Picture Car Glossary
picture car breakdown sheet
What is a picture car breakdown sheet?
Updated June 2026 · Revolution Picture Cars
Also called vehicle breakdown, or car breakdown.
A picture car breakdown sheet is a production document, typically prepared by the picture car coordinator during pre-production, that identifies every vehicle needed for each scene in the script.
It lists scene numbers, vehicle descriptions, on-camera usage type (hero, background, stunt, etc.), required dressing, dates needed, and any special notes. The breakdown sheet is the primary planning tool used by the coordinator to source vehicles, budget the department, and build the vehicle shooting schedule in alignment with the overall production schedule.
Example
The sheet lists every scene with a vehicle, what it is, whether it is hero, action, or background, how many multiples, and any stunt requirement. It is what the whole department's sourcing and budget is built from.
Figures are illustrative, chosen to show the mechanics rather than to quote market rates.
Where you'll see it
Prepared by the picture car coordinator in prep, from the script breakdown.
Common mistake
Building the sheet from the script alone. Whether a vehicle is hero, action, or background, and how many multiples it needs, comes from the storyboard and the stunt plan as well.
Related questions
- What is on a picture car breakdown sheet?
- Every scene involving a vehicle, what the vehicle is, its role, how many multiples are needed, and any stunt or effects requirement.
- Who prepares it?
- The picture car coordinator in prep, from the script breakdown, and it is the document the department's sourcing and budget are built from.
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