01PRE – Script Breakdown & VFX Prep

At this stage the production script should be locked, however its very well likely that revisions are still happening. At this stage the 1st AD has very well likely already done a breakdown. Along with other department heads that have specific interests. VFX is no different we need to breakdown the script and work out exactly how much work needs to be done by VFX to make the film possible.

If this is the first time VFX are doing a script breakdown then its recommended reading the Script Breakdown section for a deep dive into the subject.

If this is the second or third time the VFX is required to breakdown the script, It should hopefully be a much easier process. Essentially you are just trying to establish what the changes are in the latest script revision.

  • What are the changes to the narrative?
  • Are there any additional characters, props, sets, etc that will affect VFX?

Once you have an upto date script breakdown of the latest production script we will have to make sure we have an upto date VFX Bid. The Producer will be locking down each departments budget during pre-production, So its essential they are aware of anything that may change their previous estimations.

Its during this time, that the budget may require for changes to be made to how the VFX is approached or conversely, the script may have to change to accomodate the VFX budget. Its these types of challenges and collobaration that needs to take place during pre-production and can involve many different department heads all working together to solve the same goal. More on this can be found in Shoot Planning.

Once we have our breakdown and bid updated, we need to extract out all the components that are required of VFX.

Assets

We should have a comprehensive list of all the CG assets that will need to be build for the project. We need to be categorizing these assets into two different types:

  • Shoot Dependant Asset
  • Non Dependant Asset

Shoot Dependant Assets rely on the shoot in some way. It can be a digi-double that requires the actor in costume and makeup to be body scanned on during the shoot. It can be an asset that requires measurements and scans of a on-set picture car.

Essentially it relies of data collected during a shoot day, or in some cases leading upto a shoot day. Either way it requires special consideration and allowances by production to ensure its made possible. The asset has a dependancy to something physical.

Non Dependant Assets don’t have physical dependancy specifically to the shoot. They may be generic in nature and information can be supplied without any need for on-set considerations. Examples of this may be something that is build of concept artwork and wont exist as a physical build or perhaps its a generic New York Taxis that will be used for background placement.

Understanding the difference will help make what considerations need to be shared to the other department heads during pre-production planning.

Do any Assets needs to be determine in terms of size for eyelines and composition.

Do any stuffies or similar need to be built ahead of principle photography?

Environments
We should also have a complete list of Envionments that are required to build. Environments similarly to Assets can be categorized into two groups, full CG and Set Extentions.

Full CG Environment, Full CG will live action elements, Set extentions

What considerations are needed for on set?

What’s going to be built and whats going to be CG or DMP env work?

Additional Builds
FX Setups etc

Whats going to be VFX and SFX?

Character integration

R&D tasks

Resource Forcasting

General Show Planning

Risks

Mitigating client concerns

By the end of the breakdown, We should have every VFX aspect itmized and organised into what will affect production and what will not.

A list of questions that need clarify and discussed with the other HODS?

Green screens etc?

Create a list of examples that is extensive and common at this stage.

Kicking off Large builds and R&D tasks