Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
•   Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Developing Objectives and Strategies Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
•   Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
•   Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
•   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Working Life

The work of a Script Supervisor involves breaking down the script and timing each shot and sequence. A Script Supervisor is responsible for the continuity of a film. It is a senior technical grade and there is generally only one Script Supervisor on a production.  
 
Appointment of Script Supervisor is by the Director - in some cases Production Manager. The work of a Script Supervisor would include one or two weeks pre-production work plus working throughout the shooting schedule. In most cases Script Supervisors contract would end on completion of the filming/shooting.  
 
The work of a Script Supervisor in pre-production includes, Timing Breakdown, Page Count (breakdown down the script into 1/8 pages), Scene Count, Synopsis of script, Continuity breakdown. When a production is being filmed (i.e. during the shooting schedule), the work of a Script Supervisor is divided into two parts; which are

• Observation

• Paperwork/Administration

 
Observation:  
Script Supervisors are responsible for making sure that what the film crew production unit shoots can be put together by the Editor in such a way as to ensure continuity of action. Although every department is responsible for its own continuity she/he is ultimately responsible for the continuity of: -Wardrobe, Make-Up, Props, Set Dressings, Eyelines of the cast (in conjunction with the Camera Operator), Action movement of artists/vehicles. Although camera set-ups is the concern of the Lighting Cameraman Script, Supervisors would check that each set-up matched those already shot.  
 
Paperwork/Administration:  
The Script Supervisor will see that the correct dialogue is spoken and would note any changes. He/She would time the action of each shot and be responsible for the overall screen time of the production. He/She would keep a record of each shot and scene with timings - written notes beside each take and a record of the technical details of each shot/scene. In other words she/he would keep a complete record of the production. A marked up script together with these details are sent daily to the Editor.  
 
The Script Supervisor is also the link between the film crew and the Production Office and on feature film production this is vital. She/he will pass on daily to the production office a Progress Report stating daily diary time of the Unit

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Write fiction or nonfiction prose, such as short stories, novels, biographies, articles, descriptive or critical analyses, and essays.
• Develop factors such as themes, plots, characterisations, psychological analyses, historical environments, action, and dialogue to create material.
• Prepare works in appropriate format for publication, and send them to publishers or producers.
• Revise written material to meet personal standards and to satisfy needs of clients, publishers, directors, or producers.
• Confer with clients, editors, publishers, or producers to discuss changes or revisions to written material.
• Choose subject matter and suitable form to express personal feelings and experiences or ideas, or to narrate stories or events.
• Conduct research to obtain factual information and authentic detail, using sources such as newspaper accounts, diaries, and interviews.
• Plan project arrangements or outlines, and organise material accordingly.
• Follow appropriate procedures to get copyrights for completed work.
• Attend book launches and publicity events, or conduct public readings.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

 Linguistic

The Linguistic's interests are usually focused on ideas and information exchange. They tend to like reading a lot, and enjoy discussion about what has been said. Some will want to write about their own ideas and may follow a path towards journalism, story writing or editing. Others will develop skills in other languages, perhaps finding work as a translator or interpreter. Most Linguistic types will enjoy the opportunity to teach or instruct people in a topic they are interested in.

The typical progression route is from trainee script supervisor to script supervisor. The qualifications required to become a trainee and to upgrade are governed by the film and television section of the services industrial professional technical union (SIPTU). The requirements for upgrading include work on a specified number of commercials, modern features/TV series and period features/TV series.

As is the case with most careers in the industry, on-the-job training and experience are most valuable but there are a number of courses available at different levels that train students in some relevant skills.

There are many pathways into screenwriting. These do not always involve education and qualifications. Courses and training will build on your experience and craft to develop in a highly networked occupation and sector. Writers may write alone, in teams, and liaise with the production process during development. Supervisors oversee the process of stories and their development.

There are a number of courses available countrywide in the field of television and film that will give the student a broad knowledge of the process of screenwriting.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: media production.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: creative digital media, TV, film studies, film production, media studies.

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Examples: Animator.

Search for Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: digital media, TV, film production, media, communication, arts, media studies.

Search for CAO Courses

Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).

Example search terms include: arts, media, creative digital media.

Search for Postgraduate Courses

Professional Development 

Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.

Screen skills work based learning programs training for production staff may be on-the-job. The company may organise short off-the-job courses for trainees.

IFTV Irish Film & Television Network for a list of TV/ Film production companies and career roles.

Careersinscreen

Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €17k - €100k

Nature of work makes estimating annual salaries difficult as income often isn't steady from month to month and will vary greatly from supervisor to supervisor. Salaries Vary by employer, location, role, duties, shift pattern, and experience.

Data Source(s):
Indeed.ie/ Payscale.com/ Glassdoor.ie/ IFTN/ DEASP

Last Updated: July, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Artists; Authors; writers; translators; Actors; entertainers; presenters; Dancers; choreographers; Musicians Arts officers; producers; directors; Photographers; audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators; Graphic designers Product; clothing and related designers.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment grew strongly between 2021 and 2022, with an additional 7,300 persons employed. As illustrated in the CSO Census data below, employment is spread across a number of roles; since 2016, the strongest growth, in absolute terms, was for graphic designers and authors, writers and translators.

New employment permits issued for this occupation in 2022 were primarily for film/TV and animation/visual effects (VFX) roles but also for linguistics experts in the ICT sector. There was also a high volume of recent job hires in line with the recent employment increase. The data does not point to overall issues with recruitment for these roles.

• Irish Film and Television Network

  • First Floor, Palmerstown Centre, Kennelsfort Road, Dublin 20
  • 01 905 3595
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• SIPTU (Arts Culture Print and Media Sector)

  • Liberty Hall, Dublin 1
  • (01) 8586300
  • Click Here