Producing : Ask Me Anything (AMA) 12/1 to 12/2 by Jennifer Carriere

What's one thing screenwriters can do to make your job easier?

Hi Rodriquez! I'd have to say, including the script day / night (aka "story day") in the heading of every scene. Sometimes these are unclear and left open to interpretation. If I see it one way, the Assistant Director sees it another way, the Producer sees it their way, and the Costume Designer sees it yet another way, we spend PRECIOUS prep time sorting this out. It would be great to have the screenwriter make it clear right there in the heading of every scene!

Hi Jennifer, I've been published over 30 times. Been an amazon bestseller 14 times. What I'm primarily known for is my self written self produced and directed feature film Letters to Daniel which tells of my bipolar breakdown, my desperate search for a diagnosis and told through the prism of my friendship with my caregiver and best friend as we struggle to "make it" in the industry. It had a highly successful festival run and even won an industry award for Best Original Song. How and where do we get the package we've put together for the limited series version in front of the right people? (note* Green Apple Entertainment is distributing the film and it is doing well, and my sequel memoir just hit #1 on Amazon in the USA, Canada, and Australia.

Hi Jennifer Carriere - thank you so much for sharing your expertise and experience with the Stage 32 community. I’ve always been fascinated by a script supervisor’s multifaceted responsibilities on set but how important is the relationship between a script supervisor and editors when a day’s work moves into post-production?

Hi Sam! As the script supervisor, I do everything I can while shooting to set the editor up for success in post-production. I ask myself what the editor would do if they were shooting the scene live with us. I look at the shoot with post-production in mind. I keep a close eye on coverage to make sure the editor isn't looking for a shot we never got. I take very detailed notes on how the director wants the scene cut: "take 3 of the master is the favorite"; "take 2 of the close-up best for Jimmy crying"; "take 6 of the close-up perfect timing on single tear dropping" or whatever applies to the scene. Once the shoot is done, I'm always available to answer editor questions, even when I've moved on to the next show. I like a warm relationship and open communication lines with post. (And the script supervisor's greatest compliment of all is hearing that the notes led the editor to exactly what the director wanted with an excellent editing roadmap)

Hi Jennifer, thank you for being on Stage 32! Is script supervisor a career you had envisioned ? What qualities or training do you think are necessary to succeed as a script supervisor? That's a lot of questions, I'd love to know more about it :)

Jennifer - thank you for offering your time. I am curious as to the process for readings. In particular, how an actor can make a difference on a line. For example, you might think a line is not that great, but the right actor can make it funny as heck. So, how do you know to keep it in the script early in development?

Hi Jennifer Carriere Between your blog post and IG live, this has been super interesting. When it comes to making changes to a script while on set, how much communication is there between a script supervisor and the screenwriter? OR do you hash any questions you might have before production?

Hi, Jennifer Carriere. Hope you're doing great. Thanks for doing this AMA. Do you think learning about script supervision will help writers write scripts?

Robert Caston That's a fun question! It's so hard to judge when we're close to the work. It's also hard to edit out something we're attached to. I'd ask for feedback (and prepare myself emotionally to be told that something I'm attached to isn't landing for others). I'm also a big fan of putting it out there and testing.

Stephanie Munch I had NO IDEA I'd end up a script supervisor lol! I didn't even really know what a script supervisor was until two years into my film career. When I learned that the script supervisor is a problem-solver and communicator and gets to

1) think like a director and editor (getting full coverage),

2) represent the screenwriter on set (tracking story), and

3) run point for the producer (ensuring we shoot everything correctly, preventing reshoots + tracking shooting efficiency such as how many setups today etc)

I knew I'd struck gold. I put on my script supervisor blinders and went all in getting trained and straight to work.

Jennifer Carriere I've done some Script Supervising in Film School, and it's no easy task, by far! How do you go about keeping track of continuity and reassuring yourself you didn't miss an important beat on set? I'm assuming a lot of it is communicated by the first AD and director in pre-production and rehearsal, but wanted to hear your professional take. Thanks!

