When working on a new
story/script, it is important to notify the key areas of the story which are to
be divided into separate scenes. This is most effectively achieved by creating
a ‘scene breakdown chart.’ Each scene in the chart is given a number and has
all of its vital elements listed within, from actions to characters, and props
and costume.
- The first column of the chart identifies the number of each scene.
- The second column in the chart contains a brief description of the events that occur within each scene of the script.
- The third column indicates which page and line in the script the scene begins and ends (this includes only the spoken lines and excludes any actions in the script).
- The fourth column informs of any location names, places or description (i.e. a field, character’s house, etc…).
- The fifth column contains any information pertaining to time, season and date of the scene (for example, 12:00, midday, October 21st, Autumn, etc…).
- The sixth column indicates any specific lighting cues/suggestions. This can include colour and type, such as spotlighting, etc…
- Column seven contains information about sound effects (such as, bird song, loud screech, etc…).
- The overall mood/tone of each scene is presented in column eight. This is simple description of the tone, whether it is light-hearted and peaceful, or dark and disturbing, etc...
- The props and costumes required for each scene are highlighted in columns nine and ten.
- The final column(s) of the chart is divided into several sub-columns which contain each character’s name. With the use of colour coding, these columns indicate which characters are present in the scene, with each colour representing a different character. The start and finishing point of each character’s colour within the scene varies depending on when they enter or exit the scenes of the story, for example, some may start at the beginning of the scene or carry-over from a previous one, or appear part way through the scene.
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Scene Number
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Scene Description & Plot
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Page & Line
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Location, Place
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Season, Date, Time
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Light
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Sound
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Mood/Tone
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Props
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Costume
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Characters
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1
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2
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3
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