Production Management Lecture 5 - Script Breakdown

SCRIPT BREAKDOWN
Lecturer’s Name : Mr Sicelo Nxumalo
Contact Details
Email Address : [email protected]
Contact Number : 031 373 6628
LEARNING OUTCOMES
• On completion of this section, you should be able to analyse a film and

Television production script
• Be able to breakdown a production script
• Be able categorise each section of a production script
• Be able to link the script to budgeting
• Be able to use a script breakdown template
• Intro Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMep2s_T89c
ANALYSING A PRODUCTION SCRIPT
• Script breakdown is important because it can impact on the production schedule
and the overall production budget.
• Throughout the script analysis and breakdown process, it is always important that
you consider how the audience would perceive production.
• No matter how well you have been briefed on what the script entails, it’s always
advisable that you read it thoroughly- while paying attention to details.
• It is always advisable that a production manager marks and make notes while
breaking down the script in order to make notes of ideas, necessary changes and
key areas that need improvements.
• Notes can be made on a hard copy using a highlighter pen or electronically using
adobe edit or specialized script breakdown software such as CELTX.
• Make sure you are familiar with the script and fully understand it before you proceed
to making decisions and amendments.
• At first glance, look at the script as it is without considering factors like budget and
schedule, thereafter you can start prioritizing.
PRODUCTION TEAM FOCUS WHEN ANALYZING THE
SCRIPT
• DIRECTOR- focuses of the expression of creativity as per the producers ideas and gives
instructions to actors and crew members- creativity should be with the script boundaries
• PRODUCTION DESGINER- focuses of props, set, characters appearance and other
visual aspects that appear on the script.
• DOP- Will focus on the camera shots and movements based on what is appears on script
and what the director wants
• PRODUCTION MANAGER- analyses the script and consult with the director, DOP and
production designer to compile the call sheets, which should also be guided by the script
requirements. Has to ensure that all logistics are in place, and continuously takes
corrective actions to help fulfil script requirements.
• CAST- actors would mainly focus on the dialogue, movements and expression of feelings
when analyzing the script.
REPEATEDLY READ THE SCRIPT TO IDENTIFY GREY AREAS
• While reading the script, look out for areas that may severely affect your
production in terms of schedule, budgeting and allocation of resources.
• In this process you will identify ways in which you can best possibly minimize
costs.
• This is the right time to make major changes, amendments and
recommendations that are deemed necessary, rather than waiting until the
start of the production.
• Get the number of scenes and locations right as early as this stage, although
you can make amendments later.
• Scenes should the differentiated according to the set up such as day or night,
outdoors or indoors- as this would impact on the overall scheduling of
production.
HIGHLIGHT THE KEY ASPECTS OF THE SCRIPT
• Mark and highlights all the team members that form a cast
• Identify all extras or things like animals- extras is the silent cast in the background of the scene.
Extras are also guided by the script, thus they have to be instructed on their movement.
• Extras can either be on their clothes or dressed in a particular way, depending on the role they are
fulfilling on the scenes.
• List all the necessary props
• List the costumes so that you can identify what should go into the wardrobe
• Wardrobe is closely linked to the make up, thus make up is equally as important to be considered.
• By analysing the make up requirements you will be able to identify the ideal budget for make up artist
and material.
• Identity the required equipment- eg. The number of required microphones may be determined by the
number of people on the scene and so are the cameras.
• Identify transport requirements
• Identify required and suitable sound effects
LISTING THE SCRIPT REQUIREMENTS ON A TEMPLATE
• There are different types of templates, which serve the same purpose.
• The templates may differ according to a types production or the industry.
• A production manager is allowed to originate a new script breakdown template where it
is deemed necessary in order to align to a type of production.
• Before transferring the script elements or items into a template, you first need to
highlight all the required items.
• Sound effects also form part of the requirements- for example, specific sound track, birds
sounds etc. these can be added at the editing stage, but all notes have to be made on a
script breakdown.
• Copyright clearance may need to be obtained prior, in situations like when an artists
music track is used in the background.
• Further down the template, there's a section where the notes can be listed. This will help
the production manager to remember all the important points to be considered.
SCHEDULING FOR THE SHOOT OF THE SCENES
• The general guide that is used in TV and Production industry, is that 1 minute
scene should be covered by a single page dialogue scene on screen.
• Durations may vary, depending on the nature of the scene. This is where the
production manager has to apply discretion and experience to estimate the
scenes duration when scheduling.
• When choosing the scene location, its advisable to choose a location with
minimal distractions as much as possible.
• The less the distracted the scene locations are, the more likely the production
will stick to the initially planned schedule. For example- you wouldn’t have to
wait for a train or plane to pass, wouldn’t have to wait for the construction
drilling to stop etc. before you can resume with the shoot.
BE REALISTIC WITH THE REQUIREMENTS
• Production managers need to be realistic and consider budget requirements
when breaking down a script.- always make decisions with the script and
allocated budget at the back of your mind.
• Decisions made at this point have a huge impact on the overall budget.
• For example- they cant ask for a background of a fancy kitchen to be built up,
while that scene will only last for 1 episode or few minutes.
• Instead, someone's property can be rented and used for the once off scene,
rather than acquiring the whole set of props to build the kitchen.
• With cars its different, because you can simply hire an fancy car for that 1
hour to appear on the scene. However you can enter into a car hire contract
if you are looking to consistently have that car on the scenes.
THE END

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SCRIPT BREAKDOWN

Lecturer’s Name : Mr Sicelo Nxumalo

• On completion of this section, you should be able to analyse a film and

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