笔记

SCRIPT BREAKDOWN

* To interprete script, you would need concrete expression for various elements, and learn to tell stories visually;

* how a script constructs --> the way they are interpreted;

* good direction --> SIMPLE; COUNTER-INTUITIVE (Avoid using a bunch of adjectives when you direct your actors);

SAMPLE BREAKDOWN:

-- ABE'S MANHOOD, by Geoff Berner & Aubrey Nealon

FADE IN

INT. LIVING ROOM -- NIGHT

A party. Arty looking people milling about. ABE and ELIZABETH, early twenties, stand together.

ABE

(to O.C. INTERVIEWER)

Yeah, I'm excited. I mean, this is it. There's been a lot of planning, a lot of preparation.

INTERVIEWER (O.C.)

(to Elizabeth)

How about you? How do you feel?

ELIZABETH

I think he knows how I feel.

【Basic Elements in a Script Breakdown Sheet】

* Break down a script is almost like rewriting a play; to work out the unit, you need to read the script very very carefully)

-- BREAKDOWN SHEET NO.

<1> 

-- FILM TITLE

<ABE'S MANHOOD>

-- SCRIPT DAY (Chronology Sequence of the play: Day/Night 1/2/3 ... 场景发生在剧中的时间)

<N3>

-- SCENE NO. (A new set-up = A new scene)

<1>

-- INT/EXT (Interior or Exterior 内景或外景)

<INT>

-- SET (Where this scene happens)

<Living Room>

-- DAY/NIGHT （日景或夜景）

<N>

-- PAGE COUNT (Minute quantifying work: 1 Unit = 8 min)

<3/8>

-- DESCRIPTION

<Abe gets excited about the party>

-- LOCATION (Actual shooting location>

-- STUDIO (Producing studio)

-- CAST (Anybody who delivers a dialogue in the scene)

<Abe, Interviewer, Elizabeth, Dave, Man & Woman>

注：Dave，Man & Woman 虽然在这场中没有对话，但是后面有他们因为在Party中的说话场景，因此在拍摄这一场的时候应该让他们出现在镜头中，以保持连贯。这也是应该先通读剧本再Breakdown，而后反复认真检查的原因。

-- EXTRAS (Everybody else appears)

<Party-goers Approx 20, Dave's friends>

-- STUNTS （替身演员）

-- SFX (Special effect 危险特效，场景特技)

-- PROPS (Things actors handle 演员将接触的道具)

<Party things, Cigaretes> 

-- WARDROBE; -- HAIR/Make-up

<Arty>

-- VEHICLES (Onscreen vehicles)

-- ANIMALS/ WRANGLERS （麻烦ABC：Animal，Boat，Children -- Be careful, don't push! ）

-- SET DEC （背景，静物道具）

<Party decorations>

-- GREENS

-- SP EQUIPMENT

-- SP VIS FX (Special visual effect, like CGI ... 特殊视觉效果)

-- NOTES

<Extra work with make-up>

COURSE OUTLINE

Week 1

-- Script Breakdown

* Assignment: Breakdown a short screen play

[Creative ideas # Execute]

Week 2

-- Scheduling, Day out of Days, One Liner, Call sheets

* Assignment: Schedule a short screenplay

[Set up Priority --> Most important thing]

Week 3

-- The Shoot

* Debrief assignment

[Strict order of unfolded event]

Week 5

-- Post Production and Marketing

[Make film for people to see & to communicate]

[Never assume: everything --> variation]

Recommended Text:

-- The Filmmaker's Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide for the Digital Age, by Steven Ascher, Edward Pincus, Carol Keller, Robert Brun, Ted Spagna, Stephen McCarthy Penguin, 1999

-- Film Production Management 101: The Ultimate Guide for Film and Television Production Management and Coordination, by Deborah Spatz, Michael Weise Productions, 2002

-- Producer's Workbook 3, Women in Film, WIFVV & Reel West, 2002

-- Directing: Film Techniques and Aesthetics, by Michael Rabiger, Focal Press, 1996