Breaking down the script: the first step in generating the budget

 Whether for a film or television project, the next step after the competition of the script is to break it down into its primary elements so that a budget can be generated.  Although most script writing programs do automatically add some elements, such as the speaking character roles, each scene still needs to be manually checked so that the necessary information will appear on the reports.  Without knowing who, what, where, and for how long, it is impossible to generate the budget.  If done correctly, it will also collect and organized the information for the daily call logs.

The more detailed the breakdown of each scene, the more time you will save yourself in the long run.  Although some of these elements will be filled with generic responses, listing them will hold the place for the details to be added later.

Location

Each scene opens with the location bar that includes, the place, interior/exterior, and day part of the scene.   Although they are listed in the script, none of this information will appear in the reports unless it is manually entered.  Most places will host more than one scene;  listing the general location with the specific location and daypart will give additional details that will help determine how many days will be needed for that particular area.  By adding these details, it’s easier to group scenes to cut down on was of time and energy.

Construction

Scenes that are filmed on a soundstage or at locations where modifications will need to be done.  Would need to be noted in this category.  Extra time will need to be allotted for the building, setting, and striking the sets.

Electronics

Any special lighting, sound, or gadgets would be listed here.

Set dressing

Unless there are changes due to the script, the first scene will be sufficient to set the standard for the entire project. Any modifications would be needed to be noted and the scenes scheduled accordingly.

Props

Not every prop needs to be listed.  Only the ones that are required by the script or wouldn’t normally be found in the area.

VFX: makeup; digital, sound, mechanical

Visual effects take preplanning and are time-consuming.  Knowing what scenes and the specific effects are required to accurately budget time and resources. 

Characters

Most scriptwriting programs automatically list the speaking characters; however, characters without lines will need to be manually entered or they will not appear on the call sheets. 

Crew

Most crews are set for the entire project and don’t need to be listed.  This section would again be for the unusual or special crew members.

Wardrobe/Makeup/Hair

For continuity, these need to be listed according to the placement in the script timeline not according to the shooting schedule.  By listing them according to which day they represent in the script, it’s easier to coordinate and account for the time needed to make any changes.

Animals/children

Animals and children are unpredictable.  Additional time will need to be added.

 

Anything out of the ordinary that will consume time or resources

Having too many details is better than being caught off guard. 

 

I will be using scenes from my project Never Can Say Good-bye as examples.

 

Scene 8

INT. HIDDEN ROOM: DAY

Michael shines the flashlight around the room. The beam hits the cracked mirror and reflects onto a rocking chair. THE OBSERVER (camera showing the ghost's perspective) WATCHES Michael.  Michael tries to open the window; it's nailed shut.  SHANE SCOTT (A woman in her mid-20's who believes the world is her toy.) WALKS into the doorway.

SHANE

(angrily)

What did you do?  This isn't our house.

MICHAEL

(startled)

Amanda was happy I found it.

Shane nervously walks around. The Observer examines her. She sees her image in the mirror distort and morph; Shane screams and runs out.

 

 

Scene 8 Breakdown

        -

        INT.HIDDEN ROOM: DAY

Character

 

    * Michael

    * Shane

    * The Observer

 

Props

 

    * Flashlight

    * Bellows family pictures

 

Camera

 

    * The camera will represent the ghostly perspective

    * Drone camera

 

Location

 

    * Bellows House

    * Hidden room

    * Afternoon

 

Set Dressing

 

    * Table and chairs

    * Full side bed

    * Dressers

    * Wooden rocking chair

    * Curtains on the windows

    * Bedding

    * Family pictures

    * Needlework project

    * Old book on the nightstand

    * Rag rugs

    * needlepoint   samplers

    * Virgin Mary statue

    * Angel statues

 

Wardrobe

 

    * Women's clothing from the mid to late 1950s

    * DAY ONE

 

Greenery

 

    * Ivy on the outside of the window

 

Sound

 

    * Door creaking

 

Electrics

 

    * Drone camera

 

Crew

 

    * Drone camera operator

Optical FX

 

    * The Distorting image in a mirror

 

Scene 27

INT. LYNNE’S LIVING ROOM: NIGHT

Lynne and Elizabeth pleasantly chat after dinner. 

