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How To Breakdown Your Script (Without Breaking Down Yourself)

It was a day like any other.

Just kidding… My one-and-a-half-year-old? He got his shots.

No fun, total breakdown—but 10 minutes later? Swinging, sliding, laughing.

All the fun.

But here’s the real breakdown I want to share—script breakdown.
(see what I did there? haha!)

Before We Dive In…

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Script Breakdown

If you want to succeed on a filmset, you need to win in pre-production.

The script breakdown is step one.

We need to know all the elements that go into every scene.

These elements are:

  • Characters
  • Stunts
  • Extras / Atmosphere
  • Special Effects
  • Props
  • Vehicles / Animals
  • Wardrobe
  • Makeup / Hair
  • Sound Effects / Music
  • Special Equipment

In the past, 1st ADs would write each scene’s details by hand.

Today? Digital templates can automate almost everything.

The Step-By-Step

Step 1. Go through your script and number all your scenes.

Step 2. Go scene-by-scene and highlight every element that shows up.

Use the legend.

  • Characters / Cast – Red
  • Stunts – Yellow
  • Extras / Atmosphere – Green
  • Special Effects – Blue
  • Props – Purple
  • Vehicles / Animals – Pink
  • Wardrobe – (Circled)
  • Makeup / Hair – Asterisk*
  • Sound Effects / Music – Orange
  • Special Equipment – [Boxed]

Step 3. Create a page for each scene. You can use this template. It’s free. (click File > Make a copy)

Transfer all the elements that you highlighted and fill out the details.

You think that’s a lot of work? Welcome to filmmaking!

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