Continuity Tracking Skill
Invocation Triggers
Apply this skill when:
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Setting up tracking systems
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Checking consistency
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Managing timeline
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Tracking characters and props
Tracking Systems Overview
Core Tracking Databases
Database Tracks
Character Registry Physical details, knowledge, relationships
Timeline Registry Story chronology, scene timing
Location Registry Settings, geography, descriptions
Prop Registry Important objects, ownership, status
Wardrobe Registry Costume tracking per scene
Character Registry
Template
Character Registry: [SCREENPLAY]
[CHARACTER NAME]
Basic Info
- Full Name: [name]
- First Appearance: Scene [X], Page [Y]
- Age: [range]
- Role: [protagonist/antagonist/supporting]
Physical Description
- Hair: [description]
- Build: [description]
- Distinguishing Features: [list]
- Notes: [production-relevant details]
Wardrobe Log
| Scene | Page | Costume | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Black suit, white shirt | Intro |
| 5 | 12 | Same | Continuous |
| 6 | 15 | Casual jeans, t-shirt | Next day |
Knowledge State
Tracks what character knows at each point:
| By Scene | Knows | Doesn't Know |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Normal life | The conspiracy |
| 10 | Father is alive | Where he is |
| 20 | Location revealed | True identity |
Relationship Map
| Character | Relationship | Evolution |
|---|---|---|
| SARAH | Ex-wife | Hostile → Allied (Sc. 25) |
| JOHN | Partner | Trusted → Betrayed (Sc. 40) |
Arc Tracking
| Act | Internal State | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Distrustful | Refuses help |
| 2 | Opening up | Accepts Sarah's aid |
| 3 | Transformed | Trusts completely |
Timeline Registry
Template
Timeline Registry: [SCREENPLAY]
Story Span
- Begins: [Day 1, Morning]
- Ends: [Day 7, Night]
- Total Duration: [7 days]
Chronological Breakdown
Day 1 (Monday)
| Scene | Time | Location | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morning | Apartment | 2 min |
| 2 | Morning | Street | 1 min |
| 3 | Midday | Office | 5 min |
Day 2 (Tuesday)
| Scene | Time | Location | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Dawn | Rooftop | 3 min |
| 11 | Morning | Hospital | 5 min |
Non-Linear Elements
Flashbacks
| Scene | Present Day | Flashback To | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Day 3 | 10 years ago | Reveal wound |
| 30 | Day 5 | Day 1 (new angle) | Revelation |
Flash-forwards
| Scene | From | To | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Day 1 | Day 7 | Hook |
Time Validation
- No impossible jumps
- Travel times realistic
- Continuous scenes consistent
- Day/night matches headings
Location Registry
Template
Location Registry: [SCREENPLAY]
[LOCATION NAME]
Details
- First Appearance: Scene [X], Page [Y]
- Type: INT / EXT / INT./EXT.
- Real or Fictional: [answer]
- Time Zone: [if relevant]
Description
[Key visual details established in script]
Geography
- Relative to: [other locations]
- Travel time from [X]: [duration]
- Access: [how characters arrive]
Scene Usage
| Scene | Time | Characters Present |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | DAY | Sarah, John |
| 15 | NIGHT | Sarah alone |
| 40 | DAY | Full cast |
Continuity Notes
- [Specific details to maintain]
- [Elements established that must persist]
Prop Registry
Template
Prop Registry: [SCREENPLAY]
[PROP NAME]
Details
- First Appearance: Scene [X], Page [Y]
- Owner: [CHARACTER]
- Significance: [plot/character/thematic]
Tracking
| Scene | Page | Status | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 12 | Introduced | Sarah's pocket | Gift from father |
| 20 | 45 | Used | Office | Opens safe |
| 35 | 78 | Destroyed | Warehouse | Fire |
Related Props
- [Other props connected to this one]
Critical Props List
| Prop | Intro | Status | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Locket | Sc. 5 | Active | Plot key |
| Gun | Sc. 10 | Fired Sc. 50 | Chekhov's gun |
| Letter | Sc. 1 | Destroyed Sc. 40 | Mcguffin |
Continuity Checklist
Per Scene
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Time of day matches heading
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Characters present have reason to be there
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Props present were previously established
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Wardrobe consistent with timeline
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Character knowledge appropriate
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Weather consistent (if established)
Per Sequence
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CONTINUOUS scenes flow correctly
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Time passage makes sense
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Locations reachable in time
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Character positions track
Per Act
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Timeline progresses logically
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Character arcs advance appropriately
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No contradictions with earlier acts
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Subplots maintain consistency
Full Script
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Character registry complete
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Timeline validated
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All props tracked
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Locations consistent
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No orphaned setups (Chekhov's gun)
Common Continuity Errors
Timeline Errors
Error Example Fix
Impossible travel NYC to LA in 2 hours Add time passage
Wrong time of day NIGHT after DAY-CONTINUOUS Correct heading
Seasonal jump Summer to snow, no time Add time marker
Character Errors
Error Example Fix
Wrong knowledge Knows before told Adjust scene order
Wardrobe jump Suit to casual, same time Add scene for change
Location error Character in wrong place Fix or explain
Prop Errors
Error Example Fix
Orphaned setup Gun shown, never used Use or remove
Magic appearance Prop appears, no intro Add introduction
Wrong status Destroyed prop reappears Track status
Quick Validation Commands
Character Check
For each major character:
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List all scenes they appear in
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Verify timeline possibility
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Check knowledge at each point
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Verify wardrobe changes have opportunity
Prop Check
For each significant prop:
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Note introduction scene
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Track every appearance
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Verify final status
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Check for unused setups
Timeline Check
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Build linear timeline
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Plot all scenes
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Verify no impossibilities
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Check flashback consistency