Script Supervision & Continuity for Film & Television - PGCert

This new, tailor-made course is delivered in partnership with the BBC and is designed to thoroughly train participants in becoming a key member of a drama or entertainment production team.

Participants will learn from practical hands-on workshops and through on set and in studio experience on a range of drama and entertainment projects. This will ensure that participants leave the course with the practical experience for starting out in the professional world.

The Script Supervisor’s role is an exciting, varied and demanding job requiring many skills for being part of the production team, working closely with directors and producers, interacting with performers and programme participants, and providing accurate information on location, in the studio gallery and for the edit suite.

COURSE OVERVIEW

The Script Supervisor is a key member of the production team, preparing and providing scripts, running orders, camera cards and information, prior to a rehearsal, recording or shooting day. In the studio, they keep the production team informed through cueing, timings, shotcalling, liaising with presentation, and maintaining an accurate log. They support the director and producer and are responsible for getting live transmission programmes on and off air. On single camera shoots, they are vital for continuity, keeping track of takes, timings, shooting angles, costume and make-up notes and props information essential for the editor.

To do this role, you will need to:
-Be calm and level-headed
-Work well as part of a fast-moving team
-Have exceptional organisational and time-management skills
-Be able to work to a deadline
-Pay close attention to accuracy and detail
-Be an excellent communicator
-Be adaptable to changing circumstances
-Multi-task
-Have a positive attitude
-Cope well under pressure
-Have stamina for long days and hard work

CURRICULUM

This course has been developed due to industry demand and combines practical experience on film shoots with NFTS student directors on fiction films, and in the studio with NFTS Television Entertainment student directors on their entertainment shows, using the recently refurbished 4k multi-camera television studio gallery. There is time for learning to use script packages such as Adobe Story and BBC Scriptwriter, lectures on all aspects of the job involving different genres of programmes, guest speakers and site visits to other television companies and media providers.

The course is three months, based at the NFTS and divided into three sections:

Weeks 1 - 4 Full-time lectures & practical exercises covering studio and film work.

Weeks 5 - 8 On location continuity experience working on two films each

Weeks 9 - 12 Practical experience for studio-based programmes plus additional lectures and site visits.

Specifically students will learn about:
-Script layouts, call sheets, breakdowns, running orders
-Shot lists, storyboards, recording orders, shooting orders
-Setting up a production
-Script packages
-Gallery techniques (e.g. calling shots, running EVS, using a stopwatch)
-Live programmes
-Music programmes (e.g. script styles & methods)
-Bar counting
-Studio drama techniques
-Continuity for film and single camera
-Post production and editing

There will be visiting lecturers, professionals in the industry, talking about their experiences and giving advice on methods and the latest techniques. Also, practical exercises and opportunities to work in the role on other student courses.

NFTS BENEFITS

Course participants will have full access to the NFTS facilities including: Cinema Club, Screen Arts and NFTS Masterclasses.

Visit the Script Supervision & Continuity for Film & Television - PGCert page on the National Film and Television School website for more details!