How to Lock Scene Numbers and Track A/B Scenes in Pre-Production

The Moment the Script Becomes a Schedule#

During the writing phase, scene numbers are fluid. If you add a new scene between Scene 4 and Scene 5, the old Scene 5 simply becomes Scene 6.

But the moment a script is greenlit and moves into pre-production, that fluidity becomes a massive liability. The Assistant Director (AD) has already built a shooting schedule based on those scene numbers. The art department has budgeted props for "Scene 12." If you add a new scene and accidentally push Scene 12 to Scene 13, the entire production schedule collapses.

This is why you must Lock Your Scene Numbers.

The Manual Solution: A/B Scenes and Omissions#

When a script is locked, new rules apply to revisions to ensure the numbering never shifts:

1. Adding a Scene: If you add a scene between locked Scene 4 and Scene 5, the new scene becomes Scene 4A. If you add another, it becomes Scene 4B.
2. Deleting a Scene: If you delete locked Scene 12, you do not renumber the script. Instead, the scene heading remains, followed by the word OMITTED.

Free Giveaway: Pre-Production Lock Checklist#

Before sending your script to the AD for scheduling, verify:

• Have you locked the page numbers?
• Have you locked the scene numbers?
• Are all character names spelled consistently? (No "JOHN" in scene 1 and "JONATHAN" in scene 2).

The Friction Point: Breaking the Budget#

If you are using basic word processors or amateur screenwriting software, locking scenes is a manual nightmare. You have to type "4A" yourself. If you delete a scene, you have to manually type "OMITTED" and ensure you didn't accidentally delete the scene heading itself, which would throw off the AD's scheduling software.

A single manual numbering mistake can literally cost a production thousands of dollars if a crew shows up to shoot a scene that was mislabeled in the breakdown.

The Scriptory Solution: Iron-Clad Production Tracking#

Scriptory is trusted by professionals because its production tools are mathematically bulletproof. It handles the complexities of locked scripts automatically so you can focus on the rewrites.

1. One-Click Scene Locking#

Once your script is ready for the AD, simply click "Lock Script" in Scriptory. The software permanently anchors every scene number and page number in place.

2. Automatic A/B Numbering#

When you are in a locked script and you hit "Enter" to create a new scene heading, Scriptory automatically calculates the correct alphanumeric sequence (e.g., 24A, 24B) without you typing a thing.

3. Smart Omissions#

If you highlight a locked scene and press "Delete", Scriptory automatically replaces the action and dialogue with an industry-standard "OMITTED" tag, preserving the scene number for the scheduling software.

Don't Break the Schedule#

Ensure your script is ready for physical production. Use the tools the professionals use.

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