CONTINUITY PERSON
The Continuity Person ("Script Girl"--there are some great
Script Girls, that's why I like to use this term!) is one of the most
important members of your crew. They need to be meticulous with detail.
The Continuity person keeps the director informed about how he's
doing!
You know if the dialogue "lines" are done correctly from
the Continuity Person. You know other things as well. Every element of
"continuity" is kept track of. The clothing, the screen direction
(movement of actors and action across the screen -- right to left, left
to right), and any peculiarity that once established on the screen must
be maintained in its logical place, form and movement in the story.
Simple elements are the often-quoted example of the ketchup on the
actor's shirt: is it on the left or right collar?
Other aspects of the Continuity Person's job, is a report at
the end of the day (some Script Girl's I've worked with present it
typewritten!) about how long every scene and take ran and how much
"screen time" (estimated running time of the scene as will be edited!)
was "in the can" (shot).
A great Continuity Person works with the director in making
sure that his or her vision is at all times in the forefront of every
consideration, regardless of the chaos and constant distractions
directors go through in their efforts of completing the shots that they
need to do every day.