Script Supervising and Film Continuity

by Miller; Pat P

• ISBN13: 9780240802947
• ISBN10: 0240802942
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 1998-12-29
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

This definitive handbook explains how a script is transformed into a motion picture or television program. Readers will learn the methodology and craft of the script supervisor, who ensures that the continuity of a film, its logical progression, is coherent. the book teaches all vital script supervising functions, including how to: .prepare, or "break down" a script for shooting .maintaining screen direction and progression .matching scenes and shots for editing .cuing actors .recording good takes and prints preparing time and log sheets for editing This revision of an industry classic has been updated to reflect changes in the film industry in recent years, including the use of electronic media in the script supervisor's tasks. While it is written for the novice script writer, it can serve as a valuable resource for directors, film editors, scriptwriters and cinematographers.

Table of Contents

Foreword	xiii	(2)
Vincent Sherman
Preface	xv	(4)
Acknowledgments	xix
1 Getting into the Act	1	(10)
Visit a Studio Lot and Movie Set	1	(1)
Inside a Sound Stage	2	(1)
Qualifications for the Job	2	(2)
Prerequisites	3	(1)
Requisites	3	(1)
Tools of the Trade	4	(1)
Film Continuity Is a Craft	5	(1)
Shooting Out of Continuity	6	(1)
What the Continuity Supervisor Oversees	7	(2)
Breaking Up the Master	8	(1)
The Editor's Bible	9	(1)
Continuity Supervisor/Entrepreneur	9	(1)
Continuity Supervising Is a Solo Act	10	(1)
2 Dealing with the Script	11	(32)
First Comes the Word	11	(6)
How to Read a Script	17	(2)
1. The Locale or Set	17	(1)
2. The Business or Action	18	(1)
3. The Dialogue	18	(1)
How to Break Down a Script	19	(9)
1. Master Scenes	20	(1)
2. Story Chronology/Time Breakdown	21	(1)
3. Time Elements/Day or Night	22	(1)
4. Names of Characters	22	(1)
5. Characters' Physical Distinctions	23	(1)
6. Overt Action	23	(1)
7. Props	23	(1)
8. Read the Script Again	24	(1)
9. Back-Matching Notes	24	(1)
10. Scene Count	25	(1)
11. Page Count	26	(1)
12. Master-Scene Page Count	26	(1)
13. Continuity Synopsis/One-Liner	27	(1)
14. Wardrobe Outline	27	(1)
15. Script Revisions	27	(1)
16. Special Forms	28	(1)
Sample Script Breakdown	28	(15)
3 Prior to Principal Photography	43	(10)
Preparation Time	43	(1)
The Production Meeting	43	(1)
The Shooting Schedule	44	(4)
The Call Sheet	48	(1)
Production Personnel	48	(5)
4 A Day on a Movie Set	53	(10)
Before the Camera Rolls	56	(1)
Rigging the Stage	56	(1)
The Setup	56	(1)
The Lineup	57	(1)
Blocking the Set	57	(3)
Camera Modes	58	(2)
The Walk-Through	60	(1)
Marking the Actors	60	(1)
Lighting with Stand-Ins	61	(1)
Activities while Waiting for the Set	61	(1)
Cuing Actors	62	(1)
Scene Reading	62	(1)
5 Camera Rehearsals	63	(8)
Rehearsals Prior to Filming	63	(1)
Wardrobe Notes during Rehearsal	64	(1)
Rehearsal Refinement	64	(1)
Prompting Actors	65	(1)
Timing the Rehearsals	65	(1)
Dress Rehearsal	66	(1)
Number the Speeches	66	(1)
Shot Description	66	(1)
Your Place at the Camera	67	(1)
The Video Monitor and Comtec	67	(4)
6 The Slating Syndrome	71	(14)
The Slate	71	(1)
The Smart Slate	72	(1)
Timecode	73	(2)
Methods of Slating	75	(1)
The Slating Process	75	(1)
Mis-slate	76	(1)
End Slate/Tail Sticks	76	(1)
The Take	77	(1)
The Running Pick-up	77	(1)
Out Takes	77	(1)
Retakes	78	(1)
Multiple Cameras	78	(1)
The Common Slate	79	(1)
Slating Auxiliary Scene Numbers	79	(1)
