Yes. A "shooting script" is used here in the states. and it is exactly as
you say - a script with scene numbers. Rarely does it contain actual
shots, camera angles or moves. That is done on the "découpage technique"
often called the "shot list" - a storyboard without the drawings.

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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)

Thank you moderator!
So do you use the expression "découpage technique" as well in the US?

No. We call it a shot list.

I think the only French expression we use here in the
states is "Noir". Some film students still talk about
"Mise-en-scene", but I never hear pros use it.

All this brought me to a more fundamental question.
I learned that, when screenwriting, it was better to differenciate scenes according to the unity of action rather than unity of location and time.

But when preparing the shooting, I feel that it's more practical to make scenes according to the unity of location. Is there such a difference between the screenplay and the shooting script, where the cutting of scenes and scene numbers change?

Yours

If I understand that right I would say Unity of location is more important as a character running from inside to outside might in the production sense be running from a studio set to a desert on another continent. Shooting them both in the same day is impractical but shooting everything on that location at the same time, even if it means shooting out of order can save a lot of time and money even if it is harder for the cast and crew to keep things straight and consistant.

If all of the scenes are shot in or around the same location, however, I would think unitiy of action might work better. It could mean moving a bunch of lights and stuff though, translating into a slower pace.

RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA

Hey RJ

My question was more about whether there are changes between the final draft and the shooting script for shooting convenience (in respect of what you said).

Thnx

I believe the shooting script must be oriented around location for the same reasons I mentioned. The version sent out to interest buyers, agents, and actors, the one made to read smoothly, should probably orient around the action so that it is as readable as possible.

Almost all of the scripts posted on the web, and all the screenwriting programs seem to generate, shooting script format so I could be wrong.

RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA

So no one's really sure about that here?

I wondered because from the start I believed a screenplay had always the same "format" from the first draft to the shooting.

Maybe it's an old way and new way thing...

Thank you anyway

I'm sure.

The screenplays format doesn't change. A "shooting" script has scene
numbers, but the format doesn't change.

=============================================
The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)

William Goldman goes into some depth on how he writes differently than most. Most non-shooting scripts, in his opinion are written in a slightly different format that avoids Scene Headers as a way to improve the flow.

Having said that I've seen pretty much no examples of what he was talking about. Screenplay software and examples always seem to have the Scene Headers.

RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA

I think I didn't make myself clear. I didn't meant "format" (text layout) actually.

Let's say there's a discussion going on between two characters (that makes ONE unity of action). Both move from a garage to the street, then to a park, while they have this discussion.

We have 1 action and 3 locations.
I wonder if the final draft script would have just ONE scene (so one numbered scene header),
and the shooting script 3 scenes (3 scene headers for each location).

I guess the answer is "yes" but I want to be sure.
Thanks a lot for coping with my oversea obstinacy.

Each scene in numbered sequentially

5. INT. GARAGE - DAY

Giggling, they fall on the grass.

This is done to make things more clear in the editing room.

Perhaps there are several scenes where Bob and Sally cross the
street, These will all be shot at the same time - scenes 6, 27, 58
and 112. In the editing room the cutter will know exactly where each
of these crossing the street sequences happen.

I could be wrong but In the USA I believe those three scenes together would be called a sequence. They are still seperate scenes as Certified said.

RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA

Well, then it seems there's not a big difference between the final draft and the shooting script, right?

1 sequence for 1 action. (it seems to be the same in France)
1 scene for 1 location.