LYNNE

I only know two ways to end a residue haunting.  Change the energy by cleansing the space or by destroying the anchoring object.

ELIZABETH

What you think there it's residual, but there is actually a spirit.

LYNNE

I'm not sure what happens.  If they are ready to move on everything happens as it should have in the first place.

ELIZABETH

What if she or he wasn't ready.

LYNNE

Most likely limbo.

ELIZABETH

For how long?

Lynne shrugs.

ELIZABETH (CONT.)

Wouldn't it be easier to just move on?

LYNNE

It's not that easy.

ELIZABETH

It is if you let it be. 

(Walking to the window)

It's beautiful here.

LYNNE

(Studying Elizabeth)

This is my favorite spot.

ELIZABETH

I can see why.   

LYNNE

This whole neighborhood used to belong to the Ramsdell family. James wanted Rachael to have the same luxury she had in New Orleans.   The town just grew around it.

ELIZABETH

It must have been beautiful.

LYNNE

It broke Amanda's heart to sell it.  She had wanted the whole estate to become a combination museum and public park.

ELIZABETH

Hard times sometimes force hard decisions.

 

LYNNE

Amanda sold the land to keep the Bellows House.

ELIZABETH

Why? It's just a house.

LYNNE

It's a shrine to Sara Jane and Randolph's love.  That's why Audrey Bellows wanted to destroy it.  Amanda believes Sara Jane and Randolph will incarnate here.

ELIZABETH

Come on. Even if reincarnation was real, how would she know? 

LYNNE

She says she'll know. I believe her.  But they better make it soon.   Last year we nearly lost her to a stroke. 

ELIZABETH

I think I saw her on my way here.  She gave me the shivers.

LYNNE

She's a strong lady.

LYNNE

(Holding up the empty beer bottle) 

Another?

ELIZABETH

(Still looking out the window)

Please.   

Lynne returns to the kitchen. Elizabeth looks at the backyard. It transforms into the original estate.   RACHAEL RAMSDELL APPEARS. The distance between Elizabeth and Rachael vanishes.  Elizabeth becomes transfixed.

LYNNE

(Carrying two more beers)

What's the matter?

Lynne sees Elizabeth transforms into Sara Jane. She drops the bottles. Elizabeth becomes herself.

ELIZABETH

(nervously)

I should go.

LYNNE

I'll walk with you. 

 

 

Scene 27  Breakdown

        -

        INT. LYNNE'S LIVING ROOM: NIGHT

Character

 

    * Elizabeth

    * Lynne

    * Rachael

 

Special FX

 

    * The distance between Rachael and Elizabeth collapses on itself until the women are standing face to face.

    * Backyard transforms into front of Ramsdell house

 

Props

 

    * Beer

 

Set Dressing

 

    * Books

    * Computer printer

    * Fax machine

    * Family pictures

    * Rocking chair

    * Living room furniture

    * Shelves

    * Virgin Mary statue

    * Radio

    * Television

    * Magazines

    * Knitting

 

Greenery

 

    * Grass, trees, shrubs, garden

 

Sound

 

    * Radio playing

 

Location

 

    * Lynne's House

    * Original Ramsdell estate

    * Living room night

 

Wardrobe

 

    * DAY ONE

 

Optical FX

 

    * Elizabeth transforms into Sara Jane

 

In both examples, the scenes have been broken down into their individual elements.  This information will be used to prepare the spreadsheet that will determine the number of shoot days that will be needed to produce Never Can Say Good-bye.

Website

New Film and Television Production Studio

 

Based in Oklahoma, Kaleidoscope Film and Television will be producing and distributing film, television, documentary, and video projects in both domestic and international marketplaces as well as in all current and future distribution platforms. Focusing on entertainment projects based on ethnic, gender, and age diversity, especially for women, Native Americans, and veterans, the studio will produce projects that will reflect the ever-changing and ever-expanding world.

