Movie scenes should flow seamlessly with no obvious changes in wardrobe, set pieces or any other visual disruptions. Admittedly, these continuity mistakes would have to be glaring for me to notice. But I know people with an uncanny ability to notice the slightest difference: the way a neck scarf is tied, a coat buttoned or unbuttoned, a misplaced couch pillow on a couch, basically anything that is missing or added from one scene to another.
On two occasions, I have been recruited as a continuity supervisor otherwise known as a “scripty” with no background or experience in the discipline. Both instances were short films with every production detail you’d find on a feature length. On the first film, I signed up as a volunteer with the intent of filling any assigned duty. The entire crew had flown in from Seattle to the Amityville set location on Long Island. They had limited time to film and were ready to roll. When I was asked to be a script supervisor I said, “Sure.” Little did I realize one of the most important aspects of filming would be relegated to yours truly. I also had a small acting role, and, honestly, I was more focused on performing than being a script supervisor.
The Seattle film crew were kind and professional. The assistant director encouraged me not to worry about the “scripty” responsibilities and that I’d do fine. He informed me that my main job was to time every take and write them down in a log. Well, I could manage that one, right? In hindsight, I believe I was doing more acting behind the scenes than I did in front of the camera. I was acting like I knew my job as a script supervisor. But, what I didn’t pay attention to were details of where props were placed from scene to scene. It’s just not my strength. I’m an abstract thinker, a storyteller. Nowadays, a click of a smart phone camera would record those details so they could be replicated for the next scene if anything was out of place. At the time, we had cell phones, but mine didn’t have a camera worth using, i.e. a flip top with a camera I rarely employed. So my eyes were the camera, and I’m grateful that there was other eyes making sure the props were in place. I focused on the scene timing, logging, and soaking in every movement of the technicians. I learned how important lighting was, and I admire the masters of lighting techniques to this day. Throughout the filming, I was more like a sponge soaking up all the elements around me. Filmmaking is tedious work and requires the patience of a saint from everyone on board.
I’ve since discovered the importance of a continuity supervisor or “scripty.” Looking back, I feel like I was an imposter on the two sets. Of course, I was recruited in both instances so I’m only partly to blame. I wanted to be useful to the production. Now, I know that the script supervisor must track EVERYTHING that is set up in a scene. And that includes actions! If the director retakes a scene, the actor has to use the same blocking. I should have studied the script breakdown before filming. In hindsight, the only thing I accomplished was numbering the scenes via the slate info and recording the length of each take. My activities were the absolute bare minimum of what a professional would accomplish.
My second stint was pretty much a disaster. I had little to no interaction with the actual filming. I was on the sidelines simply timing scenes, but at a distance. If I hadn’t had the experience with the first project, where I was taken under the wing of the associate director, I would’ve been totally lost in the second film. The assistant director, in this instance, was distant and unapproachable for the most part. If I were the director, I would have fired myself as a script supervisor.
Apparently, finding continuity errors is like a sporting event for some movie watchers on the hunt. There’s even a website, www.moviemistakes.com for those wanting the details of these errors in a world where nothing is perfect. Unless you made a sequential movie all in one take, there’s bound to be mistakes, even with an expert eye at the helm throughout the filming.
I come away from my crash course as a “scripty” understanding that no role on a film set can be taken lightly. Behind-the-scenes professionals are worth more than their salaries because they get the job done efficiently and expertly. I would have served well as a production assistant running errands. But I’m grateful for the “scripty” experience. My lesson was invaluable. Everyone plays a role!