How to fill in a script log: scene, shot, take, NG reasons and continuity

What the script supervisor is responsible for

The English Wikipedia article "Script supervisor" explains that the script supervisor (also called continuity) is responsible for continuity across the whole film, including dialogue and action, and for keeping wardrobe, props, set dressing, hair and makeup consistent from scene to scene. The script supervisor writes detailed notes on every take, and the editor uses these notes to cut the shots together in the order of the shooting script.

The article describes the script supervisor as the editor's and the writer's representative on set: the aim is footage that cuts together.

How to fill in each field

Scene: use the scene number from the script. If the script changes and scenes are added, use 12A, 12B and so on rather than renumbering.

Shot: the shot number within the scene. Use the same numbering as the shot list.

Take: which take of that shot. Every time you roll, the take goes up by one.

OK / NG / Keep: the article notes that the script supervisor records the director's verdict on each take: no good, hold (usable but not perfect) and print (a good take). Digital shoots have no prints to make, but marking which take the director wants matters just as much.

NG reason: one line is enough, for example "actor dropped a line", "traffic on sound", "focus pull late", "passer-by looking at camera". With the reason in front of them, the editor knows whether part of that take is still usable.

Duration and notes: the article says the script supervisor times each take with a stopwatch and notes the main actors' positions, direction of movement, key actions and the lens focal length.

Camera, card and timecode: on multi-camera shoots, the article notes that each camera is logged separately. Writing down A cam, B cam, card number and timecode makes finding footage in the edit much faster.

The slate has to match the script log

The English Wikipedia article "Clapperboard" explains that the slate shows the title, scene and the take about to be shot. The camera assistant reads the information aloud in front of the lens and then claps the board; the picture and sound of the clap let post-production line up the image with separately recorded sound.

The "Script supervisor" article also says the script supervisor checks with the camera assistant on the slate and with the sound recordist that each take's slate number matches on both picture and sound, and logs the sound roll number for each synced take, as well as MOS shots with no sound. One wrong number on the slate means the editor has to go through take by take, so it is worth checking every time the shot changes.

What to note for continuity

Most films are not shot in script order. The close-up and the wide of the same scene can be hours apart, and in between the actors have eaten, had makeup touched up and someone has moved the props. A practical approach is to take a reference photo before each scene rolls and write the details most likely to go wrong in the notes column:

• How much water is left in the glass, how far the cigarette has burned
• Which hand the actor holds things in, how many buttons on the jacket are done up
• Whether the door is open or closed, how far the curtains are drawn
• Which side of frame the actor enters and exits

The article also mentions the axis and eyelines: the script supervisor helps the director and DP keep to the axis so the audience is clear about who each character is looking at.

What to hand over after wrap

According to the article, each day the script supervisor sends the editing team that day's continuity notes and the lined script (a vertical line drawn on the script for each camera setup, marking where it starts and stops). On a short film, hand over at least the day's script log, and record the completed scenes in the wrap report.

Our script log lets you log scene, shot, take, OK or NG, the reason and notes on your phone. "Add a row" copies the scene and shot from the row above and adds one to the take number, and it tallies which takes are kept for each shot. Data stays in your phone's browser and you can keep logging with no internet connection; download the Excel backup before you change phones. You can also print a blank log and fill it in by hand.

Frequently asked questions

A shot had lots of takes. Do they all need logging?

Yes. Write the reason for the NG takes too; the editor sometimes borrows a reaction or a piece of sound from them.

Paper or phone?

It depends on the set. A phone makes tallying and sending to the editor easy; paper never runs out of battery. If you use a phone, download a backup at every wrap.

There is no dedicated script supervisor. Who fills it in?

The AD or a production assistant can double up, but keep the same person on it all day. Changing hands mid-day is when things get missed.

References

1. Wikipedia, Script supervisor: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Script_supervisor
2. Wikipedia, Clapperboard: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clapperboard

The pages above were accessed on 1 November 2026.

Published 1 November 2026.