Beyond Continuity: Script Supervision for the Modern Filmmaker

by Mary Cybulski

This book is a guide to the craft of script supervising. It will include both practical instruction and examples that explain the skills needed to work as a professional script supervisor. It will also contain stories from my many years on extraordinary film sets that will bring those examples to life.

The author will walk the reader through the process of becoming and working as a script supervisor. Included will be the basic skills such as how to breakdown a script, taking notes on set, matching, cheating, screen direction, and what the director, actors and editor expect from a script supervisor. The book will also include many of the more subtle but just as important skills, how to get a job, how to tell what is important in a script and on set, how to get along with the cast and crew, and how not to get overwhelmed when there is too much information to process.

Our basic job as script supervisors is to understand and record the most essential elements of the film. In the past, we were often looked upon as secretaries. Things have changed and now we are usually thought of more like executive assistants, true filmmakers, a director s backup and secret weapon. This change has come at the same time and in connection with a new film language. Post-modernist filmmaking is changing the grammar of the film and of course rules that we script supervisors used to champion. When it is no longer forbidden to cross the 180 line, our job is now to know what it means to cross the 180 line. Or to mix frame sizes, jump time or any of the poetic leaps that many of our contemporary filmmakers are now taking.

There hasn t been a how-to book about script supervising since this change has happened. This will be the first to address and explore the dynamics of this new filmmaking.
awesome key features here

Genres: Film, Nonfiction

282 pages, Paperback

First published June 15, 2013

Reviews

[Mike Degen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this while working as a script supervisor for a short film and honestly the book was of little help I learned almost entirely on set

[Carolin]

This was amazing. I can't decide if I'm totally terrified of trying this line of work now or inspired to become like this person. Maybe it would help to not work with directors like Charlie Kauffman, whose main theme in all movies seems to be "drive the script supervisor crazy" xD

[Daisy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quality Rating: Five Stars
Enjoyment Rating: Five Stars

Mary Cybulski's Beyond Continuity is for script supervisors what Judith Weston's Directing Actors is to directors. A practical, accessible and realistic written workshop of the craft, filled to the brim with examples, illustrations and diagrams, each perfectly designed and easy to understand. Cybulski's mastery and experience shine through in her organisation and articulation, as well as her clear desire to what to empower others with information. I've worked as a script supervisor, and I was still almost knocked over by the reminder of how much they have to keep on top of.

[Niko Secher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very comprehensive and and comprehensible guide to everything in the field of script supervising. My head is hurting, but that's likely because, like with everything, I need to actually do it to get better and probably f stuff up a bunch of times.

[Jep · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent help and currently my script supervisor bible.

[Millie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thankful that this book exists and that I can now have a clue as to what my job will fully entail

[Slavomíra Nemčíková · Rating 5 out of 5]

invaluable source of information to potential future script supervisors, directors and any head of department in film/tv production

[Aubrey Schwieger]

helpful

[Benjamin Hill · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm crazy.