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Script breakdown sheet

One row per scene — I/E, D/N, set, cast, props, wardrobe, SFX, vehicles — with page totals.

A script breakdown sheet puts each scene on one row: I/E, D/N, set, synopsis, pages, cast, extras, props, set dressing, wardrobe, hair & makeup, vehicles, animals, SFX and special equipment. Enter pages in eighths and the total adds up. Upload your script to PDNote and this sheet builds itself.

English Excel — Script breakdown sheet (English)Print · PDF — Script breakdown sheet (English)
한국어 Excel — Script breakdown sheet (한국어)Print · PDF — Script breakdown sheet (한국어)

The Excel file includes Example and Guide sheets next to the blank form. How to fill it in

What's inside

What's inside

  • Production
  • Script version / date
  • Prepared by / department

Preview

  • Scene
  • I/E
  • D/N
  • Set / location
  • Synopsis
  • Pages (1/8)
  • Cast
  • Extras
  • Props
  • Set dressing
  • Wardrobe
  • Hair & makeup
  • Vehicles
  • Animals
  • SFX
  • Special equipment
  • Notes

How to fill it in

What it is for

A script breakdown lists, scene by scene, everything each department needs on one line. The first AD builds it while reading the script; production, art, wardrobe and makeup plan their prep and budget from it, and the schedule and call sheets grow out of it.

When to use it

Build the full breakdown early in pre-production once the script is locked, then update only the changed scenes with each revision. Always note the script version and date at the top so everyone knows which draft it follows.

Field by field

  • Script version / date

    What
    Which draft this breakdown follows
    How
    Copy the version name and date from the script cover. Save a new breakdown with each revision.
    Example
    Draft 3 · 2026-10-20

  • Prepared by / department

    What
    Who made the sheet and their department
    How
    The person to ask questions. If a department keeps its own copy, write that department.
    Example
    Jiho Park, 1st AD · Directing

  • Scene

    What
    Script scene number
    How
    As numbered in the script, in script order. Mark split scenes 7A / 7B, and keep omitted scenes with “omitted” in notes instead of deleting them.
    Example
    7

  • I/E

    What
    Interior (I) or exterior (E)
    How
    Follow the scene heading. For borderline cases such as a car with windows in shot, decide by how it will be shot.
    Example
    I

  • D/N

    What
    Day (D) or night (N)
    How
    Story time. If dawn or dusk matters, add it in notes.
    Example
    D

  • Set / location

    What
    Story location name
    How
    Use the script’s name, spelled the same way every time. Mixing “Cafe” and “Cafe Ondo” splits them apart when scheduling.
    Example
    Cafe Ondo – Interior

  • Synopsis

    What
    What happens in the scene
    How
    One line on who does what. Summarise the action; do not copy dialogue.
    Example
    Minjun starts sitting in the same seat every day

  • Pages (1/8)

    What
    Scene length in script pages
    How
    Count in eighths as a number: 1 3/8 pages is 11. The total divided by 8 gives the page count.
    Example
    11

  • Cast

    What
    Characters who speak or act
    How
    Character names separated by commas. Adding call sheet cast numbers makes the day-out-of-days easier.
    Example
    Sua, Jaehoon, Minjun

  • Extras

    What
    Background people and how many
    How
    Role and head count. Anyone with a line moves up to cast.
    Example
    Customers 6

  • Props

    What
    Objects handled by cast or clearly seen
    How
    Include what the action needs, not only what the script names. Flag breakables and food that need spares.
    Example
    Minjun’s laptop, americano cup

  • Set dressing

    What
    Furniture, decoration and fixtures
    How
    Things nobody handles but that are in shot and must match.
    Example
    Window table for two locked

  • Wardrobe

    What
    Costume per character and its state
    How
    Add the costume number from the costume chart, plus state changes such as wet or torn.
    Example
    Minjun grey knit (3-1)

  • Hair & makeup

    What
    Hair, makeup and special makeup
    How
    Only what differs from normal. Always note continuity items like sweat, wounds or wet hair.
    Example
    Sua wet hair

  • Vehicles

    What
    Vehicles seen on screen
    How
    Picture vehicles only; crew transport does not go here.
    Example
    Delivery scooter 1

