After the script has been typed and distributed, it is advisable to type a breakdown of the scenes. Such a breakdown will assist in working out the schedule of shooting and also prove useful to the set designer, costume and make-up, the property manager and many others. The breakdown should contain:
Episode Number: if there is more than one episode.
Page Number: of script.
Scene Number: every change of location or change of time is given a fresh number.
Interior/Exterior: is the scene to take place inside or outside?
Day/Night: it might be helpful to continuity to write the actual day and the time. For example, ‘Day 1’, ‘Night 1’, ‘Day 2’, or ‘Day 1, 1000’, ‘Night 1, 2300’.
Set and synopsis: give the location, e.g. ‘garage’. It is very helpful to give a brief synopsis of the scene. This enables production people to work from the breakdown without having to refer to the script when planning schedules, costume and make-up changes and so on.
Characters: list all characters required in the scene, together with details of supporting artists.
Length: the length of each scene might be noted down in terms of the number of page or eighths of page, i.e. 4 or 5/8. This is helpful in scheduling the amount to shoot each day. To work out the eighths, fold a sheet of paper into eight and use as a template on each page of script.
Notes: leave a space for notes. This could be for you to mark whether there is direct or indirect continuity between scenes or characters. It will provide also a guide for costume, make-up and props.
RICCARTON JUNCTION: SCENE BREAKDOWN
Scene breakdown