What is a Script Coordinator?

My role as a Script Coordinator is becoming more and more established as a key member of the script team, but there's still some uncertainty as to what I actually do. Here, I'll explain fully what I offer, the area of my expertise, and why you might need me on your production.

The THREE KEY AREAS I work in are;

SCRIPT REVISIONS
SCRIPT FORMATTING
SPECIALISED SCRIPT REPORTS (eg; for Apple TV's Hijack, the action takes place in real-time so I provided the minute-by-minute scene timeline. I also developed a document which tracked the location of every character on the plane during every single scene. This was vital for filming and scheduling purposes.)

MAIN DUTIES:

INPUT + FORMAT all revisions
TRACK every version of the script
PREPARE revised script for distribution to cast + crew
PROVIDE a script revisions memo; a detailed document listing every single change to the script for each revised version

ADDITIONAL DUTIES:

Depending on the script and its needs, I can provide spreadsheets/reports on specific story areas that require tracking, e.g story timelines, character movement tracking, character role databases.
I can create scripts specifically for dyslexic cast & crew members; I first did this on Hijack to great success and aim to introduce this for all future productions I work on

WHAT I DO:

Ensure that production has a clean, well-maintained + properly-formatted script that allows for smooth interactions between myself and the writer/director/producers and no issues during filming.

WHAT I DON'T DO:

REWRITES! I receive all creative decisions + story changes from either the writer, director or producers

MY ROLE:

It is my job to ensure that the script is formatted and fit for filming at all times. I receive all revisions from the writer/director/producers/script editor and input these changes into the script. At all times, I should be the ONLY CREW MEMBER in charge of revising and formatting the script.

Unfortunately, this doesn't always happen. More often than not, there are too many people involved with making revisions and everything becomes messy, or those making changes don't know how to format the script or properly use Final Draft.

This is when problems arise.

"The pages don't fit with the previous draft!"

"I've omitted a scene I can't get back!"

"I don't know anything about revisions mode!"

"How do I colour coordinate the revised pages?!"

"We start filming tomorrow and the script's not ready/a horrendous mess!"

Sound familiar? These are common issues and usually at the stage when I receive an urgent phone-call asking me to help fix the script or prepare for production.

COMMON ISSUES + MY SOLUTIONS:

The script is a mess and/or not ready for filming?

If the writer has created a Word document, I can convert it into a Final Draft, locked script. If it hasn’t been formatted correctly in any way, I can amend this. When the script is produced well before filming, I can ensure a smoother, more organised production experience.

The pages weren’t locked?

I can clean up scripts that need the changes included and revisions marked. I will incorporate previous revisions and make the scenes and pages correspond with a tracked, revised copy of the script. This ensures that everyone is working from the exact same version.

Expecting more revisions during filming? Production needs a full-time script coordinator?

More and more now, I am required as a full-time crew member. While before I was mostly required to prepare a script for filming, many productions are now realising the benefits of having a sole person managing the script revisions.

I have become indispensable in the work I do during production; inputting all changes to the shooting script, tracking any and all revisions, and making ready for cast and crew distribution.

I become a vital member of the script department and can work seamlessly as a team with the script editor (or whoever I received the story changes from) and the script supervisor. When the script is well-maintained and cared for during production in this way, it saves time, money and prevents confusion.

My latest projects