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Chapter 1
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Introduction to me and the Course
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In this course, I'm going to take you through the Script Supervisor's process in Commercials, it differs in many ways from long form. I became good at my job through trial by fire. I really want you to know the lay of the land before you find yourself on a commercial set.
Testimonials
Selene is remarkable.
I first met her back in the early 80s on 2 different TV series when I was a DP and she was starting out as a Script Supervisor. She was a quick learner and an independent thinker. Her grasp of the nuances of directing often made me think about the potential of a person who sits so close to the creative centre of so many sets. She gets the coverage,she gets the actors and performance, she gets set politics, and she gets people.
When I worked with her again recently, I was directing. It all came flooding back. She is generous, insightful, and helpful in making sure things don’t slip through the cracks in the heat of the moment.
A director’s best friend.
Bravo to Selene for now wanting to help others learn.
Take her course, you won’t be disappointed.
I cut my teeth with Selene as my script supervisor. Now after 15 years of directing all over the world I have yet to work with anyone better. I’m primarily a commercial director but when I wrote my first feature and shot my first short film Selene was there adding her incredible expertise in long format. She broke down the script for me and aided in countless grants I received over the years for personal long format work. I cannot say enough great things about this calm, strong and talented woman with ceaseless energy.
Whenever I shoot in Toronto, Selene is my Script Supervisor. Period. Not simply because of her exceptional attention to detail, matching eye lines, coverage, etc. No, Selene is much more than that. She is my sounding board, my safety net, my creative barometer & the proverbial saver of my ass.
Whenever I’m struggling to block out a scene, Selene is there to offer suggestions. Whenever I’m wondering whether a particular take or delivery is or isn’t working, I look to Selene to see her reaction. It is no exaggeration when I say there are more times than I can remember when Selene has looked over to me and given me that subtle nod that not only said, "I knew you could do it", but perhaps more importantly, "you knew you could do it." It is that bit of confidence, production after production, that has not merely helped, but proven crucial when the clock was ticking on a jam-packed shoot day.
Beyond excelling as a respected Script Supervisor, Selene has the filmmaking acumen to work with Directors, Actors, Editors, and Producers to strive for the highest-quality production.
By bringing her along on your film journey, you and your actors will have a caring and creative traveling companion that sets her apart from the rest.
When directing, I turn to Selene for so much more than continuity. I turn to her for performance discussion, for story telling honesty, and to make sure the overall journey of each character is where we intend it to be according to our prep work.
Selene has saved me hours upon hours that would have otherwise been spent fixing issues in post… because of Selene and her work, I could spend that time honing the best version of the movie in post instead.
Selene has been in the industry for three decades, and I have known her since the earliest days of her career. I had the pleasure of working with her on Eclipse (my first feature film and her second) and on the TV series Traders).
She is a dedicated, hardworking team member that I relied on with confidence to collaborate on shot planning, actor blocking, camera coverage… all the things that help a director enormously. I could always trust her to do a stellar job, and to be a supportive, loyal and good-natured colleague.
I’ve had the privilege of working with Selene as a script supervisor for the entirety of my commercial career. Selene has always been mathematically precise and knowledgeable. She’s always an absolute pleasure to collaborate with and most importantly, learn from.
Having worked with Selene for many years, her film and VFX knowledge enables her to step in with great suggestions and be my smart sounding board in the production process. She has a sharp eye for detail and is a fast troubleshooter.
Selene was the Script Supervisor on a TV Movie and Miniseries that I Edited. She’s always available to keep communication flowing between set and the editing room. Her notes are detailed and extensive, and her lined script was easy to follow. She kept our editing room organized.