Categories and Elements are foundational components in Think Crew that organize and structure your production data. Understanding how they work together is essential for effective scheduling and breakdown management.
What are Categories?
Categories are organizational containers that group similar Elements. Common Categories include:
- Cast: Actors and performers in your production
- Background: Background performers, aka extras
- Props: Items handled or used by actors
- Stunts: Any actions performed by a stunt performer
What are Elements?
Elements are the individual items within Categories. For example:
- In the “Cast” Category: Character names like “John Smith” or “Detective Jones”
- In the “Props” Category: Specific items like “Umbrella” or “Steve’s Briefcase”
How Categories and Elements Work Together
When breaking down a script or creating a schedule:
- Elements are assigned to specific scenes or breakdown items
- Categories help organize these Elements into logical groupings and let departments know who is responsible for that item
- This structure enables filtering, sorting, and reporting by Category or Element
- Scheduled Elements appear on strips in your production boards
Category and Element Properties
- Elements can be linked to each other through element linking
Understanding these fundamentals will help you build an organized production system in Think Crew and create more efficient breakdowns and schedules.