maine film association 2020 preproduction bootcamp ... · a script, screenplay, or teleplay. cold...

Maine Film Association 2020 Preproduction Bootcamp Background Resources

Table of Contents Preproduction Bootcamp Agenda 2

2020 Preproduction Bootcamp Script 3

Preproduction Vocabulary 4

Loglines 6 Logline Prereading 6 Sample Loglines 6

Film Treatments 7 Creating a Dramatic Short Film Treatment 7 Elements of a Strong Film Treatment: 7 Sample Film Treatment 7

Script Breakdown 8 Feature Script Samples 8 Sample Script Breakdown 8 Script Breakdown Color Legend 11 Script Breakdown Sheet Template 12

Shot List Template 14

Cast List Template 15

Shooting Schedule Templates & Samples 16 Stripboard Instructions 16 Stripboard Template 16 Stripboard Sample 17 Stripboard Template Options 17

Sample Short Film Budget 18

Call Sheet Template 21

Additional Helpful Resources 22 Script Writing 22 Script Breakdown 22 Budgeting 22

MFA Preproduction Bootcamp Background Resources 2

2020 Preproduction Bootcamp Agenda Sunday, February 23, 2020 • Maine College of Art

8:30 am Arrive, settle in 9:00 am Crew Call Time: Welcome & Instructions

9:30 am Morning Work Session to: ● Edit script ● Create treatment ● Develop initial pitch

11:00 am First Pitch Session

12:15 pm Working Lunch

12:45 pm Afternoon Orientation

1:15 pm Afternoon Work Session to create: ● Script breakdown ● Shot List ● Production Schedule ● Budget ● Casting call

3:30 pm Final Pitch Session

4:45 pm Q&A & Bootcamp Evaluations

5:00 pm Wrap


2020 Preproduction Bootcamp Script We will be using the following script as the basis for the 2020 Preproduction Bootcamp: It's the Landlord Akira walks in.

AKIRA Wasn’t that the door? Aren't you going to get that?

CODY Shhhh! Come here.

Cody beckons Akira over to a hiding place against the wall.

AKIRA What’s going on? Are you hiding?

CODY Yeah. Just be quiet.

AKIRA Who from? An ex?

CODY It’s the landlord.

AKIRA The landlord? Why do you need to hide from the landlord?

CODY Shhh… We’re behind a litte on rent.

AKIRA How is that possible? I paid you my half.

CODY I know. I just missed a payment or two.

AKIRA You at least have my part, right? Just open the door and pay her some.

CODY I… Uh… Yeah, it’s complicated.

AKIRA I had a feeling about you as a roommate, but things seemed to be going so good.

CODY Yeah, always trust your gut, now shhh!


Preproduction Vocabulary Courtesy of Wikipedia, Vimeo, New York Film Academy, Rice University Film Glossary, Columbia University Film Language Glossary, No Film School, Storyboard Class, PremiumBeat.com Basic Film Shots:

Close Up: A detailed view of a person or object, usually without much context provided. Tight Shot/Tight Framing: Usually in close shots. The mise-en-scène is so carefully balanced and harmonized that the subject photographed has little or no freedom of movement. Medium Shot: A relatively close shot, revealing a moderate amount of detail. A medium shot of a figure generally includes the body from the knees or waist up. Over-the-shoulder Shot: A medium shot, useful in dialogue scenes, in which one actor is photographed head-on from over the shoulder of another actor.

Blocking a Scene: Blocking a scene is simply “working out the details of an actor's moves in relation to the camera.” You can also think of blocking as the choreography of a dance or a ballet: all the elements on the set (actors, extras, vehicles, crew, equipment) should move in perfect harmony with each other.

Call Sheet: The daily call sheet is a filmmaking term for the schedule crafted by the assistant director, using the director's shot list. It is issued to the cast and crew of a film production to inform them of where and when they should report for a particular day of filming.

Casting Call: In the performing arts industry such as theatre, film, or television, a casting (or casting call) is a pre-production process for selecting a certain type of actor, dancer, singer, or extra for a particular role or part in a script, screenplay, or teleplay.

Cold reading: Theatrical cold reading is reading aloud from a script or other text with little or no rehearsal, practice or study in advance. Sometimes also referred to as sight reading, it is a technique used by actors and other performers in theatre, television, and film performance fields.

Film treatment: A film treatment (or simply treatment) is a piece of prose, typically the step between scene cards (index cards) and the first draft of a screenplay for a motion picture, television program, or radio play.

