Props Breakdown — How to Make a List of All Props in a Script

StudioBinder allows you to import a script and easily tag props to add to a props breakdown list. We’ll be using the app for our props breakdown tutorial in this article today.

How to create a props breakdown 

Import your script

Once you’ve downloaded the script breakdown software, it’s time to import your screenplay. If you didn’t already use StudioBinder’s screenwriting app to write your script, don’t worry. Our software supports most file types such as Final Draft, PDF, Fountain, and TXT.

For this tutorial, we’ll be breaking down a scene from the 1917 screenplay written by Sam Mendes and Krysty Wilson-Cairns. To import your script, simply click on the “Breakdowns” icon on your project’s overview page.

Next, you’ll be prompted to import your script. Simply click the “Import Script” icon and drag and drop the screenplay file to import it into the app. 

Now that it's imported, it’s time to start breaking it down for any and all props. 

Creating a props breakdown

Read and tag props

All scenes have various visual elements. It is important to understand what a prop is and how it's different from elements like set dressing and wardrobe. 

A prop is any object that a character interacts with during the scene. Set dressing is any object that is a part of the set and is not handled or interacted with by a character. 

In this scene from 1917, the main characters, Schofield and Blake, receive their mission to go into enemy territory and deliver a critical message. Let’s use the SB script breakdown app to tag all of the props in the scene.  

As you read the scene and notice a prop, simply highlight the word. Once highlighted, click the word and a pop up tool box will emerge. 

Here you can select the category under which this word will be tagged. For our script breakdown, we’ll mark “rifles” as a prop. Once selected, click “add element” at the bottom of the tool box. 

Every script element is assigned a different color. “Rifle” is highlighted in the color brown which is used for all props. Continue this process for the entire script to properly mark every prop. 

Once every prop is tagged, you can find a complete list of the props on the left hand side of the screen under “Scene Elements.” Simply click the drop down menu of the “Props” list to find the full list of tagged props. 

If you are taking on the role of production designer or prop master, you will want to share or print this prop list to have on set and hand out to your department of prop runners and makers. 

To share and print a full page props breakdown list simply head back to your project’s overview and click the “Elements icon”.

This will bring up a list of different script elements. Click the “Props” icon.

This will bring up the complete list of props that are tagged in your screenplay. You can rearrange, combine, and organize the prop list here. You can also print the props breakdown here to bring on set. Or you can collaborate and share it digitally through the StudioBinder app.

Props are an incredibly important element to any film production. The last thing a director or production designer wants to hear is that a necessary prop is missing or was overlooked.

Avoid this situation by breaking down the screenplay for every prop. Keep this props list organized and handy and the props department will be running smoothly. 

UP NEXT

A Complete Guide to Script Breakdowns

Breaking down a script for props is incredibly important. However, there are quite a few other story elements that can benefit from a script breakdown. In our next article, we analyze the best way to break down a script for elements like props, wardrobe, set dressing, and more. 

Up Next: Script Breakdown Guide →