Lesson 3 Script Breakdown Digital Video BASICS Schaefermeyer
Objectives Use Final Draft to create a shooting script Break down a narrative script Use Word to create a scene breakdown sheet Break down a documentary script Mark a multi-camera script Schaefermeyer Digital Video BASICS
Vocabulary Cast Extras Production notes Props Scene breakdown sheet Scene numbers Script breakdown Shooting script Sound effects/music Special effects Special equipment Stunts Vehicles/animals Schaefermeyer Digital Video BASICS
Introduction The script is the guide for the story, but the script breakdown is the guide for production. The breakdown helps you identify what casting needs to be done, what locations to plan on, and how much money is needed and where it is spent. Schaefermeyer Digital Video BASICS
Using Final Draft to Create a Shooting Script To make the script breakdown easier for the production, there are two documents that you create: a shooting script and a scene breakdown sheet. A shooting script includes scene numbers and revisions. A scene breakdown sheet identifies the individual elements needed to shoot each scene. Schaefermeyer Digital Video BASICS
Break Down a Narrative Script Movie scenes are not usually shot in order due to the expense involved. Breaking down a script is actually breaking down each scene—what needs to be shot, where things are going to be shot, and everything that needs to be included in each scene. Schaefermeyer Digital Video BASICS
Break Down a Narrative Script Scene Breakdown Elements The most common system for a script breakdown is to color code each element. The information you need to include in the breakdown sheet is as follows: Cast Special Effects Wardrobe Special Equipment Stunts Extras Schaefermeyer Digital Video BASICS  Props Make-up/Hair Production Notes Vehicles/Animals Sound Effects/Music
Break Down a Documentary Script Read the script and identify what footage is needed to complete the script—still photographs, existing videos, or movies. Instead of casting, you may need to identify people to be interviewed, identify someone to do the voice over, and identify someone to do location scouting. Schaefermeyer Digital Video BASICS
Mark a Multi-Camera Script The director of a scripted shoot marks the script so they know what each camera shoots and when it happens. The idea is to get everything prepared beforehand so you can adjust accordingly if needed. Marking your script allows you to make decisions before you are on air when there is little or no pressure. Schaefermeyer Digital Video BASICS
Mark a Multi-Camera Script (continued) Plan ahead: Identify which camera is used to cover which story. Identify which tapes are in which machines and when those tapes need to be played. Identify graphics. Mark timing. Schaefermeyer Digital Video BASICS
Mark a Multi-Camera Script (continued) When marking a script for news broadcast: Keep marking to a minimum and keep the marking clear Make the marks in the same location so you do not have to look all over the place for what you have written down Schaefermeyer Digital Video BASICS
Summary The script is the guide for the story; the script breakdown is the guide for production. A shooting script consists of scene numbers and revisions. It is used to create the scene breakdown sheet. A script breakdown identifies what needs to be shot, where things are going to be shot, and all the individual elements needed to shoot a scene. Schaefermeyer Digital Video BASICS
Summary (continued) Cast, Special Effects, Wardrobe, Special Equipment, Stunts, Extras, Props, Makeup/Hair, Production Notes, Vehicles/Animals, and Sound Effects/Music are common elements found in a scene breakdown sheet. Breaking down a documentary script is much the same as breaking down a narrative script. Identifying the camera, tapes, tape machines, graphics, and timing are part of marking a multi-camera script. Schaefermeyer Digital Video BASICS

Unit 1 Lesson 03

  • 1.
    Lesson 3 ScriptBreakdown Digital Video BASICS Schaefermeyer
  • 2.
    Objectives Use FinalDraft to create a shooting script Break down a narrative script Use Word to create a scene breakdown sheet Break down a documentary script Mark a multi-camera script Schaefermeyer Digital Video BASICS
  • 3.
    Vocabulary Cast ExtrasProduction notes Props Scene breakdown sheet Scene numbers Script breakdown Shooting script Sound effects/music Special effects Special equipment Stunts Vehicles/animals Schaefermeyer Digital Video BASICS
  • 4.
    Introduction The scriptis the guide for the story, but the script breakdown is the guide for production. The breakdown helps you identify what casting needs to be done, what locations to plan on, and how much money is needed and where it is spent. Schaefermeyer Digital Video BASICS
  • 5.
    Using Final Draftto Create a Shooting Script To make the script breakdown easier for the production, there are two documents that you create: a shooting script and a scene breakdown sheet. A shooting script includes scene numbers and revisions. A scene breakdown sheet identifies the individual elements needed to shoot each scene. Schaefermeyer Digital Video BASICS
  • 6.
    Break Down aNarrative Script Movie scenes are not usually shot in order due to the expense involved. Breaking down a script is actually breaking down each scene—what needs to be shot, where things are going to be shot, and everything that needs to be included in each scene. Schaefermeyer Digital Video BASICS
  • 7.
    Break Down aNarrative Script Scene Breakdown Elements The most common system for a script breakdown is to color code each element. The information you need to include in the breakdown sheet is as follows: Cast Special Effects Wardrobe Special Equipment Stunts Extras Schaefermeyer Digital Video BASICS Props Make-up/Hair Production Notes Vehicles/Animals Sound Effects/Music
  • 8.
    Break Down aDocumentary Script Read the script and identify what footage is needed to complete the script—still photographs, existing videos, or movies. Instead of casting, you may need to identify people to be interviewed, identify someone to do the voice over, and identify someone to do location scouting. Schaefermeyer Digital Video BASICS
  • 9.
    Mark a Multi-CameraScript The director of a scripted shoot marks the script so they know what each camera shoots and when it happens. The idea is to get everything prepared beforehand so you can adjust accordingly if needed. Marking your script allows you to make decisions before you are on air when there is little or no pressure. Schaefermeyer Digital Video BASICS
  • 10.
    Mark a Multi-CameraScript (continued) Plan ahead: Identify which camera is used to cover which story. Identify which tapes are in which machines and when those tapes need to be played. Identify graphics. Mark timing. Schaefermeyer Digital Video BASICS
  • 11.
    Mark a Multi-CameraScript (continued) When marking a script for news broadcast: Keep marking to a minimum and keep the marking clear Make the marks in the same location so you do not have to look all over the place for what you have written down Schaefermeyer Digital Video BASICS
  • 12.
    Summary The scriptis the guide for the story; the script breakdown is the guide for production. A shooting script consists of scene numbers and revisions. It is used to create the scene breakdown sheet. A script breakdown identifies what needs to be shot, where things are going to be shot, and all the individual elements needed to shoot a scene. Schaefermeyer Digital Video BASICS
  • 13.
    Summary (continued) Cast,Special Effects, Wardrobe, Special Equipment, Stunts, Extras, Props, Makeup/Hair, Production Notes, Vehicles/Animals, and Sound Effects/Music are common elements found in a scene breakdown sheet. Breaking down a documentary script is much the same as breaking down a narrative script. Identifying the camera, tapes, tape machines, graphics, and timing are part of marking a multi-camera script. Schaefermeyer Digital Video BASICS