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Ensuring Script Breakdown Accuracy

Justin McDaniel Updated by Justin McDaniel

Whether you're creating a new production or a new episode, our Script Breakdown Tool can extract Scenes, Characters, Script Locations, etc. from a variety of file types. This article will cover the differences between the file types, the data that is extracted, as well as tips, tricks, and recommendations to ensure your breakdown is as accurate as possible.

Note: Currently SyncOnSet supports PDF and FDX (Final Draft) files, as well as Movie Magic Scheduling one-line schedules or any one-liners that are in an Excel/CSV format.

Uploading Scripts in PDF Format

When uploading a PDF, the system will pull in Scene Numbers, Script Locations, and Characters with dialogue. The Script Breakdown Tool reads the text in the script to pull in this information.

For the best script breakdown results:

  • Scene numbers should be in the left and right margins of the script.
  • Start each scene with only the location in the header (ex: EXT. EAST PALO ALTO - DAY).
  • Use a script that is not watermarked or encrypted.

Uploading Scripts in FDX (Final Draft) Format

An FDX file is a native document format for the screenwriting software Final Draft, used for storing scripts for television, movies, and plays. It contains the script's content, formatting, and metadata.

When uploading an FDX file, the system will pull in Scene Numbers, Script Days, Script Locations, and Characters with dialogue. The Script Breakdown Tool uses the metadata in the file to pull in this information.

Pro Tip: Between the two script formats, FDX tends to be a more reliable and accurate format.

Uploading One-liners in Excel/CSV format

A one-line schedule is an abridged version of a film's shooting schedule that lists scenes in shooting order, with each scene condensed to a single horizontal line containing essential information like scene number, description, and page length.

SyncOnSet supports uploading one-line schedules in an Excel/CSV format. When uploading this file, the system will pull in Scene Numbers, Script Days, Script Locations, Scene Descriptions, Characters, BG Characters, and Shoot Dates.

The Script Breakdown Tool uses the column headers in the Excel/CSV file to pull in this information. As such, it is important that your file uses the recommended column headers (see below).

Note: BG Characters that are pulled in from a one-line schedule will be imported into SyncOnSet as Principal Characters. They can be converted into BG after the fact - see Converting a Principal Character to a Background Character for more information.

SyncOnSet is compatible with MMS-exported Excel/CSV files or any Excel/CSV file that includes a Scene Number column. The recommended column headers can be as follows (not case-sensitive):

  • Scene Number (required): scene number, sc number, scene num, scene #, scene, sc #, #, scene ID
  • Script Location: set, place, setting
  • Time of Day: d/n, time of day, tod, time, day/night, day night
  • Interior/Exterior: i/e, int/ext, ext/int, int, ext, interior, exterior
  • Principal Characters: cast members names, cast members, cast, character, characters, principal, main cast
  • Background Characters: background actors names, background actors, background, extra, extras, bg
  • Page Length: page 8ths, page eighths, eighths, length, pages, page count
  • Scene Description: synopsis, description, summary, desc
  • Shoot Date: shoot date, shooting date, date
  • Script Day: script day, day, script date

Generating a One-line Schedule from MMS

One-line schedules can be generated directly from within Movie Magic Scheduling 10 (MMS). To generate the one-line schedule:

  1. Click Reports in the top navigation bar.
  2. Select the One-line Schedule in the sidebar on the left.
  3. Ensure the desired fields are surfaced on the report (see above section for recommended fields)
    1. If the fields need to be adjusted, click the Vertical Ellipsis inline with One-line Schedule in the sidebar on the left, then click Edit. Drag and drop the desired fields from the Available Fields section. Once finished, click Save & Close.
  4. Click Export then click Export Excel.
  5. Enter a filename, select a destination folder on your computer, then click Save.

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