The Number Is the Key
A scene in the breakdown does not store a performer's name. It stores a cast number. Change #4 and every scene that listed #4 now points at whoever holds it. That is why changing a number or a character name goes through a dialog.
Adding Cast
Add Cast Member puts a blank row at the bottom of the list. Import Cast List reads a spreadsheet or PDF and matches on name where it can (see Importing Cast Lists). Most shows get their numbers and characters from the schedule import and add phone numbers and reps by hand.
The List Columns
Hovering any header explains it. The ones that need a word:
| Column | What it holds |
|---|---|
| ID | The cast number. Click it to change it |
| Character / Actor | Click an existing character name to rename it |
| CS Receiver | Who gets the call sheet: the talent, their reps, or both |
| Reps | Agents, managers, lawyers and publicists, as many as the performer has |
| SAG # | Membership number, used on Exhibit G |
| Deal | Daily, Weekly, Flat or Schedule F |
| Age | Adult or a minor bracket. Minor brackets carry the working-hour limits |
| On CS | Whether they are on the selected day's call sheet. Read-only here |
| Avg. HMU | Typical hair and makeup minutes, used to work back from set call |
| Housing / Shuttle / Holding | Company plan only, from Lodging and Transpo |
Changing a Cast Number
Click the number. A Change cast number dialog opens with an empty box and a table of every scene that performer is in, by day. Type the new number. If someone already holds it, the dialog adds them as a displaced row and waits for you to give them a number too. Nothing is written until the whole chain lands somewhere free.
- The up and down arrows move a performer one place in the cast list. The numbers swap to make room
- Swap them appears when two rows are exchanging numbers
- Shift the rest down pushes every displaced performer to the next free number, which is what "insert at 3" usually means
Renaming a Character
Clicking an existing character name opens the same dialog in name mode. The cast list takes the new name, and anything that looks the performer up by number follows it. The dialog also counts where the old name still appears as typed text: scene descriptions, Exhibit Gs, production reports. Renaming leaves those alone, which is what you want for signed paperwork. Filling in a blank name skips the dialog, since that is not a rename.
Reps
The Reps cell opens a small editor. Add as many as the performer has, give each a type, and set "Gets the call sheet" per rep. The first rep is the primary. Reorder them with the arrows. A rep with an email and no phone shows a small hollow ring: they still get the sheet by email, and the ring is there so nobody assumes they were texted too.