Consider Script Supervisors

I am going to be honest, I love my job and I proudly typecast myself as one of those people who get offended by all those cocktail compliments like "I don't know how you do it", "you must be so smart" when invariably at decisive times everything turns all "yeah well, we'd love to have you on board but we didn't make a budget for a scripty" or "we had to cut on some things so we decided we could shoot without one".

When I moved to Hollywood I was shocked at how much, even over there, this type of ignorance on the influence of a script supervisor and what they do or don't do was overruling among recent cinema graduates, the filmmakers of tomorrow. At this point in my career these are the people I relate to on a day to day basis and as they move up the ranks with their instant replays and god complexes I am terrified for the possible future of our craft.

Now award season spun a thought. Why are we not being recognized by any institution?

For someone who's not familiar with what we do, here's how Ana Maria Quintana describes our kind on Cameron Crowe's blog:

First of all and most importantly you need to have total knowledge of the script. You are responsible for breaking it down in every department. Props, wardrobe, make-up, hair, set dressing, time of day, time of the year. 

Once we start production, we are involved in all the rehearsals, set-ups and shooting of the film. We keep detailed notes on the shooting day, scene numbers, take numbers, camera information, lenses and filters. We describe each scene and make notes on each take. All of our notes are given to the Editor to use for his or her assembly, and the Director will later refer to them during his or her cut. The notes will tell them the good takes from the bad, the incomplete from the complete, what each take had that was particularly good or bad, and any other notes that might help distinguish the shooting scene during the editing process. 

During filming, we are responsible for all continuity of the scenes being shot. Since most films are shot out of order, it is up to the Script Supervisor to preserve the continuity at all times, in every department and for every aspect of the film. Everything from make-up, props, wardrobe, hair, time of day, and pace from one scene to another, is under the scrutiny of the Script Supervisor. We must have a full understanding of all camera angles, direction, and progression. This is to make sure that the action cuts together. We must also make sure that nothing is left out from the script, that all the shots the Director wanted and needed are completed. We cue actors during rehearsals and make all changes on the script. During the shooting, we make sure that the actors match their actions with their words, cigarettes, cups, etc. Any movement with their hands or body must match in all the angles at all times. We also prepare a production report for the Producers that shows the scenes shot, the scenes that need to be shot, the screen time shot everyday, page count and set-up count. 

Above all, we must always be present for the Director to make sure the script is available to them, and to make any notes that he or she might give you at a moment’s notice. We observe, we take notes, we report, we are always on, we seldom leave a set. We sometimes play psychiatrist, mom, sister, confidante, or girlfriend. And we are the only one in our department.

I bet you're gasping for air, it's a long quote I know, and it has to be, due to the overwhelming amount of duties we are honored to perform. But nonetheless I think she has left something out.

We are indeed a department of one and as such we are considered among key personnel (the heads of the different departments). Like all keys we are required to make very specific important contributions. We are knowledgable about filmmaking, and passionate (otherwise we wouldn't be able to do the honors trust me) and if allowed we can be instrumental in assisting director and DP in their creative decisions.
I don't mind the bureaucratic part of my job but that is not why I do it. I do it because a script supervisor gets a real chance at being the most rounded breed of filmmaker. Our demanding responsibilities toward the rest of the crew and the integrity of the project make us active players. We are not note takers. Given the director is willing to hear us out we are often asked to have a say in critical stylistic decisions, we have a trained eye for image and we know the script by heart. Sometimes we are able to raise pivotal script issues and are able to help writer and director in changing it for the better.

I believe we do nothing more, but also nothing less, than a DP, an editor, a sound mixer, a costume designer or an art director. We provide as important input for the technical and artistic success of the product. This is often sadly underestimated or worse totally ignored. Especially by our own peers.

Our DP friends, editor friends, sound mixer friends and makeup, hair and art department friends are all recognized by our community every year. We are not. Not even amongst ourselves. It is not an award that defines who you are but it can be a way to be rightfully represented in the film industry.

I believe our value has to be put on the map so that we don't have to be made fools at cocktail parties ever again, hence this award season I want to take a stand.

This year consider us.