Script Supervisors: Unsung Heroes of Film & TV

In the final episode of this series, we discuss all the ways the coffee cup could have ended up on screen, why it most definitely is NOT the fault of the script supervisor, and then learn what really happened.

But first, we talk to  SHARON WATT.  In addition to being one of the Administrators of NYSSN - the New York Script Supervisors Network, Sharon has worked on many Golden Globe and Emmy award-winning films and TV shows such as Boardwalk Empire, The Night Of, Mr. Robot and The Time Traveler’s Wife. Fun fact, Sharon also created our podcast logo!

Hosted, Created & Produced by Caryn Ruby
Produced and Edited by Eden Woolworth
Sound Mixer Adam Carl
Original Music by Edith Mudge

Logo design by Sharon Watt
Episode artwork by Tia Marissa

This episode we hear some fun and fascinating anecdotes about the history of our craft and some ideas about how we can make the future better for the next generation of script supervisors.

But first, we talk to HANNAH DRISCOLL in another in-person interview from before the pandemic. Hannah has been a full time Los Angeles based Script Supervisor since 2015 and has worked on everything from the Emmy-Award Nominated series Pen 15 and Adam Ruins Everything to big-budget commercials for well-known national brands. She has an online course, Script Supervising 101, for beginning script supervisors, and for fun she hosts a podcast called John Wick Deep Dives where she overanalyzes John Wick scenes with film industry professionals.

At our best, script supervisors are filmmakers and key members of the crew – yet the belittling nickname “scripty” remains incredibly pervasive. We discuss where it came from, and why we all should stop using it. 

But first, we talk to Robert Goodwin. He is an incredibly supportive and super helpful member of our community as well as one of the Administrators of LASSN (Los Angeles Script Supervisor’s Network). His credits include the Emmy Award-winning Dark/Web, Disney’s Earth to Ned, and Love Is Not Love which won awards at more than 100 film festivals. We have an enlightening conversation about continuity mismatches on screen and gender roles as related to film crew positions.

Hosted, Created & Produced by Caryn Ruby
Produced and Edited by Eden Woolworth
Sound Mixer Adam Carl
Original Music by Edith Mudge

 Logo design by Sharon Watt
Episode artwork by Ana Ziegler Loes

This episode addresses some of the misconceptions and misunderstandings around joining and the benefits of being in the union. In addition to our usual group of script supervisors sharing their thoughts and experience, this episode features a special guest from Contract Services who lays out exactly what it takes to get qualified for the union roster.

But first, we talk to Shadia Sepehrnia in another in-person pre-pandemic interview. In addition to her experience as Script Supervisor on Tribeca award-winning short series Girls Room written by Lena Waithe and many films, Shadia counts Producing, Directing and Writing among her many talents.

Hosted, Created & Produced by Caryn Ruby
Produced and Edited by Eden Woolworth
Sound Mixer Adam Carl
Original Music by Edith Mudge

Logo design by Sharon Watt
Episode artwork by Ana Ziegler Loes

Sure, you can find script supervisors on all kinds of productions, but what do we do differently depends on the media! Plus - what can producers expect from our department?

But first, we talk to Nick Robinson. With experience in over a dozen departments, filmmaker Nick Robinson’s script supervising credits include commercials starring A-list talent, the SXSW Documentary “For Madmen Only”, and top-tier festival features Bad Turn Worse which went to TIFF, Body at Brighton Rock to SXSW, and Sundance award nominee, Spree.

Hosted, Created & Produced by Caryn Ruby
Produced and Edited by Eden Woolworth
Sound Mixer Adam Carl
Original Music by Edith Mudge

Logo design by Sharon Watt
Episode artwork by Ana Ziegler Loes

In this episode we take a deep dive into negotiating and advocating for yourself. What are the best practices to make sure you’re not getting less than someone else who is just as experienced and skilled? 

But first, an interview with multi-talented Roe Moore that was recorded IN PERSON before the pandemic. Roe scripted on the Fresh Prince of Bel Air Reunion Show, Emmy-award winning RuPaul Drag Race, Sundance Film Festival winner Entertainment and multiple commercials and branded content.She’s a member of the DGA, Local 871, the Television Academy, and the Producer’s guild, Roe also directs film and theater and teaches “Script Supervising Made Easy” online. 

www.roemoore.com, www.scriptsupervisingmadeeasy.com

Hosted, Created & Produced by Caryn Ruby
Produced and Edited by Eden Woolworth
Sound Mixer Adam Carl
Original Music by Edith Mudge

Logo design by Sharon Watt
Episode artwork by Ana Ziegler Loes

This episode digs into the working relationship between script supervisors and actors. Not just the person to shout lines upon request, script supervisors often serve as the Director or Writer’s ambassador in giving (sometimes unwanted) feedback to actors. Listen in for *lots of tips* on how to handle.

