Producing : Ask Me Anything 2/3 - 2/4: Bring me all your Script Supervisor questions! by Jennifer Carriere

Hey, Jen! Thanks so much for doing the AMA! For people who don't know, could you (briefly lol) tell us why a script supervisor's job is SO CRUCIAL in film and TV, and also what makes it such a great way for people to work their way up in the industry?

Hi Emily! The Script Supervisor makes sure we shoot everything correctly, preventing reshoots and embarrassing film flubs. We break the script down for shooting out of continuity during prep, supervise continuity across all departments, track story for the screenwriter during the shoot, work with actors on performance matching, keep the director straight on story and coverage, track shooting progress for production, and make sure the editor has what they need in post. I hope I didn't leave anything out!

Thanks for having an AMA, Jennifer Carriere. Have you -- being a Script Supervisor -- ever caught problems in a script that halted production?

Hi Maurice! Love this question. THANKFULLY we have our prep time to catch script inconsistencies BEFORE we get to set and have a major, production-halting problem! That's why it's so important to deep dive into the script as soon as you're hired as a script supervisor. I recommend reading the script a couple of times to get familiar with it, then do your continuity breakdown, where we're able to catch those script inconsistencies and bring them up so they can be revised ahead of time.

Hi Jennifer! I'd love to hear your preferences in regard to paper/pencil and digital options. (Scripte, Scriptation, Skarratt, etc) Do you line your scripts with one thing and everything else with another? Also, are you seeing more assistants or apprentices being allowed/encouraged yet or is that still a battle?

Hi Niki! When I started out, I was paper/pencil for a couple of years, then transitioned to ScriptE. A couple of my trainees tried Skarratt's software soon after completing training and loved it. I still script supervise certain shows "old school" with paper and pencil. When I'm in digital mode using ScriptE, I do everything, including lining the pages and creating the daily notes, right in the software.

As for assistants and apprentices, this still seems to be a battle. I've tried to get people onto set to shadow as well, and am met with pushback.

Thanks for the answer and advice, Jennifer Carriere.

Any time Maurice!