1. Map the decisions and handoffs
Write down the intended delivery, the shoot or production period, and the decisions needed before each stage can proceed. Work both backwards from delivery and forwards from the current state. If those two paths do not meet, you have found something to discuss, not a reason to conceal the gap.
Pick a template in Martini that is close to the production. Review its phases with the brief beside you. Keep the useful structure and change anything that represents another kind of project.
2. Name the work and set the dates
Break each phase into tasks that are concrete enough to review. Give each one a start and duration, then check the end date. Martini represents a task as a continuous range, so two separated blocks of work should be described separately if the gap matters.
Add the relevant people and locations where available. Leave unknowns visible instead of inventing precision. For photography, use actual shoot-day tasks and cast assignments when you want to inspect a Day Out of Days view.
On the desk
From a vague line to useful work
Illustrative task breakdown. The durations and dates still come from your production, not this guide.
| Instead of | Ask what the work includes |
|---|---|
| “Prep” | Casting, locations, department prep, tech scout |
| “Post” | Editorial, lock, colour, sound, delivery check |
| “Revisions” | Which review, which change, which next decision? |
No account needed for manual planning. Your project stays in this browser unless you export it or use a connected AI route.