Script Supervisors are an essential part of any film crew. They are most commonly found beside the director with a stop watch, keeping track of the duration of scenes, notating the coverage each camera set up and checking being the editor’s eyes on set.
The increase in productions in Scotland has highlighted a shortage of Script Supervisors and the lack of a pathway for new talent to develop the skills required to do the role. Training opportunities are limited as the department is most often a department of one person with no assistant or trainee roles available to nurture new talent.
Following consultation with Script Supervisors based in Scotland BECTU Vision created a six-month traineeship for 2 trainees, Cat Napier & Tayler Norris.
Both trainees had a small amount of industry experience which through consultation it had been identified was important as the role involves being in the centre of a filming crew and liaising closely with directors and cast and therefore an existing understanding of crew structure and on-set etiquette would allow the trainees to focus more on learning about the role.
I have a degree in film and television production and worked as a Production Runner for 3 years. I began training as a Script Supervisor in 2016 but had to stop due to disability. During my time away from the industry I did several other jobs that did not bring me the enjoyment film making does. I knew I wanted to continue my training as a Script Supervisor and when I heard about the traineeship, I decided to go for it. Cat Napier
I had not long completed my film degree at Napier University, and soon after I got the opportunity for a few weeks training with a script supervisor, Dolina MacFarlane, on a production called Crime. I knew it was what I wanted to do and had for a while, so after this I went down south to NFTS and completed their Script Supervision course. Upon completing this, I came back to Scotland and I knew that home was where I wanted to start on my career as a Script Supervisor. Tayler Norris
The traineeships began with placements at Scotland’s continuing drama River city working with experienced Script Supervisors. This was an ideal initial placement as it allowed time to learn about the role with established cast, crew and directors and in spaces that were used regularly such as the interior sets and the back lot. Having the post production happening on site also allowed the trainees to learn about the impact of their role and notes on other departments and see footage they had worked on being cut together.
The trainees then went onto shadow on a variety of productions varying in size including Anansi Boys, Molly & Mack, Borderland, Outlander, Six Four and The Scotts. By spending time on several productions, the participants were able to see how different script supervisors worked, how directors and cast interact with the role and different ways to write up notes and liaise with post productions.
I learned the basics of the job – timings, note taking, wrap reports. But I also learned the finer points to the job, how to edit the shots in my head whilst we shoot so I know what needed to be reshot and what can be used, how to speak to the Director and Actors and when to bring up issues. How to communicate with other departments and how the role fits in with the entire crew. Cat Napier
In my role, I assisted the script supervisor with paperwork, learned from working alongside them and then also had days stepping up into the hot seat. Because you don’t have the full responsibility of the role as trainee – it allows time for you to really practice the fundamentals of the role like the paperwork including continuity notes, tramlines and progress reports. I would then fill in as time went on as the script supervisor which gives you great practice and helps your confidence. Tayler Norris
Alongside the placements the trainees attended training courses. Their traineeships began with a 4 day National Film and Television School – Scotland, Introduction to Script Supervising with experienced Script Supervisor, Margaret Graham.
The NFTS course was brilliant. If gave good insight into the role and helped refresh my knowledge before going back onto set. It made the transition back into the role much easier
Margaret’s NFTS course was brilliant and so in depth. I had already completed a 3 month course and I felt like I got much more hands on, current knowledge of the role with her course. It was so helpful and beneficial! The ScriptE course was also very helpful and really well done by Aina. It’s a difficult software to learn, especially for the first time without being on set and over an online course – but it made me feel more confident about using this and gave me the fundamentals to get started using ScriptE.
Throughout the traineeships as they gained more experience both trainees were give then opportunity to work as s the sole script supervisor for 2nd unit filming and also on days when the Script Supervisor was unavailable which gave them great experience.
You learn something new everyday in the role – even now as a working script supervisor I do and will continue to do so in my career. But the traineeship really gave me that confidence and the skills you learn even in regards to how different productions work and set etiquette all go a really long way! Tayler Norris
Since completing the traineeships both trainees have gone on to work on productions as Script Supervisors including both being offered individual blocks on River City where they spent their first placements.
This traineeship has really helped me progress my career. Alongside the excellent training I received from each Script Supervisor it was also a chance to meet other crew and get my name known again, reintroduce myself into the industry. The advice I have received throughout has been invaluable and I feel ready to step out on my own now – Cat Napier This traineeship enabled me to expand my skills and taught me so much about the role of script supervisor – way more than I initially imagined. Not only that, but it helped me gain confidence to go out and do it on my own, and the variety of productions I worked on during this has helped me massively in the start of my career. It also helped me grow my network and contacts and meet amazing people, who I now call friends. Its been one of the best things I have done and I am so glad BECTU Vision gave me the opportunity. Tayler Norris
