Commercial Shoot Breakdown Assistant
Transform commercial scripts into shot lists, location briefs, and production schedules
What You Can Do
You can feed Claude any commercial script and receive a complete production breakdown that coordinates all departments while respecting budget and timeline constraints. Claude identifies every shot requirement, location need, talent direction, and scheduling opportunity—systematically flagging production challenges and cost-saving strategies that maintain creative impact. This eliminates manual breakdown work and ensures nothing falls through the cracks in compressed pre-production windows.
Features
breaks scripts into individual shots with descriptions, camera angles, and technical requirements
identifies all location types needed, quantities, and must-have features for each shot
creates character breakdowns with performance notes, costume details, and line-by-line direction guidance
sequences scenes by location/setup to minimize turnaround time and maximize efficiency
identifies high-cost elements and suggests cost-equivalent alternatives without creative compromise
lists all crew/department touch points and required approvals at each breakdown stage
identifies footage that can serve multiple purposes (social cuts, international versions, behind-the-scenes)
flags weather dependencies, timing constraints, and technical risks with mitigation strategies
Example Output
Input Script Excerpt: A tech CEO walks through a modern office, picks up a smartphone, and the interface glows with product features
Claude's Breakdown Output:
SHOT LIST
- Shot 1A: Wide establishing — CEO enters glass-walled office (requires: clean windows, modern furniture, 8:00-9:00 AM golden light)
- Shot 2A: Medium close-up — CEO picks up phone (requires: product mockup in working condition, tracking follow shot)
- Shot 3A: Product detail — interface animation on-screen (VFX integration, requires clean product lighting)
LOCATION BRIEF
- Primary: Modern tech office with floor-to-ceiling windows, minimalist furniture
- Size: 2,000 sq ft minimum to accommodate camera crew and lighting
- Backup: Corporate headquarters lobby (already scouted, available Tuesday)
TALENT DIRECTION
- CEO energy: Confident but approachable—think Steve Jobs demo, not Wall Street banker
- Phone interaction: Natural curiosity, not corporate stiffness
- Wardrobe: All-black modern casualwear (no logos competing with product)
PRODUCTION SCHEDULE
- Day 1: All office wide shots and mediums (6 hours), product close-ups (2 hours)
- Day 2: Backup shots, social media variations (4 hours), wrap by 2 PM
What's Included
- SKILL.md instruction file: complete breakdown framework and methodology
- Commercial Breakdown Template: standardized format for script-to-production conversion
- Shot List Checklist: ensures every visual element is captured with technical specs
- Location Requirements Worksheet: inventory of location features, quantity, and backup options
- Talent Direction Brief Template: character performance notes, wardrobe, makeup, and line-by-line guidance
- Production Day Schedule Template: scene-by-scene shooting order optimized for crew efficiency
Who It's For
- Commercial Directors — systematizing breakdown process and communicating requirements clearly to crew
- Production Managers — scheduling shoots efficiently across 1-3 day timelines
- Producers/Line Producers — identifying budget implications and optimizing cost allocation
- Assistant Directors — translating creative vision into crew-ready action plans
- Creative Agency Producers — presenting detailed production plans to clients and stakeholders
Best For
- Deconstructing 30-60 second commercial scripts into actionable production elements
- Optimizing multi-scene shoots to fit compressed 1-3 day timelines
- Identifying cost-saving production alternatives without creative compromise
- Creating talent direction briefs for actors and background performers
- Mapping footage assets for secondary uses (social media, international versions, behind-the-scenes)
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