What The Art Of Continuity
Students Are Saying

What you knew before the class and what you know now?

I had some knowledge and some experience as a Script Supervisor, my knowledge was based mainly on Pat Miller's book and my own "test, error & correct" experience on short films that helped a lot and features where I now know I was way over my head. Even though Script Supervising is a lot about common sense, it is invaluable to have REAL guidance to understand what is important and what makes us excel and rise in the industry. I knew the very basics of Script Supervising before I started, but the devil is in the details and that is definitely one of the many things I have learned this far; presentation and effective communication is key. Our forms are our art and our presentation card.

Your thoughts on the Homework given

The homework sometimes feels long and tedious while actually doing it, but that way I actually retain the information, I have seen that happening on a lot of film sets, I have even gone back to it as reference while shooting.

How did you like it being online?

I believe is a bit of a double edged sword. On one hand is great given the freelancing essence of the job at hand, but as it is so flexible, sometimes is hard to have an organized schedule and balancing it with freelancing 15-hour shooting days and do the homework! (Seriously, Dawn: I don't know how you do it!)

What do you think about the teacher?

Dawn is a great teacher, she is very accesible even though her schedule is very very busy, and she is very effective at giving good useful feedback and helping me learn from my own mistakes in a very humble way.

What is your confidence level since so far?

When I first started I had no idea what I was doing and felt really lost, other departments usually have a more clear stepping ladder were you can look up and learn from watching more experienced people on set. Unfortunately it is rare to have this opportunity as a Script Supervisor, unless when you are working on big projects. Little thing like etiquette, how to approach a specific issue, diplomacy, etc. cannot be learned through text books. This course has given me a true insight of how to approach the job and changed my whole dynamic on set, I am definitely more confident with what I am doing, I feel in control and even enjoying more.

How do other industry professionals respond to you since taking the course

The feedback I get is better and better everyday. Even very experienced professionals are usually happy with my work and recommend me and call me back.

Anything else you may want to say

Even though it has taken me a long, long time to get this far through the course, I am truly very thankful for it. I do go over the workbook constantly while filming and I am more and more conscious of my forms and my work. I am probably not the best at time managing while I'm on a project (that's a next step!); and for 6 months I pretty much haven't stopped working as a Script Supervisor! And I do believe that without the course it would've never been possible, so thank you!

This class has definitely exceeded my expectations. It is organized very well into 13 different lessons that cover every aspect of script supervising. I feel really confident about the forms I need to create and the knowledge needed in order to do my job perfectly. There is a lot of detailed technical information but also a lot of really great “real world” advice that prepares you for what will await you once you’re on set. I really appreciated the information in Lesson 13 that deals with the psychology of script supervising and the tips on interacting with the director and actors.

I have received training from different script supervisors in the past but I feel that Dawn’s strong and distinct voice is a great personal guide to me. I no longer feel insecure about certain forms or aspects of the job but feel that I have a strong base to work from. I was especially interested in making the transition to being a digital scrip supervisor and I no longer feel nervous it. Now I feel confident about how to do my job as a script supervisor and how to do it right. I want to be the best script supervisor for the job that I can be! And I am looking forward to referring to the workbook and re-watching the video lessons to help me in my work down the road.

There is a lot of homework – it is true. But I think that it has really helped me immerse myself into the material and especially the forms. Spending time on creating forms, really thinking about the function they serve and revising them, has made me very comfortable with them. I was unsure about correct camera angle definitions and creating the camera angle flashcards was invaluable to me. Also watching movies and creating daily editor logs for them was such a huge help and made me feel comfortable filling out the form. The tests are a great way to review all the material again and become comfortable with the terminology and definitions of terms. In addition, the homework, reviews, and tests will serve as great reference tool in the future and I will also be able to track my progress as a script supervisor.

I really like the online format of the course, which allows you to take it at your own pace – which is great if you’re working full time. It’s perfectly organized into the downloadable workbook and homework, video library and the monthly lecture. I especially love the video review of the homework – as well as the homework review in general. Dawn is so detailed and supportive. I don’t know how she does it all as a working script supervisor!

I would love to take any advanced classes offered and definitely a class on the FileMaker Pro software and Dawn’s database. I would also be interested in a class on script supervising for commercials.

Thank you, Dawn for being an amazing, patient, supportive teacher that is always available and wiling to help. You truly are a great mentor!

Karen R.

Do you feel the class has met your expectations?

This class has exceeded my expectations. lam not just saying that either. I had taken another class in Los Angeles several years ago and that was only over a weekend. Compared to that one, this was the crown jewel. The attention to detail is what I think I am most grateful for. Dawn could have skated by with this class being on line and not given as much as she has. The fact that she also continues to update and change the class taking ideas from the students and taking the time to make the class updated and currant is nothing short of amazing. How she works full time and still has time to give so much to the class is astounding.

Your thoughts on the Homework given:

The Homework is hard there is no getting around that. However, it makes you think and learn. Dawn keeps you accountable for knowing the work. The fact that she doesn't let you get away with "It's good enough" makes you really learn. I feel she really cares about each student knowing the details of this job. It would be easy for her to also let go with "good enough". That is not her way. I know in the end, it will make me a better SS and that it will make me proud when I can do as good a job as she does. 

