Because a script coordinator is frequently regarded as a junior television writer position, you’ll need good writing skills to get started. Not only must script coordinators ensure that everyone who is supposed to receive updated scripts actually does, but they must also ensure that the scripts are written correctly in terms of spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Having a good understanding of common industry software can help you advance your career as a script coordinator. While formal education and training are not required for TV script coordinator jobs, a thorough knowledge of the industry, with a focus on writing and production, is essential.
Taking courses from a reputable film and television school that offers industry internships may be a worthwhile choice, especially since it is usually easier to become a script coordinator if you have prior experience. This way, you can learn the fundamentals of television writing and production while also getting hands-on experience in a real studio. Making contacts in the industry in this way could lead to a permanent studio job. In order to make good contacts, you must be polite and efficient, with a learning attitude rather than a “know it all” attitude. Script coordinators are at the bottom of the TV production ladder and are usually expected to spend a lot of time updating scripts as well as running errands like getting lunches before being considered for a promotion to a writer position, regardless of how well they understand TV writing.
To become a script coordinator, you should improve your organizational, communication, and technical skills, as well as your writing mechanics. You’ll be expected to work around the writers’ and production team’s schedules by updating and distributing scripts on a timely basis. You should be able to demonstrate that you can efficiently prepare each updated script on a computer using standard industry software. You must be able to self-edit to ensure that there are no spelling, punctuation, or other errors, and that all script changes are clearly marked.
Another class to consider in film and television school is one in intellectual property or business law, as script coordinators are usually in charge of “clearance” of the material. In scriptwriting, clearance refers to the process of ensuring that the script is free of any legal issues. Before presenting the script to the studio’s legal department, the coordinator makes a note of anything noteworthy. If you want to work as a script coordinator, you’ll need to be able to switch between dealing with the writing, production, and legal departments on a regular basis.