Film Directing Checklist

http://afronord.tripod.com/film/checklist.html

Director’s Prep

Script Analysis
What is the overall script’s essential emotional tone?
Does the tone shift as the script progresses?
Who is the main character or the character?
What is the central dramatic issue of the script?
Is there both an internal and external level of conflict in this issue?
What is the climax of the script?
What is the theme of the script?
What is the genre of the script?
What are a few points of reference or examples of other movies that are similar to this script’s tone, story, and genre?

Character Analysis
What is each major character’s spine?
What is each major character’s super-objective?
What is each major character’s arc?
What is known from the script about each major character’s background and outside life that motivates their actions in the script?
What is not known from the script but you might imagine about each major character’s background and outside life that would help to motivate their actions in the script?
What are a few points of reference or examples of characters from other movies that are similar to each of this script’s major characters?

Scene by Scene Analysis (Prepare a separate analysis for each major scene.)
What is each scene’s place in the story?
What is each scene’s essential emotional tone? Does the emotional tone shift as the scene progresses? How will this be realized visually in the scene?
Who’s scene is it? How will this be point of view be emphasized in the scene?
What are the objectives of the main characters in each scene? How do these objectives affect the characters behavior in the scene?
Is there both a textual and sub-textual level to the scene? How is the subtext revealed to the audience in the scene?
What is the relationship dynamic of the scene? Do characters come together? Move apart? First come together, then move apart? Is there a power differential in the scene? Does power shift in the scene? How will this be realized visually in the scene through blocking and camera?
What is the dramatic dynamic of the scene? Does one character chase another character in some form? Do the characters fight or confront each other in some way? How will this be realized visually in the scene through blocking and camera?
What is the fulcrum (or climax) of the scene? How will this be emphasized and dramatized in the scene?
Are there other directorial goals of the scene such as exposition, planting, laughs, thrills, scares? If so, how will this be realized? What needs to happen visually to accommodate this? Can this be done without interrupting the flow of the story?

Script Dramatic Breakdown
Beat by beat analysis of the scene. Delineate each major character’s objectives, obstacles, and tactics, at every moment in standard “scored” script form.

Casting Information
Casting breakdown.
Complete text of casting notice including character descriptions and script synopsis. Remember to sell it.

Visual Reference
Still photographs, paintings, or frames from existing movies that are examples of color, lighting, composition, lensing, and production design which will convey the intended emotion, dynamic, or other goal for each distinct moment in the film. These may be compiled separately or worked into the analysis documents.

Story boards
Drawn (or computer generated) visual images representing each shot intended to be seen in the finished film or staged still photos (picture boards) serving the same purpose. The numbering system used in the storyboards should correspond to the diagrams, shot list, and line script.

Diagrams
Overhead views of the location with camera and actor placement, and movement diagramed. The numbering system used in the diagrams should correspond to the storyboards, shot list, and line script.

Pre-production Line Script
Script with planned coverage notated via standard line script format. The numbering system used in the line script should correspond to the storyboards, diagrams, and shot list.

Shot Lists
List all shots planned first in linear order and then in shooting order by day. The numbering system used in the shot list should correspond to the storyboards, diagrams, and line script.