Life on Set aka My Semester as a Script Supervisor

This past semester, I worked as a script supervisor on the Emmy* award-winning TV mini-series, CON. What does that mean? Well, for starters, walking around with my DSLR camera and an obnoxious yellow folder/polka-dot clipboard, and acting very important. Though I'm pretty sure everyone on a film/TV set does the latter. But if you're really interested in the deets of what a so-called scriptie does, here's the breakdown.

     

Takin' that BTS pic // Lookin' through my script and shot log (PC: Clara)

My tasks included the following:

• putting together the shooting script
• taking photos of the cast in wardrobe
• taking photos of the set
• making sure that there are no continuity errors between takes and scenes
• making sure the actors say their lines right and make note of any deviations from the script
• logging each and every shot -- by far the biggest task!
• taking notes for the editors for each take (e.g. if actors forget sound, there's an airplane in the background, or if there are resets)
• at the end of the day, typing everything up into a Google Doc
• at times, helping out PAs and the art department (we were a small crew)
• being an occasional extra
• and my bonus task: behind the scenes photography!

Yep, that's right, quite a lot, but that meant I got to interact with almost everybody on set! I got to know all of the directors and most of the DPs pretty well, and I was a core crew member, meaning that I was always there when filming (unlike PAs and pretty much everyone else apart from the director, the DP, the boom operator, the actors, and sometimes the G&Es), and since my job revolved around continuity, I didn't miss a single day on set! That's right, I was the only crew member who was on set every single day, and I was the only full-time script supervisor (to be fair, my friend Lauren substituted me when I took a couple of hours off to finish papers). 

Being a script supervisor is a tedious, not-so-creative task that has to be done meticulously and is extremely tiring, yet not so rewarding. It's a very behind-the-scenes job, in that it is only noticeable when you're doing it wrong, and a long list of continuity errors appears in the trivia section on IMDB. That said, if it's your first time on set, I would highly recommend doing it, as you get a way deeper insight into the way a film/TV show is shot than by doing something simpler, like being a production assistant, and it's a very well-rounded task, meaning that you get to know a little bit about every single job on set. Many people don't realize the importance of script supervisors, but if you yourself understand how vital your job is, and you do your job as well as you can, it can be a great springboard, and a wonderful experience. :)

If you want to know more about the show I worked on, CON, be sure to check out the website, contvshow.com. And you do want to know more, don't you? All the episodes are up there, as well as info about the absolutely amazing and perfect cast and crew, whom I have so much love for!

Meanwhile, check out a selection of my BTS photos (all BTS photos can be found here):

Filming with our young actors.

Gershon "G-Swag," one of our DPs, while filming on the beach.

Filming in a sketchy tunnel in the Arts District.

Some serious fake passport burning going on. 

Fake drug deals being made in one of USC's many sketchy alleys.

Dream sequences on foggy beaches.

Fun fact: That dress was waterproof, so they had to cut a hole for the blood.

Maria, one of our ADs, on the beach. 

Episode 2, aka the office heist.

The showdown aka our excuse to use fake guns and fake blood and fake cops

Filming the very last scene :(

Fighting on in a parking lot. // Taking pics by a sketchy alley. (PC: Clara)

#StyleOnSet with DP Gershon (aka why I always dressed fancy on set)

Our cast & crew at the premiere <3

*College Emmy

19 Things...

That's right everyone, it is that time of the year! Today is June 8, 2016, the day before June 9, 2016, which happens to be my 20th birthday. Crazy, isn't it? I'll no longer be able to vote at the Teen Choice Awards. Not that I had done so in the past five years, but -- y'know -- it was good to have the option.

Anyway, once again, like last year, I wrote a list of 19 things I did that happened to me at 19, this time in chronological order. And once again, like last year, I've decided to post it on this little blog of mine. So here goes nothing...

At 19, I...

1. High-fived Dan Smith from Bastille! 
2. Spoke at a nationally televised protest for my high school.
3. Got my own bank account (lol) #adultthings
4. Moved to Los Angeles, CA.
5. Started college at USC, as a Cinematic Arts major.
6. Joined the Silks section of the USC Trojan Marching Band.
7. Started taking Russian classes.
8. Went to my first (and hopefully last) college party, which was scary af.
9. Swam in the ocean.
10. Traveled to Chicago (and San Francisco and San Diego).
11. Performed in the ucla (sucks!) pre-game and halftime shows (with Slash!).
12. Started the One Second(ish) a Day project.
13. Saw my idol/favorite artist, Patti Smith, live.
14. Worked as a script supervisor (and BTS photographer) on the Emmy* award-winning TV series CON (and was the only person not to miss a single day on set!).
15. Was selected to be a Resident Assistant.
16. Was interviewed on the radio.
17. Went to Disneyland.
18. Presented my work at a research conference.
19. Made the Dean's List (twice!)

(BTW, posts about the second half of this list are in progress)

So yep, there you have it (OMG, I had those exact words last year and totally didn't remember). Pretty adventurous year, I must say. Although I slightly altered this list from the one I wrote down into my little notebook, because who really wants to read about heartbreaks and awkward elevator rides and former friends who drink wine out of Starbucks cups in Glendale coffee shops, but anyway, I digress-- Let's try again: although I slightly altered this list and replaced a few very personal details, it's a pretty comprehensive one, and I can confidently say that this was pretty much the first year when I didn't take forever to think of things I hadn't done before, and when I didn't need any filler points, because those are terrible and obvious.

BUT, to end this post on a more positive note, this year has hands down been one of the best, if not actually the best one of my life. I finally got to live the life I had been dreaming of and working towards for over five years, and I couldn't be more grateful. Wait what. Ugh melodrama, gotta up yer game, Layra. Tis not yer style. OK, I think this is a sign. A sign to stop writing. So bye. See you all when I'm 20. Farewell. Over and out. Seriously, though, see you soon, everyone! Thanks for sticking around and not leaving this blog a ghost town!

Also, here are some photos, so you guys don't strain your imagination too much:

  

(16) On the radio.                                       (17) Disneyland w/ MLA and SaRAh

(6) The Holiday Bowl Parade with the band.

(14) My Script Supervisor Name Tag

(15) My RA Selection Decision

(18) My Research Paper Abstract

(2) Not my best look, but hey, that's me! On TV! In defense of a good cause!

(13) Yes, I actually saw Patti Smith. It was all real. AND I ran into Fabi <3.

(10) Yours truly, in Chicago (feat. random kid who color coordinated his outfit with mine)

*College Emmy