Script Breakdown Template Excel

A script breakdown is the preproduction step that helps identify all the elements in a scene so they can be prepped prior to production and included in the shooting schedule, call sheets and various other script breakdown sheets reports. The reason I use Excel to develop story structure is based on a writing principle I discovered years ago. I call it getting a God’s-Eye View of the story. I realized that by writing my outline beats in a normal word processing program it took screen after screen to go through my scenes. So while I was looking at one portion of my story, the rest of the story was out of sight. And as they say. How you can maintain script breakdown sheet in excel and word or keep record? Download Preproduction Forms/Charts and script template for you. Script Breakdown Sheet Templates. 6.60 Pro-b Fast Recovery. The third option is to input all of your markings into this free script breakdown template via Excel or Google Docs.

Breakdown Sheet Sample
Script Breakdown Template Excel Pdf
Script Breakdown Template Excel
Script Breakdown Template Excel Online

The new story and script means that I need to redo my breakdown sheets for my short, there are a lot less characters and props so it’s a lot easier to plan now and should definitely be more feasible to get done. The script was broken up into 7 scenes and the assets and effects required were divided into their categories. Here is a sample of my breakdown pages, using the same template as a base that I linked in my first breakdowns post. These will face some adjustments most likely as I get more feedback on the current story version but for now they are pretty helpful in planning the film, and later will be vital when I need to see what all I need to do and make.

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

Breakdown Sheet Sample

• 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

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.

Breakdown Sheet in Gorilla