Keeping a Production Notebook

The production notebook is your all-in-one repository for the project. It organizes preproduction info, it is vital during the production, and it serves as a crucial archive after the production is complete. The production notebook resides with the project’s producer. It is his/her responsibility to assemble it, but it is the responsibility of all crew personnel to provide the materials they are charged with generating, in a timely and professional manner.

A 2" 3-ring binder with plastic tabs is recommended. The production notebook will be turned in at the end of the semester for evaluation and grading by your professor.

**Project producers must also scan all Assumption of Risk, Actor Release, and Documentary Subject Informed Consent/Release Forms for each project and upload as a PDF to the designated drop box on your course Moodle site so that the dept. has an archive of these specific forms.**

Production Notebook Materials

The production notebook is crucial to all projects, be they narrative, experimental, or documentary based, though some of the listed components below will need to be adjusted slightly depending on the form of the project.  Consult your professor for specific instructions and protocols for the production notebook associated with your course:

• Continually updated crew list with contact information for all personnel.
• Locked shooting script or treatment.
• Principal Crew Responsibilities Breakdown.
• Aesthetic Plan and Reference Materials.
• Script breakdowns—aesthetics; locations; props/costumes, equipment; eighths of a page.
• Casting Listing, signed approval by professor before posting.
• Actor Headshots and Audition Information.
• Documentary Subject Leads, Contact Information, and Notes.
• Documentary Interview Questions and Shooting Plans for a Location.
• Location Scouting Stills.
• Shooting Schedule.
• Project Budget, ASP Grant or Crowdfunding Materials for the Project, if relevant. 
• Emergency Medical Forms for ALL crew and fictional cast.
• Assumption of Risk Forms for ALL crew and fictional cast.
• Actor Release Form for ALL fictional cast and extras.
• Documentary Subject Informed Consent and Release Form for all human subjects in documentary projects.
• Certificate of Insurance Requests if applicable.
• Location Release Forms if applicable.
• Permit Request Forms if applicable.
• SAG Agreement Correspondence and Confirmation if applicable .
• Proof of Worker’s Comp Insurance (only applicable if working with SAG; must purchase this).
• Location overheads and lighting setups.
• Shotlists and storyboards.
• Approved written proposal and plan for any potentially Hazardous Shooting Conditions (stunts, weapons, minors, vehicles, water, pyrotechnics, rented equipment or any other normally forbidden activity) signed off on by professor. Failure to do so will result in immediate failure and disciplinary action at the highest college levels.
• Permits.
• Call Sheets signed off by professor BEFORE shoot.
• Camera Reports/ Logs.
• Daily Production Reports
• Documentary Tape Logs/Footage Transcripts.
• Directory of Archival Footage, Stills, or Other Supplemental Material.
• Director’s Footage Logs.
• Revised Script for Editor.
• Editor’s Footage Log.
• Editor’s Notes.
• Notes and samples for composer.
• Composer Release Form.
• Opening Title and Closing Credits Copy Signed off on by professor before picture lock.
• Rights and Clearances Log and any necessary proof of rights/clearances.
• Electronic Press Kit Materials (accessible in digital form for future editing).
• Evidence that copy or digital stream of completed project has been provided to all cast, participants, and crew.