What Does a Script Coordinator Do? The BEST & SIMPLEST Breakdown

When we think about screenwriting we tend to think about the writer behind the work we eventually see on the screen. But what about all of the other important jobs we don’t see that help the script become successful? A lot of work goes on behind the scenes. And for burgeoning writers, it can be easy to lose sight of the hard graft that goes on to make films and TV shows come to life. One of these crucial job roles that often goes unrecognized is a script coordinator.

In this article, we’ll look at what goes into the job of a script coordinator. What are the fundamental responsibilities and how can you pursue this career path?

What is a Script Coordinator?

A script coordinator can have many different roles depending on the nature of the film or TV series they are working on. However, broadly speaking a script coordinator is responsible for the efficient production of each script.

The script coordinator is a liaison between the written script and the production; making sure everything is in order for an efficient and effective reading and execution of said script.

More often than not they’re on the front line in terms of receiving the script. And it will then be their job to get that script out to all the relevant departments. In this sense, they act as a lubricant between the writers and production roles.

• They also provide an essential checking role, making sure that everything is in order within the script in terms of formatting. This ranges from spelling and punctuation to following industry-standard screenplay format.
• They also may be in charge of highlighting any potential legal issues raised in the script. They will then have to resolve these issues before they’re set in stone.

The script coordinator is responsible, overall, for keeping track of the changes, notes and annotations made on the script as it makes its way through the various team members and stages of development. The script coordinator must filter everything and maintain a clear and up-to-date script. This, in the end, will facilitate a smooth and efficient production.