Logline: A log line or logline is a brief (usually one-sentence) summary of a television program, film, or book that states the central conflict of the story, often providing both a synopsis of the story's plot, and an emotional "hook" to stimulate interest. A one-sentence program summary in TV Guide is a log line.

Production budget: A film production budget determines how much money will be spent on the entire film project. It involves the identification and estimation of cost items for each phase of filmmaking (development, pre-production, production, post-production and distribution).

Production schedule: The production schedule is a project plan of how the production budget will be spent over a given timescale, for every phase of a business project.

Script breakdown: A script breakdown is an important filmmaking process that allows you to identify all the script elements needed to prep, schedule, and budget a film production. A breakdown happens at a scene level.


Shot List: A shot list is a full log of all the shots you want to include in your film; essentially it is a checklist filled with minute details that will give your film a sense of direction and efficiency. ... Scene Number + Shot Number help to break down a scene into a certain number of shots.

Pan Shot: A pan shot or panning shot is when you turn the camera on a fixed head. It is a technique where you follow a moving subject, and you can shoot this with a slower shutter speed to create a feeling of speed or action.

Push In Shot: A push in shot is sometimes also referred to as a zoom in shot. The camera physically moves towards the subject in the film, getting closer to them and tightening in on the subject and the scene. This can also be done with certain lenses instead of moving the camera.

Push Out Shot: A push out shot is also called a pull back shot or a zoom out shot. The camera physically moves back, or a special lens does, from the subject. The push out is used to reveal a larger picture for the audience.

Truck Shot: A tracking, or trucking, shot is one in which a camera is mounted on some kind of conveyance (car, ship, airplane, etc.) and films while moving through space. Tracking refers to the practice in studio filmmaking of filming from a wagon set on specially placed lengths of railroad tracks.

Tilting: Tilting is a cinematographic technique in which the camera stays in a fixed position but rotates up/down in a vertical plane. Tilting the camera results in a motion similar to someone raising or lowering their head to look up or down.

Shooting Schedule: A shooting schedule is a project plan of each day's shooting for a film production. It is normally created and managed by the assistant director, who reports to the production manager managing the production schedule. Both schedules represent a timeline stating where and when production resources are used.

Stripboard: A traditional production board, stripboard, or production strip is a filmmaking term for a cardboard or wooden chart displaying color-coded strips of paper, each containing information about a scene in the film's shooting script.


Loglines Logline Prereading

How to Write a Logline that Sells, Writers Store

Sample Loglines THE GODFATHER: The aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine

empire to his reluctant son. FOREST GUMP: Forrest Gump, while not intelligent, has accidentally been present at many historic

moments, but his true love, Jenny Curran, eludes him. REAR WINDOW: A wheelchair bound photographer spies on his neighbours from his apartment window

and becomes convinced one of them has committed murder. APOCALYPSE NOW: During the U.S.-Vietnam War, Captain Willard is sent on a dangerous mission

into Cambodia to assassinate a renegade colonel who has set himself up as a god among a local tribe.

AMERICAN BEAUTY: Lester Burnham, a depressed suburban father in a mid-life crisis, decides to turn

his hectic life around after becoming infatuated with his daughter's attractive friend. WILD STRAWBERRIES: After living a life marked by coldness, an aging professor is forced to confront

the emptiness of his existence.

https://www.writersstore.com/writing-loglines-that-sell/


Film Treatments Creating a Dramatic Short Film Treatment This two-page document should read like a short story and be written in the third person, present tense. It should present the entire story including the ending. Do not write in screenplay form. While it should read like a short story, keep in mind that it is not a short story. It is a film. Write down only what the audience will see and hear.

Elements of a Strong Film Treatment: ● A clear beginning, middle and end. ● The treatment should have a clear theme – a premise that creates the structure of the narrative or a

theme that emerges from the story’s resolution. ● The main idea should be clear – what is the story about? ● Who is the main character and what does he/she want? What is his/her goal? What are the

impediments or obstacles to that goal (dramatic conflict)? ● What are the stakes? What action does the character take? ● How is the conflict resolved? ● How does the character change? What is different at the end of the film?

Sample Film Treatment A Short Film Treatment/Synopsis: The Lunch Date A well-attired and seemingly elegant white matron arrives at Grand Central Station after shopping in New York City. Hurrying through the concourse, she bumps into a well-dressed black man knocking her purse out of her arms, her possessions spilling out all over the floor. Refusing his attempt to help, she quickly picks up her personal effects and runs to her track, only to just miss the train. She checks her purse and finds that here wallet is missing. She seems lost and close to tears.

