to create one.
In the book Script Supervising and Film Continuity, author Pat P. Miller, explains expertly explains the formal process. Yet even Miller says “You may design any format that serves your purpose, so long as the following information is properly recorded…”
Essentially, as long as your production crew is familiar with your format, you’re good to start shooting. First, you need to break down the shots on your script page.
In the example piece above, I’m going to breakdown and visualize the information into different shots. As seen below, you do this with a line which is closed off at the top and the bottom top to signifythe end of that shot.
When you do this in your script, it’s best to use a pencil — if you use a pen and change your mind halfway down the page, your script will get messy.
In the marked page above, I have four different lines, each representing a different shot. You may notice that some lines overlap one another, such as shot 2) and shot 2a). This conveys a few things:
- Shot 2) is longer than shot 2a).
- Because the length of 2a) is just a single line, all that’s to be filmed is the information ahead of the marking — turning the radio on.
- In the edit, we would like shot2a) to play out and then return back to shot2).
There is a common misconception that the first shot in a scene is called by the scene number and then the letter a. For example, 2a). This is incorrect.
The first shot of a brand new scene is just the scene number on its own — 2). Every proceeding change (lens change, camera position, frame rate change) after the initial shot is when you add a letter.
As a side tip: You can also put a wiggly line next to the character who is speaking but isn’t on camera. This is really more something a script supervisor would do for the editor, but if it’s going to help you distinguish who the camera is on when it comes to typing up your shot list, then use it to your advantage. You need to do this with your entire script. After all that is complete, start to implement this information into a more comprehensive and cleaner shot list.
It’s really up to you how involved you want your shot list to be. It’s going to depend on the size of your production and budget level. Below is a basic shot list that I’ve put together from all the information outlined above.
The primary purpose of the shot list is to help break down the scene into specific steps which will serve as a blueprint — and safety net — to your day of production. There are hundreds of shot list templates you can download for Microsoft Word and Excel. I find the shot list included in the video below (via Delta Film Academy) to be incredibly detailed and helpful.
It goes so far as including the length of the shot on the script page, and the predicted setup time for that shot. It’s ideal for efficiently planning shots. For further reading on the language of the script, I highly recommend the above-mentioned book Script Supervising and Film Continuity by Pat P. Miller. Although the primary purpose of the book is to study the craft of script supervising, it also breaks down a lot of other aspects such as the shooting schedule, how to break down a script, and so on.
Do you have any specific shot list templates you always use? Let us know in the comments.
After the script was marked up, the Producer would then create a breakdown sheet for each scene of the script.
It would look something like this:
Each Category would have its own little box, and the Producer would write in what was needed for each scene. These 'breakdown sheets' were then handed to the appropriate department heads so that they could prepare properly by either renting the item needed, buying it, getting it on loan, or even creating it.
Some of the department heads would include:
• Prop Master
• Head Makeup Artist
• Head Hairdresser
• Casting Director
• Stunt Coordinator
• Head Greensperson
• Head of Special/Visual Effects
So, for example if there were many EXTRAS needed for the scene, the Casting Director would have to make sure that there were enough extras on the set.
Also notice that the PAGE COUNT of the Scene is specified on the Breakdown Sheet. For this scene it is 2 1/8 pages.
So, how is this calculated? Again, in the 'old days' the person charged with breaking down the script would also have to calculate this number. They would take a pencil and a ruler and divide the screenplay pages into EIGHTHS OF PAGE, thusly:
Dividing the Screenplay in /8's of a Page
This was done so that the Director, Assistant Director, and Director of Photography could estimate or 'time' the scene. At the end of the shoot day, the Production Manager needs to log the page count shot on something called a Daily Production Report (DPR).
You are welcome to download our free Breakdown Sheet template below.
Breaking Down the Script with Film Scheduling Software
The modern way of breaking down a script is to use Film Scheduling Software. We here at Jungle Software recommend our software,
Gorilla Scheduling , which has been around since 2002. There are others, and you can see our Film Scheduling Comparison article to learn more and to compare them.
Breaking Down a Script in Film Scheduling Software
Script Breakdown Template Excel
One of the major perks when using Film Scheduling Software like Gorilla Scheduling, is that you can import the screenplay into it from your favorite screenplay program. Once imported, you can navigate to any scene and tag any element, such as a Prop, a Costume, a Special Effect, etc.
All Cast Members (CHARACTERS WITH DIALOGUE in the screenplay), will automatically be tagged and attached to the scene. The PAGE COUNT will also be automatically calculated for you, so you don't have to take out the pencil and the ruler and draw silly lines all over your script!
Instead of using a highlighter on your physical screenplay, you can attach elements to scenes directly. Once you create an element, for example, a GUN, you can easily attach that element to any other scene in the script.
And when you are ready to print out a Breakdown Sheet, all you have to do is click a button.
Script Breakdown Template Excel Download
Breakdown Sheet in Gorilla
For a complete working demo of Gorilla Scheduling click here for Macintoshor here for Windows.