But first, we talk to Margery Kimbrough – an absolutely delightful and funny lady who counts Academy Award Nominees and Emmy and Golden Globe Winners such as Harriet, Fear the Walking Dead and The Good Lord Bird, among the dozens of films and TV shows she has scripted. Since 2005 she has also been script supervising for the fellows at the Sundance Directors Lab and occasionally teaches various aspects of Script Supervising through Cinema Workshops. 

Hosted, Created & Produced by Caryn Ruby

Produced and Edited by Eden Woolworth

Sound Mixer Adam Carl

Original Music by Edith Mudge

Logo design by Sharon Watt

Episode artwork by Ana Ziegler Loes

Connecting the shots: Continuity matters

Continuity is so much more than matching cups and hands. You’ll begin to see that in this topic where we take a deep dive into what it means to manage continuity on set. But first, we have an interview with absolute ICON, and hands down the perfect person for this episode, Mary Cybulski.

Mary Cybulski’s impressive credits include multiple Academy Award-winning films Life of Pi, Michael Clayton, Syriana, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Oscar-nominated Kinsey, and The Tempest, as well as cult favorites Eat Pray Love, and To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar. She also wrote one of the most important and oft referred to books on script supervising, “Beyond Continuity: Script Supervision for the Modern Filmmaker.” While she’s no longer actively script supervising, Mary shares her talents on set as a still photographer and is currently working on an update to her widely recognized book.

Buy her book here! And look for the updated version to be released soon!

Hosted, Created & Produced by Caryn Ruby
Produced and Edited by Eden Woolworth
Sound Mixer Adam Carl
Original Music by Edith Mudge

Logo design by Sharon Watt
Episode artwork by Ana Ziegler Loes

Script this, supervise that…what it’s really like being the Script Supervisor
(All of the responsibilities, none of the glory)

In this episode, we take a closer look at what it feels like to be a script supervisor, and how our work on set also helps out in post. Plus, master script supervisor Mary Cybulski shares a revealing BTS story from the film “Life of Pi.” But first, we have an informative interview with the incomparable Dawn Gilliam.

Dawn’s multi-decade Script Supervising career began with Boyz n The Hood and includes groundbreaking and Academy Award-Winning and nominated films such as Black Panther, Fences, Star Wars: Episode IX and literally dozens of films and TV shows you’ve no doubt seen. She has served as President of ITASE Local 871 union for script supervisors, is responsible for getting IMDB to create a new category for Script Supervisors, and has taught the craft of script supervising through her popular online course: The Art of Continuity since 1995. 

 https://www.theartofcontinuity.com
check out her new business venture https://www.datemymakeup.com

Hosted, Created & Produced by Caryn Ruby
Produced and Edited by Eden Woolworth
Sound Mixer Adam Carl
Original Music by Edith Mudge

Logo design by Sharon Watt
Episode artwork by Ana Ziegler Loes

What the heck is a Script Supervisor? 

 Can you describe the job of the script supervisor on a film set? In this first episode of the series, we do our best to define this expansive role - sometimes referred to as Continuity Supervisor, or even just “Continuity” - that is so widely misunderstood. Today’s topic section includes clips from interviews with Randi Feldman, Sharon Watt, Hannah Driscoll, Shadia Sepehrnia, Beatrice Bellino, Mary Cybulski, Barry Caldwell and Toni Crey. 

 But first - an interview with Randi Feldman, one of the most well-known and highly revered teachers of the craft, and long-time champion of the script supervising community.

Randi Feldman has been a member of local 871  for over 25 years, and taught the craft of script supervising at UCLA, AFI, NYFA, and privately for 20 years. Some of the films she worked on as a Script Supervisor include the Oscar Nominated Mighty Joe Young, Rat Race, Bedazzzled, and star-packed Sundance winner, Guinevere. Learn all about Randi’s classes at http://scriptsupervising.com

Hosted, Created & Produced by Caryn Ruby
Produced and Edited by Eden Woolworth
Sound Mixer Adam Carl
Original Music by Edith Mudge

Logo design by Sharon Watt
Episode artwork by Ana Ziegler Loes