  • Animals

    What
    Animals and how many
    How
    Species and count; note in notes whether a handler must come.
    Example
    Cat 1

  • SFX

    What
    Practical effects made on set: rain, smoke, fire, wind
    How
    Name the effect. Flag effects that need the safety lead in notes as well.
    Example
    Rain

  • Special equipment

    What
    Gear beyond the standard package
    How
    Cranes, high-speed cameras, underwater housings — anything that affects budget or schedule.
    Example
    High speed

  • Notes

    What
    Anything the columns above miss
    How
    Short notes on time of day, permits or safety that matter for scheduling.
    Example
    Window seat locked

Tips

  • Mark the script with a colour per department first, then copy into the sheet — fewer missed elements.
  • Name each prop and costume the same way throughout so they group together on department sheets.
  • Fill pages for every scene and check the total against the script length; a big gap means a missing scene.
  • Add things the action needs even if the script does not say so (the umbrella someone opens) so nobody hunts for them on the day.
  • When a revision lands, write the draft name in notes on changed scenes so you know which departments to tell.

Common mistakes

  • Naming the same location differently from scene to scene, so it never gets grouped into one day.
  • Forgetting non-speaking passers-by and customers, leaving the shoot short of extras.
  • Keeping the same costume number across a story-day change, breaking wardrobe continuity.
  • Writing pages as decimals (1.4) so totals and scheduling do not add up.
  • Deleting omitted scenes outright, leaving gaps that no longer match other departments’ lists.

Filled-in example

Filled in for the fictional drama “The Temperature Between Us”. All people, companies and numbers are made up; the Excel file has the same example on its Example sheet.

Script Breakdown Sheet

ProductionThe Temperature Between Us
Script version / dateDraft 3 · 2026-10-20
Prepared by / departmentJiho Park, 1st AD · Directing
SceneI/ED/NSet / locationSynopsisPages (1/8)CastExtrasPropsSet dressingWardrobeHair & makeupVehiclesAnimalsSFXSpecial equipmentNotes
1EDCafe Ondo – ExteriorSua looks up at the sign on her first day2SuaPassers-by 4Sua’s backpack, CV envelope“Ondo” signSua blouse (1-1)NaturalDelivery scooter 1Morning sun · before 08:00
2IDCafe Ondo – InteriorSua’s first shift; owner Jaehoon nags6Sua, JaehoonName tag, store manualCounter · menu boardSua apron (1-2), Jaehoon shirt (2-1)
3IDCafe Ondo – KitchenMontage of Sua’s failed latte art practice3SuaLatte cups 6 (4 for fails), steam pitcher, milkEspresso machineSua apron (1-2), sleeves rolledSteamHigh speedThree time-lapse shots
7IDCafe Ondo – InteriorMinjun starts sitting in the same seat every day11Sua, Jaehoon, MinjunCustomers 6Minjun’s laptop, americano cupWindow table for twoMinjun grey knit (3-1)Minjun glassesWindow seat locked
12ENAlley outside Cafe OndoRainy night; Sua hands Minjun an umbrella5Sua, MinjunClear umbrellas 2Sua trench coat (1-3) wet, Minjun (3-1) wetBoth wet hairCat 1RainCamera craneRain rig · animal handler on set
14IDCafe Ondo – InteriorJaehoon puts Sua in charge of a new menu9Sua, Jaehoon, JieunDraft new menu, tasting cups 3Counter · menu boardSua apron (1-2), Jaehoon (2-2), Jieun cardigan (4-1)
18INCafe Ondo – InteriorSua keeps glancing at Minjun’s empty seat4Sua, JieunClothChairs up on tables · half lightsSua (1-2), Jieun (4-1)Blackout · after closing
Total40
Open the example full size · print

FAQ

When do you make a breakdown?

As soon as the shooting script is ready. The schedule (stripboard), department lists and budget all come from it.

What does 1/8 mean?

Scripts are measured in eighths of a page. 1 3/8 pages = 11; divide the total by 8 for pages.

How does PDNote build it?

Upload the script and AI suggests scene breaks and elements such as locations, cast and props. Confirmed data becomes the scene board, which also feeds call sheets and schedules.

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