Alternate Numbering Method	80	(1)
Slating Extraneous Scenes	80	(1)
Slating Picture without Sound Track	81	(1)
Slating Wild Film Footage	82	(1)
Slating Wild Tracks for Picture	82	(1)
Slating Off-Camera (Off-Screen) Sounds	83	(1)
Slating Wild Sound	83	(1)
Slating Musical Productions	84	(1)
7 Getting the Scene on Film	85	(10)
First Shot of the Day	85	(3)
Watching the Performance	88	(1)
Copious Notes	88	(1)
Back Matching during Filming	88	(1)
"Cut ... Print"	89	(1)
"Cut ... No Print" (or "Cut ... Go Again")	89	(1)
Verify Prints	90	(1)
Who Calls "Cut"?	90	(1)
The Pick-Up Shot	91	(1)
The Bridge Shot	92	(1)
Multiple Prints	92	(1)
Alternative Shots	93	(2)
8 Timing Is of the Essence	95	(8)
Timing the Performance	95	(1)
Timing Telephone Conversations	96	(1)
Timing Traveling Shots	97	(1)
Timing Run-by Shots	98	(1)
Timing Fast and Slow Motion	98	(1)
Variable Speed Calculation	99	(1)
Time/Footage Conversion	100	(1)
Film/TV Synchronization	100	(1)
Continuity Supervising Is Continuous	100	(1)
Pretiming Scripts	101	(2)
9 "That's a Wrap!"	103	(10)
Company Move	103	(1)
Strike the Set	103	(1)
Keeping Track of the Daily Data	104	(3)
Wrap for the Day	107	(1)
Daily Progress Report	107	(2)
Dailies	109	(1)
Traditional Dailies for Feature Films	110	(1)
Introducing Telecine	110	(1)
Telecine for Features	110	(1)
Telecine Dailies for Television	111	(1)
Cleanup/Wrap Time	111	(2)
10 Continuity Script to the Editor	113	(20)
Continuity Notes to the Editor	113	(1)
The Left-Hand Script Page	114	(1)
The Right-Hand Script Page/The Lined Script	115	(1)
Life in the Computer Age	116	(1)
Final Lined Continuity Script	116	(14)
Production Stock Shots	130	(3)
11 Dynamics of the Camera	133	(24)
Eye of the Camera	133	(1)
Lenses	133	(2)
Screen (Camera) Direction	135	(1)
Inscribed Area	136	(1)
Imaginary Line/Action Axis/180(Degree) Rule	136	(1)
Crossing the Line	137	(3)
Progression	140	(14)
Clean Entrances and Exits	140	(2)
The Chasing Action	142	(2)
The Converging Action	144	(2)
Direct Reverse Progression	146	(2)
Establishing Geography	148	(1)
Doubtful Progression	148	(1)
Cross-Country Progression	148	(2)
Eyes-Following Progression	150	(1)
Entering from Off-Camera	150	(2)
Going through a Door	152	(2)
Jumps on Screen	154	(2)
Split Screen	156	(1)
12 The Concept of Coverage	157	(18)
Techniques of Coverage	157	(1)
The Purpose of Coverage	157	(1)
Shot Sizes	158	(1)
Covering Master Scenes	158	(2)
Correct Looks	158	(2)
Covering with Doubles	160	(1)
Covering Moving Shots	160	(8)
Covering Close-ups	168	(1)
Covering Off-Screen Overlaps	168	(1)
Covering Wrong Action	168	(4)
Beware the Mismatch	171	(1)
The Jump Cut	171	(1)
The Cutaway Shot	171	(1)
The Protection Shot	172	(1)
Cutting in the Camera	172	(1)
Shooting the Beginning and End of a Scene	173	(1)
Covering Alternative Master Shots	173	(1)
Intercutting Telephone Conversations	173	(1)
Reading Off-Camera Dialogue	174	(1)
13 The Mastery of Matching	175	(12)
Action Matching/The Match Cut	175	(1)
Actors and Matching	176	(1)
Matching Background	177	(1)
Precision Matching for Close-ups	177	(1)
Unnecessary Matching	178	(1)
Matching Running Shots	178	(1)
Match Dissolves	179	(1)
What and How to Observe	180	(7)
14 Second Unit Filming	187	(2)
Preparation	187	(1)
Shooting in Progress	187	(1)
Slating	188	(1)
Record Keeping	188	(1)
15 Filming for Television	189	(4)
Shooting Back-to-Back	189	(1)
Shooting Multiple Shows	190	(3)
16 Film Language	193	(20)
Industry Terminology	193	(20)
Appendix A: Abbreviations for Shot Descriptions	213	(2)
Appendix B: Conversions	215	(4)
Appendix C: Sample Forms	219	(10)
Index	229