Kaleidoscope Film and Television will combine the best of the old school with modern technologies. Based on the concept originally created by D. W. Griffith, Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, and Douglas Fairbanks with United Artists, Kaleidoscope Film and Television intends to once again pull together the talent of producers, directors, actors, and crew, who want to take back their independence by having more financial and creative control of their careers. However, instead of focusing on only uniting individuals, Kaleidoscope will bring together the independent production companies to create a co-operative that will empower new voices, while producing quality and profitable entertainment.

More of a co-operative than a partnership, Kaleidoscope Film and Television will gather the talents of individuals and production companies together under one banner to create a choir of voices. Currently, it is seeking entertainment professionals, who would like to challenge the industry to become more inclusive.

Website

#filmmaking #productioncompany #televisionproduction #kaleidoscopefilmandtelevision #oklahoma #TheresaChaze

Cosmos Productions Slate of Projects

This is a list of Cosmos Production's current projects. It is by no means complete. This list was created to show the depth and scope of our interests as well as our ability to cross genres and venues. It is our team's intention to produce these and other similar projects, leading up to the formation of a four sound stage studio for low to medium budgeted projects. It is our belief that in the current studio system these demographics are under underestimated and under served. The current trend of focusing on “tent pole” films, which rely heavily on A list talent, has limited the industry's ability to satisfy the audiences and the needs of the growing number of media venues. Their business practices have created vacuum, which no longer satisfies the audiences' needs. Cosmos Productions will gratify the audiences by focusing on common sense budgets that feature both experienced actors with established fan bases, but who don't fit in the the ever changing A list category, and talented newbies, who have yet to make a name for themselves

While most large studios are merely off shoots of huge conglomerates, which used them as tax right offs, Cosmos Productions combines both innovation and creativity with an acute business acumen. In doing so, we will create quality projects that have a ready made market in a cost effective manor, thereby increasing our profitability potential.

Never Can Say Good-bye

Love can be a blessing or the curse that destroys a town.

Comparable to Ghost, The Others, and Dark Shadows

Genre: Paranormal Thriller feature film

Status: ready for pre-production

Have you ever met someone and suddenly felt love or hate? Did you wonder why? What if you had forgotten the reason? Would you want to remember if it could save you life
Elizabeth was asked by her mentor to teach a writing course at a small college. Since she never forgets a kindness, she reluctantly agrees. Arriving in town, she instantly regrets her decision. She wants to run, but she is honor bound to stay. Even as the ghost of a small child begs her to forgive, the memories of another time arouse feelings of hatred that she doesn't understand and cannot control. When she meets Shane, all of their lives are thrown onto a dangerous collision course from which they can neither run, nor can they hide. The question is, "Can they overcome their tragic past or will they be doomed to repeat it?"

Horses and Heroes

Although veterans can't go back and make a brand new start,

they can start from now and make a brand new end.

Comparable: I have not found another show like it.

Genre: Documentary/talk show TV series

Status: ready for pre-production

Horses and Heroes combines the concepts a talk show with that of a documentary, by intertwining the spontaneity of a talk show with the scripted informational aspects of a documentary. It will utilize both interviews and practical demonstrations of horse therapy to give the audience a full understanding of how and why working with the horses help veterans heal. Although Equine Therapy will be the stage, the primary focus will be on the veterans as they sharing what they experienced while they served our country and how those events had a lasting effect on their lives as well as on those who love them.

Operation Home Base

Helping others heals our wounds

Comparable: MASH, The Waltons, and NCIS

Genre: Scripted Drama -Action TV series

Status: ready for pre-production winter 2016

Not all scars show. Not all wounds heal.
Author unknownn
Missing limbs can be replaced by the miracle of modern medicine and technology. They are functional, but not the same. But what of the pain that is unseen yet goes soul deep? These are the wounds that bind us to the past. Some use it as an excuse to hurt others. Some hurt themselves. Yet there are the few who channel their pain into helping others as a way of healing themselves or to pay penance for the harm they caused.
Facing their own demons, veterans and civilians come together to actively make a difference through legal, medical and logistics systems, to help active duty, reserves, and retired military personnel, veterans and their dependents. Their motto is: “We've got your back” What if, in their dedication to help, the founders of Operation Home Base stumble upon an international cover up; putting a target on their backs? Do they shrink in fear or do they “damn the torpedoes” to face the challenge with a “gung-ho” mentality?

