A professional shooting schedule is more than just a list of scenes; it is a detailed guide that informs every department of what they are required to have ready on any given day. There are three primary types of schedules used on a production, each serving a specific purpose.
1. The Shooting Schedule
The shooting schedule is a very detailed, day-by-day information sheet given to the crew before shooting, usually at a final production meeting. This schedule is gleaned from location decisions and informs all departments about gear, props, extras, costumes, vehicles, and set dressing needed for each day. It is typically kept in script order so that it doesn't have to be revised every time there is a schedule change, acting as a constant reference point for every scene.
2. The One-Line Schedule (Stripboard)
The one-line schedule is a concise, visual guide for the shooting plan. It is often visualized as a stripboard, detailing each day's work by listing:
- Scene number
- Page count
- Short descriptor of the scene
- Required cast
- Day/Night and Location/Stage indicators
The strips are color-coded (White for day interiors, Yellow for day exteriors, Blue for night exteriors, and Green for night interiors) so the team can quickly see the plan. Unlike the shooting schedule, the one-line schedule is in shooting order, not script order.
3. The Day Out Of Days (DOOD)
The Day Out Of Days (DOOD) is a graphic depiction of what cast members are required for each shooting day. It tracks when actors start work, when they are on hold, and when they finish their contract. This document is essential for production offices to manage talent availability and avoid scheduling conflicts.
Differences in Film vs. Television
In television, a day of shooting covers many more pages of a script than in feature films. A television show may schedule 6-8 pages to be shot in a day, whereas a feature film schedule usually allows for 1-3 pages per day. This is because theatrical films are projected on large screens where detail is more critical, and television series have much more limited time to shoot an episode (typically 7-10 days).
Whether shooting for 25 days or over 100, the genesis of every schedule is the breakdown sheet. Without this foundation, the entire production plan is at risk.