2.1 Breaking down a scene
The following activity will allow you to break down a scene for yourself.
Activity 2 Breaking down a scene
Now, imagine you are the line producer. It is your job to take this scene from the movie, Spooks: The Greater Good, and think about it in terms of the various elements it contains.
Download the script here and have a read. For some context, the scene takes place in Moscow. It’s night. Our hero is being chased down by Russian mobsters.
When you've read the script, think about everything that you'd need in order to film the scene. Each element needs to be provided by the corresponding department, for example the props by the props department. Various departments are listed below – use the provided boxes to note which scene elements you'd need their help with.
| Department | Element |
|---|---|
| Stunt department | |
| Art department | |
| Extras agency | |
| Locations department | |
| Props department | |
| Wardrobe department | |
| Special effects | |
| Grip department |
Discussion
Discover how the scene turned out in the video below.
Here are some suggested elements from the script. This is not an exhaustive list so don’t be surprised if some of the elements you identified do not appear.
| Department | Element |
|---|---|
| Stunt department | Will jumping through the window |
| Art department | Special breakaway glass |
| Extras agency | Diners in the restaurant |
| Locations department | Road closure for car screeching off |
| Props department | Drinks in the bar |
| Wardrobe department | Will’s suit |
| Special effects | Wet down/rain effect on the pavement (or more likely it was just raining) |
| Grip department | Camera mounted on the bonnet of the car |
OpenLearn - The Business of Film
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