How can you use script analysis to develop a clear vision for your film?

1 Why script analysis matters

Script analysis helps you understand the core of your story and what makes it unique. It also helps you identify the challenges and opportunities that the script presents, such as locations, budget, casting, and special effects. By analyzing the script, you can make informed decisions about how to approach each scene, what to emphasize or omit, and how to create a consistent and coherent tone and style for your film.

2 How to analyze your script

When analyzing a script, one common method is to use the six Ws: who, what, where, when, why, and how. For each scene, character, and overall story, you can ask these questions and document your answers in a document or spreadsheet. For instance, consider the main characters' goals, motivations, and conflicts; the main action or event that drives the story forward; the setting and how it affects the mood; the time period and its influence on context; the theme or message you want to convey; and the techniques or tools you'll use to create the desired effect.

3 How to use storyboards

Storyboards are visual representations of your script, usually drawn as a series of sketches or images that show the key shots and transitions of each scene. Storyboards help you plan your shots, angles, movements, compositions, and editing, and communicate your vision to your crew and collaborators. You can use storyboards to test and refine your ideas, experiment with different options, and solve potential problems before you start filming.

4 How to use mood boards

Mood boards are collections of images, colors, textures, fonts, sounds, or anything else that inspire you and capture the mood, tone, and style of your film. Mood boards help you define your film's identity and personality, and create a consistent and coherent look and feel. You can use mood boards to communicate your vision to your crew and collaborators, especially those involved in art direction, production design, costume, makeup, and music.

5 How to use shot lists

Shot lists are detailed descriptions of each shot that you plan to film, including information such as location, camera angle, movement, lens, focal length, lighting, sound, and duration. Shot lists help you organize your production, schedule your shooting days, allocate your resources, and coordinate your crew and collaborators. You can use shot lists to ensure that you cover all the necessary shots, avoid missing or repeating shots, and optimize your time and budget.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?