Script supervisor

From ArticleWorld

A script supervisor is the member of the film crew who creates reports based on the script which help ensure that the film progresses in a continuous manner so that scenes have consistency. This helps in the planning process of shooting scenes in appropriate order for continuity. The script supervisor also provides information about daily progress in film shooting.

History

Generating numerous reports based on the script, the script supervisor helps enormously in the planning of the wardrobe and environment. This helps the crew members in charge of wardrobes figure out how many sets of a particular costume they need for different scenes to manage continuity.

In production, a script supervisor has a lot of responsibilities including continuity, production reports, slating, scripts, lined scripts, and communication. The script supervisor checks to make sure that everyone on set is using the most current version of the script. Changes in progress are called working scripts and the completed version is called the final script. The different script stages are often distinguished by different colors. Taking copious notes, the script supervisor logs the duration of each take and takes notes on the position of the actors involved, backdrop and set up, location of props, colors, and lighting, important actions taken during the shot, ensuring that continuity in the script is maintained and that there are no discrepancies in costume, action, position, lighting, etc. so that even though shots are often taken out of sequence, they can be assembled together seamlessly. Also interacting hands-on with the second assistant camera operator and the production sound mixer to make sure that all takes match up and that the sound and picture slates go together correctly. The script supervisor is in charge of the lined script, the script showing where each take starts and ends. The production reports that the script supervisor prepares daily represent a log of scene takes, with descriptions, times, and the amount of scenes that remain to be shot.