@LeonardoRamirez That's such an interesting question! While in prep, when I catch a script inconsistency, I take it straight to the director, producer and screenwriter (there's zero time to lose in a script supervisor's pre-production work, and this must be addressed asap so we're not dealing with an issue on set). While changing the script LIVE on set, there's a judgment spectrum. If it's a couple of words that don't change the meaning/intention of a line of dialogue, I take it to the director (unless you happen to be on a show where the screenwriter is very present, which is WONDERFUL, but often not the case). If it's anything that changes the story... well that's a much bigger deal. This would require both a conversation with the director and the producer, with whom I work closely daily. If there's other filmmaking chaos that happens to be consuming the director's and producer's bandwidth at the moment, I'm reaching out to the screenwriter.

@mauricevaughan That's such a good question. I'll let one of my script supervisor trainees who's also a screenwriter answer: "Not a day that goes by right now where I’m not using my script supervisor training. Either doing actual scripty jobs or since I'm a writer, a screenwriter, it’s helped me so much with my writing. I can do my own breakdowns and everything when I’m finished with a script which kind of helps me solve problems in my writing. So yeah, there’s probably not a day that I’m not doing something with it (script supervisor training)."

@jameswelday It's totally on the script supervisor to keep track of continuity and story beats on set. The Director and AD are absolutely inundated with other things to think about. The script supervisor needs a rock-solid, fail-proof system for keeping track of continuity and story!

Jennifer Carriere Thank you so much for doing this! Script Supervisor is so misunderstood and the role is so critical. When I first started training during the pandemic, I was amazed at how complex the role was. When you take a new job, do you "interview" the director in a way to see if you'll be a good fit together? I'd also love to hear how you feel about all the pushes lately to get trainees and assistants back (in the US). I know there is also an effort to get the script supervisor considered above the line.

Hi Jennifer Carriere thanks for sharing your journey. Do you think there is a specific type of person who both makes a successful script supervisor and who would excel in this field?

Hi Jennifer Carriere! Thank you so much for doing this AMA! Since Stage 32 is an international platform, we talk a lot about how you CAN have a career in entertainment outside of Hollywood. I would love to know, how did you build your career in Georgia? Did you start in LA and move there? How did you make those early connections to establish your career as a script supervisor? Thanks!

Thanks for the great answer, Jennifer Carriere and your script supervisor trainee! This part stood out the most: "I can do my own breakdowns and everything when I’m finished with a script which kind of helps me solve problems in my writing." Those are the reasons I want to learn about script supervision.

Niki H you are absolutely right when you say the Script Supervisor role is both misunderstood, and critical. And I 1000% agree that the script supervisor should be considered above the line. (Being recognized as above the line is what led to my becoming a producer.) As far as interviewing the director, I'm definitely feeling out the vibe during the interview as much as they are. That said, I've worked with directors of every variety, and frankly, it's just always fun to work alongside creative creative people making movies, regardless of whether I see it as a fit.

@rosemondperdue I like to joke that learning script supervising simply requires a pulse and a desire to learn script supervising. Most people would be surprised to learn that many of their existing skill sets transfer well to script supervising!

@emily J I learned in New Orleans! I worked in film for two years without really knowing what a script supervisor was. When I learned of the job, I knew it sounded like what I was looking for. I immediately set about training and started working shorts and low budget features. Before long, other film markets came calling.

Thank you so much for your time, Jennifer, it sounds like something I would absolutely love to do - or at least try!

Some of the answers to other questions are prompting more questions! Jennifer Carriere How do you learn of upcoming productions to apply to ( or better yet, what does that process look like?) and how consistent are your jobs throughout the year?

@mauricevaughan Heck yeah! That is a direct quote from her! I think you should try it!

Stephanie Munch I think you should try it!

Thanks, Jennifer Carriere. I think I'm going to learn more about being a script supervisor. Stage 32 probably has a webinar about it.

