Script Supervising and Film Continuity

by Pat P. Miller

This definitive handbook explains how a script is transformed into a motion picture or television program. Readers will learn the methodology and craft of the script supervisor, who ensures that the continuity of a film, its logical progression, is coherent.



The book teaches all vital script supervising functions, including how
.prepare, or "break down" a script for shooting
.maintaining screen direction and progression
.matching scenes and shots for editing
.cuing actors
.recording good takes and prints
preparing time and log sheets for editing

This revision of an industry classic has been updated to reflect changes in the film industry in recent years, including the use of electronic media in the script supervisor's tasks. While it is written for the novice script writer, it can serve as a valuable resource for directors, film editors, scriptwriters and cinematographers.

Genres: Film, Nonfiction

236 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those who want a quick intense view of the hardest job on a film set, this book will open your eyes. This job is not for the easily distracted or those who can only manage 8 or less things at a time for 12 hour days.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best, if you know you know.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the only book I've found so far on this subject, and it's showing its age in the typewritten forms and talk of the way film was edited before everyone started working digitally, but it's still totally applicable as a comprehensive source on continuity supervising. I wish it had more examples of more recent scripts, but it was still very helpful with explanations of how to break a script into checklists of assets to track and which details of wardrobe, props, setting and people change from scene to scene. There's also a helpful introduction to the principles of scene coverage and camera angles used for covering dialogue.

More independent filmmakers should appreciate script supervisors, as they can speed up production and save money by preventing scenes from having to be reshot and keeping track of what has been covered. A director gets the most out of a script supervisor by getting them in on pre-production as soon as they have a script, planning coverage, and filling them in with a shot list. Then of course, communicating with the script supervisor when adding experimental shots keeps everyone organized and produces useful notes that make editing go faster later. The more planning your film needs and the more assets you are tracking across multiple scenes, the more you need a script supervisor. This book is an excellent start in learning which details you need to track and how to best assist an editor, director of photographer, and assistant directors. You can adapt the forms to your own production's needs in Google Docs or another spreadsheet program.

[Abhishek Jha]

Good book for knowing the basics. But not up to date with modern digital film making.

[Ana Mock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Increíblemente útil!

[Caitlin Buxbaum · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little dated but still very useful. Easier to read than "Beyond Continuity" IMO.

[Niko Secher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feels dated, rigid and like it was written by someone who's never worked outside of sound stages, but still really good.