When you make a film, you will likely shoot it out of sequence. As such, mistakes can happen, ruining the audience’s experience. The script supervisor watches the action and makes sure there are no continuity mistakes.
Keep reading to learn what it takes to become a script supervisor. Plus, we also discuss the primary job responsibilities, education and skills needed to do the job, average pay, and more.
What Is a Script Supervisor?
The script supervisor is always on set, typically by the film’s video screen and director. It’s their job to make sure that every shot fits together in the editing room.
Because films are usually shot out of sequence, someone is needed to ensure there are no continuity mistakes. For example, the level of water in a glass needs to remain consistent even as the actor takes sips from it.
As such, the main job of the script supervisor is to ensure a film has no big editing mistakes.
To start, they read the script multiple times and make detailed notes. These notes include notes on locations, characters, props, makeup, and story time.
During filming, they watch the action and make any necessary changes. There’s a lot they must pay attention to, like props, weather, camera lenses, and movement.
They also record every shot, timing each with a stopwatch, and make an estimate of the film’s running time. Furthermore, they make script notes that they pass onto the film editor. These notes and the lined script help the editor understand which shots to use.
What Does a Script Supervisor Do?
| Pre-production | – Read and break down the script – Attend meetings and location recces – Take notes on the actors’ appearance and location – Take photos of the set – Estimate the film’s running time |
| Production | – Watch all blocking and action – Fix continuity mistakes – Time each scene with a stopwatch – Make script notes and share with production |
| Post-production | N/A |
How to Become a Script Supervisor
Essential script supervisor skills:
- Screenplay development
- Strong focus
- Precision
- Patience
- Self-motivated
- Note-taking
- Communication and feedback
- Ability to work under pressure
Being a script supervisor is a challenging job role that requires a lot of focus and patience. To succeed in this role, you will need to learn a variety of skills. For instance, this job is best suited to someone with organizational skills, patience, and an eye for detail.
Unlike other roles, the script supervisor is the only one on set and works alone. As such, you are on your own in this position and need to have a lot of self-motivation.
This job is very technical in nature and requires training. For example, tasks such as timing and breakdown of the script must be learned.
Some people wanting to go into script supervision will get a degree or attend film school. Others take on entry-level roles, work on low-budget films, or work as script supervisor assistants to learn all about the filmmaking process.
The script supervisor position is often the end goal for most people pursuing this role. However, because of the skills you learn, it’s possible to work up to directing and producer positions.
Finding Script Supervisor Jobs
At the start of your career, try your hand at entry-level jobs that will help you gain the skills and experience needed to become a script supervisor. Specifically, look for jobs as production assistants and script supervisor assistants. You’ll find lots of them on film and TV production job sites.
If you’re ready to dive right in and have some education and training completed, look for script supervisor jobs on low-budget film sets. That way, you can learn more about the intricacies of the job through hands-on practice, then work your way up to higher budgets.
Once you have enough experience, you can start to apply for script supervisor work on productions of all sizes.
How Much Money Do Script Supervisors Make?
Minimum pay rate for script supervisors: $43.86/hour
The script supervisor is a head of department position. Although it is typical to find them credited within the camera department, their union is the IATSE.
The above rate is the recommended minimum according to the union. Check out our page on crew rates and you’ll find that there’s some variability in how much script supervisors make based on project type, budget, as well as their own personal experience.