I know what a script breakdown is (a list of everything needed for the movie), but when are they usually done (at what stage in the production process), and who usually does them?
help with script breakdowns?
- Thread starter geniusvisionary
- Start date
There are two primary steps: For budgeting and for scheduling. The
production manager will typically do the first breakdown with the
producer. That is done very early to figure out how much the movie
is going to cost to make. The first assistant director does the shooting
schedule breakdown.
I guess we're going to get differing answers, and you're going to have to work out what answer is right.
These people typically do a break down:
Line Producer
Production Manager
First AD
Director
Production Designer
Special Effects Coordinator
Actors
Production Sound Mixer
There are more depending on your production. For instance, a stunt coordinator, fight coordinator aren't on every shoot, though for those they are, they'll also need to do a break down of the appropriate scenes. Production Sound Mixer may not even do much more than just check the script to see if they need anything special they cannot normally handle, whether they'll need extra equipment/people for particular scenes. Sometimes this cannot even be done until production meetings and/or the scout has been done.
The critical break downs are the ones that come from the Line Producer, Production Manager and First AD - which make the schedule and budget.
There are other break down sheets that are referred to by other departments like Day-out-of-days and so on.
One thing you're going to learn about filmmaking. It's both a lot more fluid and a lot less fluid than most people expect. There's a lot of planning, though plans don't always go to plan.
It also depends on the style of the director. I had a nightmare director once. Every bit of planning was a waste. It was typical to be 5 minutes into a day and the plan was already thrown out. Scene order, shot lists. If it wasn't for location availability issues I'm sure that'd change without notice with more frequency. While that is atypical, it just shows it can happen.
These people typically do a break down:
Line Producer
Production Manager
First AD
Director
Production Designer
Special Effects Coordinator
Actors
Production Sound Mixer
There are more depending on your production. For instance, a stunt coordinator, fight coordinator aren't on every shoot, though for those they are, they'll also need to do a break down of the appropriate scenes. Production Sound Mixer may not even do much more than just check the script to see if they need anything special they cannot normally handle, whether they'll need extra equipment/people for particular scenes. Sometimes this cannot even be done until production meetings and/or the scout has been done.
The critical break downs are the ones that come from the Line Producer, Production Manager and First AD - which make the schedule and budget.
There are other break down sheets that are referred to by other departments like Day-out-of-days and so on.
One thing you're going to learn about filmmaking. It's both a lot more fluid and a lot less fluid than most people expect. There's a lot of planning, though plans don't always go to plan.
It also depends on the style of the director. I had a nightmare director once. Every bit of planning was a waste. It was typical to be 5 minutes into a day and the plan was already thrown out. Scene order, shot lists. If it wasn't for location availability issues I'm sure that'd change without notice with more frequency. While that is atypical, it just shows it can happen.
Why would all these people need separate breakdowns? Would they each do one to see what they, specifically would need? What kind of things would each of these people include in their breakdowns?
So far there have been no differing answers.
Line Producer/Production Manager: in many cases the same person. The Production
Manager typically breaks down the department heads, locations/sets, support
equipment, insurance, permits. In cases where a Line Producer is needed they
typically come on during the production stage to manage the day-to-day details.
First AD: Would do the day by day scheduling. They would break down the script
into locations, actors needed, day shoot and night shoots.
Director: The creative aspects.
Production Designer, Production Sound Mixer, Special Effects Coordinator: Department
heads would breakdown the script to address what they need to make everything
happen specific to their department.
Actors: I don't quite understand actors being on this list. Of course actors would
develop their characters but Sweetie can elaborate on what actors would do regarding
pre production breakdowns.
As you said, it's developing their character. For some comes from breaking down the script, searching for the subtext, meaning, inner dialogue etc etc.
With the exception of actors, those people are essentially the bosses of their departments.
What's the point in scheduling/budgeting these people if they don't know what they're going to do.
How are you going to come up with an accurate schedule/budget if they don't tell you how much it'll cost or whether they can achieve the result you want within the budget you've given then?
Yep. and/or to see if your schedule/budget is realistic and to advise whether you need to make alterations. The initial schedule/budget can change during pre-production, even during production itself, and post production. The initial budget/schedule are essentially first drafts of a plan of action.
Whatever is appropriate for their department, the production and script.
With the exception of actors, those people are essentially the bosses of their departments.
What's the point in scheduling/budgeting these people if they don't know what they're going to do.
