On live TV shows, their job is to keep everyone on the same schedule by taking information from all the departments and putting it into documents. It sounds simple, but with so many moving parts and changing schedules and meticulous details, it becomes an enormous job for just a few people.  Although every show has it’s own paperwork and specific needs scheduling-wise, lets talk about a typical live TV show. To put things into context, you can imagine a show like The X Factor. Normally the script department is in charge of creating these four documents: the script, rundown, schedule, and grids.

The script is the bible of the TV show; not only does it contain every word that the host of a show will speak, but it also has the timing of when commercial breaks happen, packages (pre-recorded clips with content about the show), intros, songs, exits, and other show elements. Everything is color coded, so when you flip through a script, you know blue pages have commercials, green pages have packages, and white pages have all other words and songs. Once in a while you see even more colored pages like yellow, pink, lavender, salmon, or grey. These pages mean that something has changed whether it was a few words the host says or a swap of contestants in the line-up of the show. Every time something changes, a page is issued and distributed by the script department, which is then collated into everyone’s personal scripts to keep them updated.

The show writers are in charge of delivering the words that the host will say, or anyone else that has scripted copy during the show. Then, the script department is in charge of organizing all of these elements into a script format, and keeping track of changes as well as maintaining everyone’s copies so they are up-to-date, and the show can run smoothly.

The rundown is another important document that has all the information in the script condensed so that it is a quicker read than flipping through a full script. Instead of the host’s words and songs written out, a rundown will have each act broken down into item numbers, with every element listed. It is much more efficient to flip through a rundown and see what song a certain contestant sings and when, than it is to turn every page of a script to find this answer. These are normally distributed on white paper, and then every time it changes, it is issued again on a new color.

The schedule is the master plan of every single day on set. This lays out what time people need to arrive, prep, rehearse, have lunch, and go live for a TV show. This document takes everyone’s schedules and needs from every department and puts it all onto one document harmoniously.  Usually a lot of time is spent on this because things always need to be flipped around, pushed later, or changed.

Then there are the grids. These can be any sort of information-heavy document that again makes it easier for people to get information quicker. Some shows will have a document that lists what each contestant will sing and in what order, what presenters are in each act, or whatever the elements of the show are – just so it’s easier for everyone on set to glance down and get an answer.

The script department also maintains the staff list, camera rundowns, quickie rundowns, and quickie grids, which are even more condensed. They also distribute to everyone on set, create binders for people to organize their paperwork, track changes and make sure everyone has them, and then keep on top of timing and other elements during a live show.

To explain what every script department does on every show would be impossible; it always changes to what the crew needs and what the show calls for. This is just an example of one type of show, but for the most part these are the type of documents you will see on a live TV set.

If you’re looking to get into “script”, the job calls for a meticulous mind and attention to detail, an exceptional understanding of Excel and Microsoft Word, and lastly a good attitude. A lot of time is spent conversing with producers, directors, casting, lighting, art, production, stage managers, and all the other departments on set. Overall, the script department will know just about everyone on set; and in my opinion, this is the best part of the job – getting to meet new people and have a laugh with the crew on set every day. Sounds like an excellent place to network, if you’re just starting out in the business, doesn’t it?

The above is a guest blog by Danielle Deffenbaugh. Danielle is an avid filmmaker that re-located to Los Angeles after finishing her degree in Film Production at San Francisco State and is currently happily working in variety TV. Danielle is still exploring a multitude of different jobs in both TV and film productions. Check out her other guest blogs here.

The following is a guest blog by Danielle Deffenbaugh. Danielle is an avid filmmaker that re-located to Los Angeles after finishing her degree in Film Production at San Francisco State and is currently happily working in variety TV.

Danielle is still exploring a multitude of different jobs in both TV and film productions.

Television vs Film: Which one is better to work in?

You’re fresh out of film school, a BA in Cinema under your belt, several independent student films on your resume and countless hours of PAing for your friends or productions when they come to town. You can load film into a Bolex in a pitch-black room in your sleep, set up a c-stand faster than you can say film noir, and recite every word from Citizen Kane backwards.

As you decide to move into the production world and start a career path towards your dream, there comes a fork in the road. For most people, you start working and therefore meeting people and making connections, and that’s how you end up working for one side or another. This divide is most blatantly between Television and Film.

In both facets of the entertainment industry, there are many more paths for you to choose. In Television, you could go into scripted, reality, variety, competition, game show… the list goes on. Film allows you to enter into features, independents, shorts, documentaries, etc. Aside from that, there’s animation, commercials, music videos, and more. Typically, you start working in one area, and that’s where you continue to get hired by the same people. Depending on the department you’re working in, there’s room to move around between different projects if you want. However, in most departments, a position title in film work can be completely different than in TV work.

An AD on a feature film is a drastically different job than an AD on a live TV show. When on a film set, the AD is responsible for scheduling, keeping the shoot moving along and on time, and the set in order among other things. On a live TV show, the AD works with the director to keep the show exactly on time, call out commercial breaks, and help oversee the cameras, again among many other things.

Another position on a film shoot, the script supervisor, is in charge of continuity; keeping every re-take of a shot the same, and making sure the eye-line between two characters matches. On some TV shows, however, the script supervisor is in charge of building scripts. Building a script entails creating an original document on word, and formatting it to look like a script the director will like. Page numbers, page colors, commercial pages, package pages, and music pages are all pieces to the puzzle that goes into a TV script. When looking at the difference between TV and Film production, the type of responsibilities and work that goes into most positions tend to be completely different.

If you’re just starting out in the business, my advice is to try out as many types of projects in production as you can. Even if you have your heart set on directing independent films, you never know if you’ll end up falling in love with directing a scripted TV show. I spent months trying out different types of production; I worked on an independent film, a major feature film, countless short films, a few commercials, a late-night TV show, a scripted TV show, and a live competition show. After all that, I finally decided I liked working in variety TV. Some shows are better than others, but now that I’ve decided this, I tend to only work in this area, and continue to get hired by the same people in that circle.

Some people swear film is better than TV, and vice versa. The beauty of this business though, is that there is something to fit everyone. Even if you find yourself on one side or the other, there’s a type of production to fit everyone’s lifestyle, whether you like the 9 to 5 job or the freelance life of working two weeks straight then two weeks off!

When you’re new to production, take the time to experience as many facets of this industry as you can. Even if you’ve been hustling in the industry for some time, and have always been curious if the grass is really greener on the other side of the production spectrum, take a chance to try out something new if you ever get the opportunity. It’s a crazy business we work in, but don’t be discouraged if you don’t like a certain job you have. Try something different, and see if you like it!