Tagging for Production
To prepare a script for production, an Assistant Director, Line Producer, Unit Production Manager or other specialist goes through the document to identify and label (“tag”) items that will be needed for shooting and post-production. This process is known as breaking down a script.
In the past, the person breaking down the script used colored pencils to underline items on the physical page – a specific color for (for example) props, another color for special equipment, another color for live special effects. The tagging function in Final Draft allows the user to do this work electronically and in the Final Draft script delivered by the writer(s) and approved by the appropriate personnel. There is no need for a separate program, a separate file or a hard copy of the script.
Tagging for Writers
Because the tagging function is completely customizable – meaning that the user can add and remove any categories he or she wishes and can tag anything in a script as anything – there are many uses for tagging beyond breaking down a script for production. Tagging scenes and characters in various ways may reveal patterns or rhythms in the story that the writer can continue or change.
Some examples:
- Tagging scenes by storyline: A-Story / B-Story / C-Story
- Tagging scenes by function: preparation / action / aftermath
- Tagging scenes by emotional value: sad / happy / confused
- Tagging characters by gender: male / female / pan
- Tagging characters by race: white / black / Asian
- Tagging characters by disposition: enemy / friend / neutral
Tagging can be useful for members of a production crew as well. The director of photography can associate a camera package or lighting design with particular scenes; the production designer can assign a certain look to a group of scenes and another look to another group of scenes; the location manager can indicate what equipment and resources must be available at which sites.
To learn how to tag items in a script read "How do I tag an item in a script?"
For more information on tagging watch the following video: