AI overview
The role of the script supervisor is evolving rapidly with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) in the film and television industry.
Script supervisors now find themselves working alongside sophisticated AI tools and assistants designed to automate many aspects of their traditional tasks.
AI is being used to track details such as actor movements, dialogue accuracy and even scene transitions, helping to streamline the production process.
This integration has the potential to reduce human error and increase efficiency, but it also poses challenges in terms of job security and the adaptation of traditional roles.
AI's capabilities are not limited to routine tasks. Advanced algorithms can analyse entire scripts, providing insights into character arcs, pacing and narrative structure, which can influence creative decisions during filming.
Script supervisors, therefore, need to enhance their technical skills to collaborate effectively with AI, learning to work with software that tracks and predicts on-set continuity issues.
While AI offers the potential to support and elevate the role, it also requires professionals to adapt to a more data-driven and tech-integrated environment.
In smaller productions it is likely that some of these roles will be combined with others, with AI tools supporting efficiency to allow individuals in a team to achieve more. But it is crucial to remember that people still value story-telling derived from real human emotion and narrative.
We are interested in how something is made as well as what it is. Maintaining a critical human understanding and overview of these processes is still essential.
AI is only able to work when the data is presented in the right format and understandable way. This data interpretation is a new role across the production team and script supervisors already have many of the skills needed to be effective and interpret this.
Collaborating with others in a fast moving, rapidly changing on set environment, and understanding and anticipating how things will change requires far more than a simple understanding of language and so these aspects of the role are becoming more important.
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How can I prepare for the future?
To prepare for the future, script supervisors should stay updated with emerging technologies that are reshaping the way continuity, scene tracking and script breakdowns are managed.
Learning the skills to supervise multiple AIs carrying out the repetitive tasks in the job and becoming an effective communicator and interpreter of the results with rapid and insightful data analytics will stand you in good stead.
It is also worth considering how you could start creating your own unique AI tool set based on your own knowledge and understanding, enabling you to achieve results faster and ensuring you stay an invaluable member of the production team.
Using ChatGPT (or other AIs) as a training resource - literally asking it how to do some of these things - can be a really useful starting point. Training opportunities through platforms like ScreenSkills, as well as industry-specific software tutorials, will be essential to stay current.
By developing skills and understanding in how to get the most out of AI based solutions through prompt engineering, quality data capture and labelling, you will be able to dramatically reduce the time taken to carry out many administrative tasks.
What AI tools can I use right now?
AI based script breakdown solutions leading to automated scheduling and budget management solutions are reducing preparation and planning times, but communicating and forseeing problems and challenges once a project is under way are far from being automated yet.
Moving away from directly analysing a script yourself and towards understanding how to get an AI to automatically produce the desired summaries, budgets and information are important steps.
Careful processing of the input data is a key component in successfully navigating these kinds of methods, but ultimately great efficiencies can be found. They also allow for fast iterations with simple updated changes to a script delivering almost real time insight to the potential budget and scheduling impacts.
More and more cloud based options are appearing with a variety of performance/results. These are improving rapidly, with many already providing very useful outputs.
Custom prompt engineering through ChatGPT and developing your own low cost workflows are also a viable option, but care is needed to double check the output.
AI-driven continuity tools: AI tools that track continuity in real-time, identifying potential errors in script, props, costumes and dialogue.
AI data support and labelling: For an AI to efficiently process large amounts of data it needs to be labelled and presented in an understandable way. Collating, checking and analysing this input data to ensure consistency and quality are crucial to successfully using AI efficiency tools.
Digital script breakdown software: Advanced tools for automating script breakdowns, allowing supervisors to generate detailed reports and schedules more efficiently.
Real-time collaboration platforms: Cloud-based platforms that allow script supervisors to share continuity notes, scene breakdowns and updates with teams instantly.
Virtual production tools: Systems that integrate script supervision with virtual sets, allowing for continuity checks and scene tracking in digital environments.
AI-assisted scene logging: AI-powered tools that help script supervisors log scenes, takes and preferred shots automatically, reducing manual entry.
ScreenSkills offers a variety of training opportunities for people at all stages of their career. Explore all training, events and opportunities.
ScreenSkills resources:
- Script supervisor job profile
- Script supervisor (unscripted) job profile
- Script supervisor skills checklist
Other resources:
- Software platforms like Final Draft and Movie Magic Scheduling offer tutorials in digital script breakdown
- Frame.io and other cloud-based systems provide tutorials on collaboration platforms
- Platforms like Unreal Engine provide free courses on virtual production
- StudioBinder and other bespoke AI software providers offer tutorials on AI-assisted scene logging