Eye of Ra

Envying others murders the best of ourselves.

Comparable: Exorcist and Amityville Horror

Genre: Occult Horror

Status: Spring 2016

All families have natural gifts that they pass down through the generations. Yet these gifts are not always equally shared among family members. Sometimes generations are skipped or given the talents that are more passive than active. Not all gratefully accept their destiny; instead, they choose to steal what belongs to others--even if it means murdering their own children.
Katherine was born with the power to control the elements. Her whistle called the winds. Her tears refreshed the earth. She sees into the realms where fools and angels fear to tread. Yet her daughter Sandra's gift were complimentary—or they should have been. Katherine created life. Sandra had the ability to nurture and heal. She could see their destiny and helps them to release their fears. Instead she envied the talents others. A voice from the dark void asked, “What she would do to have their power. Sandra replied, “Whatever it takes.”

Swamp Rats

Truth heals old wounds.

Comparable: Swamp Rats is to the Magnificent Seven,

what the Magnificent Seven is to the Seven Samurai.

Genre: Action Thriller feature film

Status: treatment and partial script

They rode together. They fought together. They played together. Sometimes they loved together until a lie tore them apart. They were the Swamp Rats. Although the Swamp Rats agree to ride together ride together one last time, the old resentments stand between them. Willie hopes his has enough time to fix fix what he broke by saving by saving the daughter that one of them never knew he had.

The Greatest Treasure

What we value the most is frequently found

in the most unexpected places.

Comparable: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

and Soapdish

Genre: Comedy feature film

Goldie and Glen stand at the altar, preparing to say their "I dos" when Rachael, Glen mother, confesses to an affair that makes them half-siblings. Before Goldie's mother could intervene, her father confirms that Glen could be his son. Crushed and resentful, Goldie leaves her parents and their small resort town behind, vowing never to return. She earns her law degree and makes a life for herself complete among the legal elite. Glen forgives his mother and claims both men as his fathers. He become heir apparent to the jointly owned ski resort called, The Greatest Treasure.
Apparent doesn't necessary mean a sure thing. Forty years later the last surviving partner dies and the ownership of the resort is thrown into question. Goldie is forced to return to fight for her mother's financial rights. If she looses her mother will become a permanent house guest. Instead of a court room, Goldie finds herself, along with Glen and the rest of the town, hunting for the clues, which will lead to ownership of The Greatest Treasure. Thrown together by the common goal, Goldie and Glen with the entire town trailing behind, follow a clue trail that guides them around the mountain trails and into the secrets of their own past.

AWOL (working title)

Losing your past can kill your future

Comparable: The Fugitive and 24

Genre: Action feature film

She wakes up in ICU. The man beside her bed calls her Sharon and claims to be her husband. Instinctively, she knows that is a lie, but no one will listen. Left with no other option, she goes "home" to an apartment and a life she doesn't recognize. As she unravels her true identity, she is forced down a gauntlet of of murder, betrayal, and domestic terrorism. Can she remember who she really is before the target on her back becomes a bullet in back of her head?

Keys the Kingdom

Betrayal lit the fuse of the future

Comparable to a combination of Angels and Demons and

Indiana Jones: The Crystal Skull

Genre: Action Thriller feature film

It started with one man. A man who dishonored his blood oath to God and to his brethren Disgraced, he sought revenge on those who would not listen—those who refused him compassion. His lies gave a King an excuse. The King's decree with Papal assent lit the funeral pyre. Jacques de Molay looked to God for justice. Geoffroi de Charney looked to the future in the faces of his brethren. Three men stood in the crowd. One Knight, One Sergeant. One Chaplin--each was charged with preserving the secrets of the Brotherhood. He watched them until the flames hid them from his mortal sight. He felt no pain for he knew they and others were the future’s bastion of truth. In another time and another place, they all would have justice.

Website