Crew West | Introduction to Script Coordinating for Film & Scripted Television

Crew West | Introduction to Script Coordinating for Film & Scripted Television

Course: Introduction to Script Coordinating for Film & Scripted Television
Date: Sat 17th & Sun 18th October
Duration: 2 days
Cost: Free
Venue: Online
Tutor: Katie Murphy

Course Profile

National Talent Academies Crew West presents a two-day practical introduction to Script Coordinating for Film & Scripted Television.

The Script Coordinator plays an important role in managing the flow of script information throughout a production, ensuring that writers, producers and key departments are working from the correct and most up-to-date version of the script.

This practical course will introduce participants to the responsibilities, workflows and technical skills involved in Script Coordinating, from managing drafts during prep through to revisions and amendments during production.

Participants will gain an understanding of how scripts move through a professional film or television production, how revisions are prepared and distributed, and how a Script Coordinator works with writers, producers, directors, production and other departments.

Using practical exercises and industry-style examples, participants will have the opportunity to work through the process of receiving script changes, preparing revisions and maintaining accurate version control.

The course will also explore the differences between the roles of Script Coordinator, Script Editor and Script Supervisor, and how each works within the wider production process.

Course Content

Topics covered will include:

• The role of the Script Coordinator within film and scripted television
• Where the Script Coordinator sits within the wider production structure and how the role interacts with key departments
• Understanding the journey of a script from development through prep, production and final delivery, including the preparation of As-Shot Scripts at the end of production
• Working with writers, directors, producers, showrunners, cast, casting teams and the production office
• Managing scripts and scenes during the casting process, including controlling what material is issued to individual cast members and when
• Managing sensitive or confidential story information, particularly where certain cast members may not yet be aware of future developments involving their character
• Understanding the relationship between the Script Coordinator and Script Editor, including how the roles differ and where responsibilities may occasionally overlap
• Understanding how the Script Coordinator role can evolve as a production moves from development and prep into the height of production
• Working alongside the Script Supervisor and Assistant Director department
• Managing the master production script and maintaining accurate script drafts throughout production
• Script version control and maintaining a clear and reliable script record
• Understanding revision conventions and coloured revision pages
• Page locks, scene numbering and managing changes once a script enters production
• Preparing and issuing script amendments
• Managing new, revised and omitted scenes
• Using Final Draft as the primary script-management tool for professional production
• Creating and maintaining script trackers, logs and other production documents
• Proofreading scripts and revisions for accuracy, consistency and formatting
• Formatting and checking scripts before they are circulated
• Script distribution and ensuring cast, crew and departments receive the correct material at the correct time
• Confidentiality, security and the controlled handling of scripts and sensitive story information
• Managing last-minute script changes during a fast-moving production
• Communicating script changes clearly and efficiently across departments
• Managing and tracking script clearances in collaboration with the production team
• Preparing scripts and associated documentation for final production delivery
• Common challenges a Script Coordinator may encounter and practical approaches to managing them
• Career pathways into Script Coordinating and opportunities for progression within scripted film and television production

Practical Exercises

Participants will work through practical examples designed to reflect the day-to-day workflow of a Script Coordinator, including:

• Reviewing and checking a draft script
• Setting up and maintaining a master production script
• Managing different versions of the same episode or screenplay
• Processing a series of writer, producer or production amendments
• Creating revised pages and revised sides
• Generating summary memos outlining script revisions
• Managing scene and page changes once a script has entered production
• Preparing a script revision for distribution
• Maintaining an accurate script revision log
• Identifying which cast members, departments and production personnel need to receive particular script information
• Considering how confidential or sensitive story information should be distributed
• Tracking script clearances and outstanding script-related actions

By the end of the course, participants should have a practical understanding of the day-to-day responsibilities of a Script Coordinator and the systems, communication and workflows required to confidently support a scripted film or television production from prep through production and delivery.

Participant Profile

This course is aimed at people with some existing experience of the film and television industry who are interested in developing the skills required to work in Script Coordinating and scripted production.

It may be particularly relevant to:

• Production Assistants and Production Coordinators
• Writers’ Assistants
• Development Assistants
• Script and development personnel
• Assistant Directors or production crew with strong script knowledge
• Production office personnel interested in moving into Script Coordinating
• Emerging crew who have worked on scripted productions and would like to develop a clearer career pathway within the script department

Participants should have a basic understanding of how a professional film or television production operates.

Experience using Final Draft would be useful but is not essential.

As this is an introductory professional course, priority may be given to applicants who can demonstrate relevant experience in production, development or script-based roles, alongside a clear interest in pursuing Script Coordinating professionally.

 

Application Procedure

Please apply online Here by 1pm on 9th October

 

Selection will be based on the quality of the application and industry experience relevant to the course and participant profile.

We do not accept CVs, so applicants should make sure to outline all relevant experience in the application form.

For technical difficulties with the online system please email crew.west@nationaltalentacademies.ie.

Film & TV Crew Academy West courses are open to all regardless of gender, race, religion, sexual orientation or disability.

Film & TV Crew Academy West is managed by Atlantic Academy and is an initiative of Screen Ireland.

 

Tutor Profile

Katie Murphy

 

Katie Murphy has worked in Film & TV Production for 12 years, across high-end film and television projects, with a particular focus on scripted production and writer-led environments. She was the Script Coordinator on MGM / Netflix’s Vikings:Valhalla for three seasons, working closely with mentor and Showrunner Jeb Stuart (Die Hard).

 

She was also Script Coordinator on Lionsgate’s The Rainmaker Season 1, based on the novel by John Grisham, and most recently worked as Script Editor on the upcoming Netflix / See-Saw TV Drama Grown Ups, working across all episodes with Showrunner Samantha Strauss (Apple Cider Vinegar) and Executive Producer Marian Keyes.

 

Through her work in script coordinating and script editing, Katie has developed extensive experience of the practical and creative demands of the script department during prep and production, from managing scripts, drafts and story materials to supporting the communication and workflow between writers, producers and production.

 

Her experience in these roles has also led naturally into her own writing career.

Last year she was one of eight screenwriting teams selected from across the EU to represent Ireland for the European Writers Club program Bridging Generations, co-creating a TV Series which is now in active development with Shinawil.

 

Katie is now developing a slate of film and television projects as a writer / creator. She is delighted to bring her industry experience back to the next generation of Script Coordinators through the NTA course.

 

Katie is represented by WGM Atlantic Talent Group, by agents Madeleine Cotter and Nicky Lovick.