With time before her next train, she buys a salad with her remaining small change at a nearby cafeteria. She places the salad and her packages at a booth and goes back to the counter for a fork. She returns to discover a homeless black man eating her salad. Indignant, the woman plants herself in the booth and grabs for her salad, but the man refuses to let go. Gathering her courage, she spears a piece of lettuce with her fork and glares at him. When he ignores her, she keeps picking at it, and they share the salad. He walks away, and she prepares to leave, but he reappears, carrying two cups of coffee. He offers her sugar. She smiles and drinks the coffee. This is their “lunch date.”

The woman hears her train being called and gets up to leave. On her way to the platform, she realizes that she has forgotten her packages and rushes back, only to find the homeless man and her packages gone. Pacing back and forth, the woman finally sees that her untouched salad and packages were at the next booth the whole time. Realizing what happened, she grabs the packages and heads for the train, hurrying by a black panhandler. This time she makes the train.


Script Breakdown

Feature Script Samples Never seen a screenplay before? Check out these famous features’ scripts to get an idea of script format. (No need to read every inch of them-- these are just to give you an idea.)

Pulp Fiction The Dark Knight 12 Years a Slave

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1CDtrchPjeLd4ulgFYxXQlmojHk4kWrc0

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1nnEf5JTFFuXdpfCUDwu_cpjSCBdtVoYn

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1v2u2giJ9ZmhWH-ToWUcNV-rzUIxaiuf9


Sample Script Breakdown


Script Breakdown Color Legend Credit: StudioBinder

Type Color Description Script Examples

Cast Red All talent with spoken lines of dialogue. All Main cast in a scene, speaking or not. Don't forget non-speaking characters in the scene.

Extra Silent Yellow Individual Extras that are silent but separate from a group.

1- Bartender, 1- Waitress

Extra Atmosphere Green Extras that are part of a group, also known as BG Background.

10- business people, 8-patients in waiting room

Stunts Orange All possible stunts. "slips on stairs, climbs up tree/ladder, swings on rope, falls off bike"

Special FX Blue Any practical effect that occur on set. Explosion, Fire, Rain, Gunfire, Squibs, Bullet hits, Collapse

Sound FX & Music

Brown All practical sound effects that will be added in post but that actors need to react to in real time. Includes any music playing live on set.

"Elevator dings, Phone rings, Alarm sounds" or music performance.

Vehicles & Animals

Pink All Picture Vehicles / animals listed in script.

remember parked vehicles in driveway that may be required but not identified in script for EXT shots. "family dog, birds outside window, rodents in a cage, fish in bowl"

Props Purple Any props handled by actors or referred to in the script or description.

"They look at the clock. She throws the book. They leave the keys. He fills the dog bowl'

Wardrobe Circle All referenced wardrobe that appear in the script related to action, all needed wardrobe doubles b/c actor gets wet, dirty or bloody.

"He puts on hat, she takes off jacket, he grabs scarf, he changes shoes'

Make-up & Hair Asterisk All referenced make-up special effects. Scars, Blood, Bruises, Prothetics, Aging.

"Her nose is bloody after the fall' - keep bloody nose in all scenes with this actor until the blood is cleaned up

Special Equipment

Box Around Equipment specifically needed to get a shot. Steadicam, Condor, Crane, Dolly, Underwater gear, Slo-mo

Production Notes Underline Any notes production notes needs to be aware of, could be related to scheduling, meals, prep time, etc.

--

Additional Categories (Optional)

Greens TBD Landscape elements, can be real or fake that are added to stage/studio or real location.

Wranglers TBD Usually for animal heavy project


Set Dressing TBD For Production Design heavy projects. Ie. period pieces, fantasy etc.

Weapons TBD Good for an action film.

Horses TBD Good for a western or period piece.

Transportation TBD Good for big crews or complex transpo systems.

Script Breakdown Sheet Template Credit: StudioBinder

BREAKDOWN SHEET:

# Page Count:

Date:

Prod. Company:

Project Title:

Scene #: Scene Name:

INT/EXT: D / N:

Script Page: Location Name:

Description:

CAST (red) STUNTS (orange) EXTRAS/ATMOSPHERE (green)

EXTRAS/SILENT (yellow)


SPECIAL EFFECTS (blue) PROPS (purple) VEHICLE / ANIMALS (pink)

WARDROBE (circle) MAKEUP/HAIR (* asterisk) SOUND EFFECTS & MUSIC (brown)

SPECIAL EQUIPMENT (box around)

PRODUCTION NOTES (underline)


Shot List Template

Camera Shot List Production Title Sheet No. Director Date Location Scene Camera Shot # Shot Size/Angle Movement Notes


Cast List Template Credit: StudioBinder

Cast List

CAST ID CHARACTER NAME ACTOR NAME

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

12


Shooting Schedule Templates & Samples Credit: StudioBinder

Stripboard Instructions

Stripboard Template


Stripboard Sample

Stripboard Template Options These are industry-familiar colors often used in Film Scheduling Software like MovieMagic or StudioBinder.