The easy road is not the way to succeed. Hard work and doing it right works in the end. 

My only recommendation is that there not be so many capitalized words in the workbook. Although I understand the need for emphasis, it makes it a bit hard to read.

How did you like it being online:

Although I miss the interaction of being in a classroom, I like that it is online as my schedule sometimes is not accommodating to a fixed class. I like that I can work on it all day or pieces here and there. I have saved everything and really like that I can go over and over a lesson as always learn something new everytime I listen or re-read the workbook.

What do you think about the teacher?

Dawn is up front about her attitude towards teaching. Don't take personally her critiques. I feel this is what I have paid for. Someone to give me the straight skinny and does not pull punches because it might hurt someone's feelings. That is not the intent. Her intent is to make everyone the best they can be. How can you learn if the teacher is afraid of giving critiques? To me this puts a restriction on teaching. I am fighting with my teenagers teachers right now because they will not tell it straight. 

I think Dawn being direct also weeds out those who think this is going to be an easy way into the business. When they realize how dedicated you must be, I think maybe they give it another thought and try something else.

What is your confidence level since taking the course?

I did a student film before completing the last 2 lessons. Although I was good with the first half of the shoot, because I had not studied the last couple of chapters, I had a harder time. Now that I have gone over and re-read a lot of information, it will help me on the set at least to have the basics of what I need to do. The rest will come with experience.

Would you interested in an Advanced Course?

Absolutely. 

I look forward to the day when I can actually meet Dawn in person. I have been at this and talking to her for almost a year and I can't believe it's time to move to the next level. It will never be over as I believe this is going to be an ongoing learning experience. As long as Dawn has the patience to keep answering my questions, I will continue to utilize her knowledge. I have lived my life with continuous learning and after a slight slump; I am now ready to continue on with that part of my life. I hope to be as good a Script Supervisor as Dawn and make her glad she invested her time in me. On to the next adventure...

What I knew before versus what I know now after training under Dawn Gilliam.

After completing Film Studies at the university level, years ago, I’d been looking for a proper education on the role of the Script Supervisor. Given where I live, there really are no opportunities to study properly in a classroom setting. I just cobbled together bits of knowledge from Pat Miller’s book and pieced that together with bits of disjointed information from various chat groups, web sites, and DVD extras, hoping to somehow get a clear grasp of what the job entailed. I didn’t.

Although I did know the basics of script supervision, I had no idea what order to do things in, what was required of me throughout each production phase and what other departments would have expected of me. I now have the knowledge base and tools necessary to perform my duties properly and with the requisite level of professionalism that is required on productions big and small.

My thoughts on the homework given.

There was a lot of homework and it was of an appropriate level for the topics covered. I really enjoyed the whole learning process with this class. The homework revisions were very much welcomed. I loved the one-on-one feedback videos where we’d have our forms shown back to us while you critiqued our work. I loved learning how to make the production forms. All of the minute steps leading to full forms were broken down in fantastic exercises that helped us learn how each part related to the whole. Also, homework involving the filling out of our Editor’s Daily Logs, etc., while watching actual films, was great.

How did I like it being online?

TAOC’s live, web-based nature was crucial to my decision on enrolling. Being so far away from comprehensive courses in the field, the online structure facilitated my needs. If it wasn’t for this being offered online, I would still be in limbo, looking for education. I also love that we have access to previous classes and materials for review at our leisure.

What do I think of Dawn Gilliam as a teacher?

I am honored and humbled to have you as my mentor. You have been unwavering in your generosity and support for your students. You have always been available to answer any and all of our questions and concerns in a thorough manner. It is clear that you want us to have the best and most up-to-date information on the art of continuity. I adore that you make no bones about having us come to you first, above getting our answers from other sources. It shows that you care enough about your craft to have it taught in a consistent manner that is directly from the source. Although your schedule as a working Script Supervisor is hectic, you still make the time for us and this class, which, to be honest, blows my mind. You are the best educator I have ever had. It has been an honor to study under you.

What is my confidence level since completing the course?Right from the first class, I felt my confidence level jump to a whole new level. I knew then that I went to the right person for training. Since completing The Art of Continuity, I feel like I can take on any production because I have the appropriate theoretical and practical foundation. I feel like I can walk on to a production and elevate the crew to a whole new level of professionalism, simply by repeating the lessons that I’ve learned from my mentor. I am a valuable contributor to the process, now. This is thanks to you, Dawn.

How do other industry professionals respond to me since taking the course?

They know that I have a solid education, having learned from the best in the business. I’ve often called this course the Harvard of Script Supervision courses.

Additional Notes

Dawn, There are not enough words in the English language for me to express my appreciation for all that you have done. If it wasn’t for this class, I would still be wondering if I’d ever learn how to do this crazy, beautiful job that I’d been researching for so many years.

I’ve taken this class very seriously. It is the true foundation for my skills and what I will be constantly referring to in the future when I have questions about the craft. I know that having you as a trainer and mentor has, and will continue, to better me not only professionally, but as a human being.

What I have learned from you will open doors for me to walk through with a confidence I didn’t think was ever possible. It’s with every part of my bursting heart that I thank-you. I will make each job an opportunity to represent you well.

Yours truly, Chris