On Set: The Role of a Script Supervisor and Why You Need One on Your Next Production

Robert Moon at his post on set.

Lucky for John McCabe of Videomaker.com, he had the opportunity to interview and discuss the role of a script supervisor with some of the industry's top-notch talent. With input from Robert Moon and Andra Hayes, it becomes abundantly clear why a film set should have a script supervisor on set. Below is a quick snippet of the full article:

Another terms for the role of script supervisor is continuity supervisor, which, although used less often, is a more accurate definition of the role. The script supervisor is the person who takes copious notes on the set, which will find their way to the editor so that post-production runs smoothly. At least, that’s the primary definition of the job. In reality, the script supervisor’s job is to save the director’s ass, and that job begins not during production, but very early in pre-production. And it ends when the film is completed. So, do you need a script supervisor for your production? The short answer is “yes,” but we know that’s not good enough, so here’s the more detailed answer that should help you make the right choice:

Robert Moon, who has worked on more than 40 projects and is currently the script supervisor for MADtv, explains that, “While there are actually many disparate duties a script supervisor performs, the most important one is to work as the on-set editor to ensure the project can be cut with a minimum of mistakes. He or she is the firewall against eye line mismatches, jumped dialogue, and continuity errors from every department. She is often the only advocate for post-production during principal photography and makes sure the editing team gets the material it needs in a way that is easily understandable and digestible.”

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