Episodic Script-to-Production Decoder
Convert TV scripts into production breakdowns with scheduling and budget estimates
What You Can Do
Extract actionable production data from TV scripts to create detailed breakdowns covering locations, cast requirements, effects, stunts, and scheduling implications. Identify budget red flags and logistical conflicts before they impact your season, then communicate clear directorial vision and department-specific requirements to your crew. Optimize multi-episode execution by comparing scripts for resource bottlenecks and pacing problems across your season.
Features
converts page-to-screen details into locations, cast, effects, and stunts inventories
calculates episode complexity and identifies schedule conflicts across your season
flags high-cost elements (VFX, stunts, locations, specialty departments) early
details crew, equipment, and department needs by episode
articulates directorial vision and visual language consistency for department heads
compares episodes to identify scheduling bottlenecks and resource constraints
generates location scout, VFX pre-vis, and specialty department prep lists
Example Output
Episode 3 Production Breakdown:
Shoot Days: 8 days (high complexity)
Locations: Downtown warehouse (3 days), suburban home interior (2 days), hospital hallway set (2 days), parking garage (1 day)
Cast Requirements: Series regulars (7), guest stars (3), background (12-15 per day)
Budget Red Flags:
- Practical fire sequences (stunt coordination + safety officer required)
- VFX: police helicopter flyby, 15 seconds (pre-vis recommended)
- Specialty: stunt double for main character car crash
Department Prep: Location scout warehouse (check fire codes); VFX pre-vis meeting week of 3/15; stunt coordinator available 4/2-4/3
Creative Direction: Handheld camera during warehouse scenes (tension), steady cam for hospital (clinical precision). Lighting: high-contrast shadows in warehouse, clinical fluorescents in hospital.
What's Included
- SKILL.md instruction file with usage guidelines and workflow:
- Script breakdown template (locations, cast, effects, stunts inventory):
- Shoot day estimation worksheet with complexity scoring:
- Budget red flag checklist by department (VFX, stunts, locations, specialty):
- Season-wide conflict matrix for multi-episode resource planning:
- Department head briefing template (one-page per episode):
- Creative direction checklist (visual language, lighting, camera approach):
Who It's For
- TV directors managing episodic series (8-13 episodes per season)
- Showrunners coordinating multiple episode directors for consistency
- Line producers and UPMs estimating schedules and budgets pre-production
- Production designers identifying standing sets and location requirements
- Post-production supervisors planning VFX and specialty department timelines
- First assistant directors scheduling shoot days within seasonal constraints
Best For
- Initial script-to-production breakdowns for new episodes
- Pre-production scheduling and budget estimation
- Identifying season-wide resource bottlenecks and conflicts
- Briefing department heads on episode-specific creative and technical requirements
- Comparing episode complexity across a season for load-balancing
- Planning location scouts, VFX pre-visualization, and specialty department meetings
- Communicating directorial vision within known production constraints
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