Script Supervisor
December 15 - 10am-6pm
Maggie Thomas - Script Supervisor
What is continuity in film? Why do you need a Script Supervisor? The wardrobe person takes care of which hand an actor uses for their bag, the set dresser takes care of whether the windows are open or closed, props takes care of how much wine there is in a glass, and the camera operator cares about axis. So what does this person who stands close to the centre of action do? How do we tell a story on film? What are the practicalities of creating the pieces that will become a film under the guide of the editor?The workshop examines the practical responsibilities of the Script Supervisor, including the Script Timing, the Editor's Continuity Notes, the Daily Log, the Slate, the Production Report, and the Lined Script. The workshop will go on to show how it is possible to achieve the supreme knowledge of the script to justify the title 'Script Supervisor'.
There will be a hands-on exercises using a script that the participants will be asked to read before hand. The participants will also be asked to bring a stop watch as well.
Prerequisite:
None
Background on the Instructor
Maggie began developing workshops when she was a wardrobe set supervisor in Toronto. Her reasoning was that when new people joined her on the set she did not want to have to teach them the basics or worry about how they were conducting themselves on set or with the actors.
In 1988 she changed careers within the industry and took a course to become Script Supervisor. Then, in 1989 she moved to Nova Scotia where the film industry was beginning to take off. In the early days of the union local, it became obvious that there was a need to train new people in the industry because new people on set were an embarrassment to the union and even a safety hazard.
At the least the union wanted to instil a sense of professionalism amongst all its members. So, with the help of many, but principally Bob Petre from Newfoundland, who was doing the same thing over on the island, Maggie developed a Set Etiquette Workshop.
Four years ago the Executive of IATSE Local 849 agreed that it was important to make the workshop more approachable and entertaining. As a result a video was produced that visited a set and showed a crew at work.
Maggie continues to work in the industry as a Script Supervisor. Most recently she worked on Poor Boy's Game, a boxing story set in Halifax and Pushing Up Daisies a black comedy also set in Nova Soctia about an unusual funeral director and a love affair.