Daybreak: Marks the end of the shoot day. Often combined with the date, total page count, and total estimated shoot time.


Banner: A "Banner" is a note that you can rename and use as needed. It is often used/renamed as "COMPANY MOVE" or "MEAL BREAK."


Sample Short Film Budget

Production Budget $6,739.29

Total Budget $9,734.22

Spent $0.00

Remaining $9,734.22

Category Specifics Daily Rate Quantity/Days Budget Actual To Do Items / Notes

Production

Cast

Actor SAG $75 2 $178 $50/day deferred, includes P&H

Actor SAG $75 2 $178 $50/day deferred, includes P&H

Actor Non-union $50 2 $100

Actor Non-union $50 2 $100

Cast (total): $556 $0

Above the Line

Director $0 2 $0 Assumes you're directing it yourself, or getting a volunteer.

Producer $0 2 $0

Screenwriter $0 2 $0

ATL Other (total): $0

Above the line total: 14 $556 $0

The LINE

Camera Department

Camea, lenses, lighting, grip truck $500

Cheaper if you can borrow instead of rent.

DP $150 2 $300

1st AC $75 2 $585

2nd AC $75 2 $150

Gaffer $100 2 $525

Key Grip $75 2 $150

Total Camera: 10 $2,210

Art Department

Props, Costumes, Art Materials $500


Production Designer $100 2 $200

Art Asst 1 $75 2 $150

Total Art: 4 $850

Wardrobe

Costume Designer $100 2 $200

Costume Materials $150

Total Wardrobe: $350

Makeup

Makeup $100 2 $200

Total Makeup: $200

Other Crew

Sound Mixer $200 2 $400

AD $0 2 $0

PAs $0 4 $0

On-set photographer $100 1 $100

Other Costs

Location Rental $300

Insurance $500

Permits $75 Cheap in Chicago :)

Drives $99

Misc $200

Total Other: 9 $1,674 $0

Food 2 meals per day $18 50 $900

Below the Line total: $6,184 $0

Post-production

Editing $500

Color and FX $350

Sound design/FX $350

Composer $300

Music Licensing $0


Post-production Total: $1,500 $0

Marketing

Website $110

Advertising $0

Festival submissions $500

VOD Distribution $0

Marketing Total: $610 $0

Thru end of production: $6,739 $0

Thru Distribution $8,849 $0

Contingency $885

Total Budget: $9,734 $0

Remaining: $9,734

Investment & Income

Investment

Your Savings $2,000

Grants $3,000

Crowdfunding $5,000

Investors $0

Total Investment: $10,000

Net: $266

Budget Instructions

Customize the budget numbers and the days needed for each person on set.

The days needed feeds into formula for the food budget, which updates automatically based on $18/day to feed 1 person twice.

Budget Assumptions

A rough $10k budget.

2 days of filming, 12 hours a day.

Using the SAG Short Film Agreement (mixed cast & deferrals allowed).

You are paying most people.

Not a bare-bones production.


Does not include festival travel expenses.


Call Sheet Template


Additional Helpful Resources

Script Writing Seven Basic Steps to Writing a Screen Play Top Box Office Loglines Example How to Write a Logline that Sells Simply Scripts – Screenplay Examples Script Breakdown Script Breakdown 101 Studio Binder Scheduling Template How to Breakdown a Script Budgeting 10K, 100K, 500K Budget Compared Micro budget Feature Production Ultimate Screen Budgeting Guide

https://blog.pond5.com/9419-screenwriting-101-7-basic-steps-to-writing-a-screenplay/

https://www.filmdaily.tv/logline/top-box-office-logline-examples

https://www.writersstore.com/writing-loglines-that-sell/

https://www.simplyscripts.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMep2s_T89c

https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/downloads/film-production-shooting-schedule-template/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=b7vGpeVV91k&feature=emb_logo

https://www.premiumbeat.com/blog/feature-film-budgets-compared/

https://noamkroll.com/the-fundamental-template-for-producing-a-micro-budget-feature-film-today/

https://nofilmschool.com/film-budget-template

maine film association 2020 preproduction bootcamp ... · a script, screenplay, or teleplay. cold...

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