Leonardo Ramirez The great thing about finding out about jobs is, on any job you're on, there are 250 other people you've been in the trenches with for weeks or months, that are also headed back out to look for another job soon. These are your cast and crew friends. Ask your cast and crew friends what they have cooking, what they've heard about, and always of course share what you know with them. There's great reciprocity in talking with your cast and crew network about jobs on the horizon. As far as how consistent jobs are throughout the year, it depends entirely on the individual. How much you'd like to stay working (or volunteering or creating your own stuff which always leads to more people in your network and more job opportunities.) Personally, I like to keep my calendar booked either working or volunteering on friends' projects. (Volunteering is especially rewarding and brings me back to my roots.)

That sounds wonderful, Jennifer Carriere Thank you so much! I'm a crazed nut for detail and organization so I'd like to learn more about it.

@leonardoramirez okay you're definitely script supervisor material then :) Much of my day is spent asking myself "what details must I match next?" and working my extremely dependable and fast system.

@mauricevaughan yes indeed, that's what I want to hear! Let me know how I can support you!

Hi Jennifer, Are there any books or films about script supervisors you can recommend? Also, some guy wrote on-line there were only 495 Script Supervisors in the US? That's a typo, right?

Amman Mohammed I love Pat Miller's "Script Supervising & Film Continuity". This book is a classic and made film continuity click for me! As for the figure you quoted above, I couldn't say, but I know there's a need for qualified script supervisors in many markets. There aren't enough to go around.

Thanks for the offer, Jennifer Carriere. Are you teaching any webinars on script supervision?

Hi, Jennifer -- I seem to recall you're going to be doing a webinar (?) but lost any info I had on that. Details PLEASE???! I wanted to ask if you will be giving advice on how to hire a script supervisor? THANKS!

Maurice Vaughan @MaeveThunderChild I will be doing a live webinar soon!

Sign up here to find out as soon as I announce it:

https://www.scriptsupervisorceo.com/

Thanks, Jennifer Carriere! I'll look out for the webinar.

Great! I'll see you then!

Signed up, Jennifer Carriere -- THANKS!

Absolutely my pleasure!

Hi Jennifer, thank you so much for sharing your expertise with the community! I'd love to know your system for excelling as a Script Supervisor.

Thank you Jennifer for joining us!! Very curious, are there any common mistakes you have found writers make in your experience to try to avoid?

@SamMannetti I'd love to share it with you! I developed a system for maximum speed, accuracy, and fun. That will take a little longer to share than I can post here, but broadly speaking, I'd encourage anyone whose interest is piqued to train for the job, then swallow the fear and get onto a short film set or low budget feature and start practicing. These lower-stakes environments are great for new script supervisors to get the steps locked in, get some mistakes out of the way (we learn so much from our mistakes) and start building a network, credits, and referrals.

@GigiRaines The biggest headaches for me are story inconsistencies that somehow slip through. Taking precious time to sort these out between the script supervisor, screenwriter, AD, director, producer, actors... it's just a drag on the script supervisor's already too-limited prep time.

Hi Jennifer, thanks for sharing your success story. I’m curious if you belong to IATSE ? I am a Screenwriter and SAGe Actor living in Alabama, have worked on many sets in Mobile, NOLA, Baton Rouge, and a few in Atlanta, had several shorts I wrote produced. I attended a couple of IATSE recruiting events in the Mobile area a few years back and considered joining with an eye toward script supervision. The regional chapter didn’t really have a script supervision division so they referred me to a different chapter that did. When I discussed my ambition with them, they asked if I had script supervision experience. Not formally recognized as such was my answer. They said you can’t join, basically, if you aren’t one you can’t become one. The other Union disciplines have apprentice type opportunities but not SS. Wondered what you encountered.

@JackTeague This is by no means insurmountable! You simply need some formal training as a script supervisor and to start script supervising on shorts and lower budget features to build credits and experience, then have the same conversation again with the union. I did this in order to become an IATSE Local 161 script supervisor. I racked up credits, experience, and referrals, and started the conversation with the union early. As soon as they determined that I met their requirements, I was able to join.

Thanks Jennifer! Really appreciate you sharing!

@sammannetti Thank you Sam! It was absolutely my pleasure!