How are you going to come up with an accurate schedule/budget if they don't tell you how much it'll cost or whether they can achieve the result you want within the budget you've given then?
Yep. and/or to see if your schedule/budget is realistic and to advise whether you need to make alterations. The initial schedule/budget can change during pre-production, even during production itself, and post production. The initial budget/schedule are essentially first drafts of a plan of action.
Whatever is appropriate for their department, the production and script.
What do you mean by this? Do you mean how the director wants everything to look?
I mean, what kind of stuff would the director include on his breakdown.
It will depend on each individual scene and each director. As I already said:
In other words, anything relevant. What part of that did you not understand?
Look, I understand where you're coming from now from that other thread where you announced that you want to write, direct, act and produce all at the same time. You're feeling rather overwhelmed. This is why film is considered a collaborative art form. There's nothing wrong with wearing many hats, but you're not ready to handle some of the hats you're intending on wearing. Wearing multiple hats, filling roles for your first time isn't a great idea. You're going to make mistakes while learning. If you cannot concentrate on your job (particularly due to you doing other jobs at the same time) you're going to make way more errors and it's possible you're not going to learn from them.
I've suggested you read a book, "Running the show." How did that go? I'll suggest other courses/books (I'm sure others will too) when I'm sure you've paying some attention. You are not going to learn how to direct or produce from forums. You'll have to do most of the heavy lifting yourself. Then come back and ask some specific questions to what parts you're not sure about.
In other words, anything relevant. What part of that did you not understand?
Look, I understand where you're coming from now from that other thread where you announced that you want to write, direct, act and produce all at the same time. You're feeling rather overwhelmed. This is why film is considered a collaborative art form. There's nothing wrong with wearing many hats, but you're not ready to handle some of the hats you're intending on wearing. Wearing multiple hats, filling roles for your first time isn't a great idea. You're going to make mistakes while learning. If you cannot concentrate on your job (particularly due to you doing other jobs at the same time) you're going to make way more errors and it's possible you're not going to learn from them.
I've suggested you read a book, "Running the show." How did that go? I'll suggest other courses/books (I'm sure others will too) when I'm sure you've paying some attention. You are not going to learn how to direct or produce from forums. You'll have to do most of the heavy lifting yourself. Then come back and ask some specific questions to what parts you're not sure about.
The thing is, I always the first AD or line producer makes the script breakdown (the list of sets, costumes, props, locations, and characters), and the director just decided on how he wants all the sets, costumes, props, locations, and characters to look based on the script breakdown.
Okay. Go for it. See how it goes.
Look, I've got nothing vested here.
I just don't see why you'd hire a dept head and have someone else tell them what they need to do their job. It just makes no sense why you want to run like this. It's like letting my wife decide what's wrong with my car and the total bill for the repairs and then limit the mechanic to her plan (hell, she cannot even drive a car, let alone know anything about fixing one).
Look, I've got nothing vested here.
I just don't see why you'd hire a dept head and have someone else tell them what they need to do their job. It just makes no sense why you want to run like this. It's like letting my wife decide what's wrong with my car and the total bill for the repairs and then limit the mechanic to her plan (hell, she cannot even drive a car, let alone know anything about fixing one).
I guess I'm kinda confused, because if the line producer and first AD break down locations/sets/characters and the department heads do their own breakdowns, then what would be left for the director to do?
The breakdowns and budgeting are the "administration" part of making
a movie. On very low budget films where there are only a few people
working on it these people (including the director) do everything. On a
project with a budget skilled professionals are paid to do what they do
best.
The director is the creative force behind the movie. What is left for the
director to do? Everything creative that doesn't involve money or
administrative work. Everyone working on the movie is working under
the direction of the director - working to realize the directors vision.
The directors job is to inspire the others.
The thing is, I always thought a script breakdown was just a list of stuff needed for the movie (sets, costumes, props, characters).
I meant that in regards to script breakdowns. Since the line producer and first AD break down sets, locations, and characters and the department heads handle props and costumes, what would the director include in his breakdown?
Nothing.
On a standard project that is fully funded the director does not participate
in the script breakdown at all. The breakdown you are talking about is for
budgeting; everything is broken down and priced to get a line item budget.
The director is not part of that process.
Are you asking for general knowledge or are you asking for specifics about
what YOU need to be doing for YOUR project?
Zero budget projects are different than ULB projects which are different
then low budget projects which are different than medium budget projects
which are different than studio projects.
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