Unit 1 Lesson 03

1

Lesson 3Script Breakdown

Digital Video BASICS

Schaefermeyer

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Schaefermeyer Digital Video BASICS 22

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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Break Down a Narrative ScriptScene 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

– Props– Make-up/Hair– Production Notes– Vehicles/Animals– Sound Effects/Music

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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.

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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.

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Mark a Multi-Camera Script (continued)

Plan ahead:

1. Identify which camera is used to cover which story.

2. Identify which tapes are in which machines and when those tapes need to be played.

3. Identify graphics.

4. Mark timing.

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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

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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.

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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.

Education

Unit 1 Lesson 03