Breaking down the script

The process of breaking down the script occurs after the producer reads through the screenplay once. The producer or a first assistant director reviews the script, and marks certain elements that need to be taken care of before production, or even before pre-production can begin.

Marking 1/8s

Each scene, as per slug line, is measured into 1/8s of a page by its number of inches. Most pages of a screenplay are eight inches, so each inch is an 1/8, even if a page exceeds eight inches. The number of 1/8s is then marked in the top left corner of the scene, and circled. If a scene lasts longer than eight 1/8s, it is converted to 1. So, a scene lasting twelve 1/8s is marked 1 4/8.

Marking elements

To ease future production, an assistant director marks the elements found in each scene. This process repeats for each new scene. By the end, the producer will be able to see which scenes need which elements, and can begin to schedule accordingly. The film industry has a standard for color-coding:

Element color codes

Element	Shape or color	Description
Cast	Red	Any speaking actor
Stunts	Orange	Any stunt that may require a stunt double, or stunt coordinator.
Extra (Silent bits)	Yellow	Any extra needed to perform specifically, but has no lines.
Extra (Atmosphere)	Green	Any extra or group of extras needed for the background.
Special Effects	Blue	Any special effect required.
Props	Purple	All objects important to the script, or used by an actor.
Vehicles/Animals	Pink	Any vehicles, and all animals, especially if it requires an animal trainer.
Sound Effects/Music	Brown	Sounds or music requiring specific use on set. Not sounds added in during post.
Wardrobe	Circle	Specific costumes needed for production, and also for continuity if a costume gets ripped up, or dirtied throughout the movie.
Make-up/Hair	Asterisk	Any make-up or hair attention needed. Common for scars and blood.
Special Equipment	Box	If a scene requires the use of more uncommon equipment, (e.g. crane, underwater camera, etc.).
Production Notes	Underline	For all other questions about how a scene will go, or confusion about how something happens.

Filmmaking

Development	Film treatment scriptment Step outline Screenplay process Spec Script Film Adaptation Hook Option Film budgeting Film finance pitch Green-light

Pre-production	Script breakdown process Shooting script Storyboard Casting Rehearsal Production board production strip Day Out of Days Production schedule Shooting schedule one-liner

Production	Film crew Cinematic techniques Principal photography Cinematography Videography Daily call sheet Dailies (rushes) Daily Reports Film inventory report Production report Daily production report Daily progress report Sound report Cost report Daily editor log

Post-production	Film editing Re-recording Sync sound Soundtrack Music Special effects sound visual Negative cost

Distribution	Film distributor list Film release wide limited delayed Roadshow

Related	Box office Guerrilla filmmaking Development hell Film Filmography Film industry Film rights Turnaround

Categories

Screenwriting

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Breaking down the script