Industry Jobs | What is a Script Supervisor?

As one of the premier studio production companies in New York, Broadway Stages works to meet the growing needs of the film and TV industry while also focusing on the needs of our community. We provide the industry with a soundstage or location where they shoot their scenes, but they also need a skilled and experienced workforce. In this series, we look at the various jobs that make a production come to life. We hope it provides insight and encourages you to consider a career in the film and TV industry. This week, we look at the role of a script supervisor.

What Is a Script Supervisor?

In our previous Industry Jobs series posts, we have highlighted many of the key roles and departments involved in bringing a director’s vision to life in a film or TV production. When the cameras roll, these many different elements, from photography and lighting, to costumes, props, actors, and more, come together to create the scenes that are pieced together to make the final product. Considering that these detail-rich scenes are often filmed out of order and assembled later by the editing team, it is easy to see how inconsistencies can occur in the final version. You have likely seen or heard about these mistakes — obvious things such as an almost empty glass appearing full in the very next shot within a scene; inconsistencies in an actor’s clothing or hair; noticeable differences in lighting; or distracting holes in the plot. Fortunately, there is key a role that pays attention to these details to ensure the continuity of scenes — the script supervisor. Read on for an overview of this role that is integral to planning in the pre-production stage and keeping everything on track through the production and post-production stages.

What Does a Script Supervisor Do?

The script supervisor is involved in the pre-production stage to break down the script in detail, including noting characters, props, time of day, sounds, and other elements that will be in each scene. They also estimate the time it will take to film each scene, which helps estimate the total time of the production. The script breakdown helps with planning for the departments that will be involved in production.

During the production stage, the script supervisor is on-point to pay attention to every detail of filming. Before scenes are filmed, they make sure all elements of the scene are in place. During filming, they take detailed notes of the characters’ actions, prop condition and placement, lighting, camera lenses used, and much more. They keep track of the timing for each scene, provide the information for the clapperboard (or slate), and maintain the official copy of the script. The script supervisor compiles the information they collected during filming into a production book that is used in post-production to ensure that those putting together the final product can accurately follow the script and avoid continuity mistakes. Read more about the responsibilities of a script supervisor at MasterClass and StudioBinder. Hear firsthand about the role from Script Supervisor Tim Hunt in this Filmmaker Den video series.

How Do I Become a Script Supervisor?

A script supervisor needs to be organized, have good communication skills, and possess a strong attention to detail. As with many jobs in the industry, there is no formal education required for this role, however, attending film school can be helpful. On-set experience, such as being a production assistant, can help one learn how film and TV production works and to develop a network. Read more about qualities a script supervisor should possess and ways to become one at MasterClass, and get resources and firsthand advice from a script supervisor at Careers in Film.

Learn about film and TV industry jobs, training, and more in the Broadway Stages’ Industry Resource Guide. Our guide provides information about industry-focused job posting sites; links to general recruiting sites; job profiles; education and training programs; and state, city, and borough industry information.