Quick question: What shirt did you wear yesterday? If you can’t recall, you might need a script supervisor.

Movies aren’t shot in the order they’re viewed. Instead, scenes are shot in the most efficient order. So days—even weeks—can elapse before a scene that completes an earlier sequence is shot. It is the script supervisor’s job to ensure that all the elements of the two scenes match.

There is the matter of getting all the costumes right, but the script supervisor must also track things like the camera settings, prop placements and even the eye angles of the actors. They must also reset the scene back to its original state when the director wants to do another take.

A script supervisor has several ways of keeping track of things. They take photographs to record the visual elements of a scene and each costume. They also prepare a continuity breakdown and take notes to record vital information. All this will be indispensable when it comes time to edit the film.

The script supervisor is represented by IATSE.

Attention to detail

The job is about knowing what needs to happen to reset or re-establish a scene.

Well-organized

Scenes are reset repeatedly during shooting, so the script supervisor must always have the necessary information at hand.

Patience

A script supervisor often handles multiple queries simultaneously. It’s important to remain calm under pressure.

People skills

The script supervisor interacts with the cast and crew and has to get the job done without being underfoot or disruptive.

Work independently

Script supervisors generally work alone. They typically don’t have assistants who can help keep track of details.

A script supervisor needs a keen eye and the ability to work independently. Often, this is a one-person department. They work closely with the director to ensure that the shoot is smooth and efficient. It’s a challenging job that demands the utmost organization.