What does a script coordinator do?

What is a Script Coordinator?

A script coordinator is a key behind-the-scenes team member in television and film production, responsible for managing the organization and flow of scripts. They keep track of all script drafts, revisions, and formatting to ensure that every department—from the cast to production staff—has the correct and most updated version of the script. They often act as the communication bridge between the writers' room and the rest of the production team.

In addition to tracking changes, script coordinators proofread scripts for errors, maintain continuity across episodes, and sometimes help with research or legal clearances. While they don’t typically write scripts themselves, they play an essential role in helping the writing process run smoothly. It’s a great entry-level position for those interested in TV or film writing, offering a close-up view of how scripts evolve from first draft to final shoot.

What does a Script Coordinator do?

Duties and Responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities of a script coordinator involve managing the logistics and technical details of script handling throughout a production. Here are some of the key tasks:

• Script Management: Script coordinators track all drafts and revisions, making sure each version is correctly formatted, labeled, and distributed to the appropriate departments.
• Proofreading and Formatting: They check scripts for grammar, spelling, formatting consistency, and continuity, ensuring each document is clean and professional before it’s shared.
• Revision Tracking: Coordinators prepare and distribute colored revision pages, keeping accurate records of what changes were made and when, following standard industry practices.
• Communication Hub: They act as a liaison between the writers’ room and production teams, ensuring that updates are communicated clearly and on time.
• Research and Legal Review: Depending on the project, they may assist with research, verify facts, and ensure that content meets legal standards or clears any necessary rights.

Types of Script Coordinators
Within the television and film industry, script coordinators may specialize or function differently depending on the production type or workflow. Here are some distinctions:

• Television Script Coordinator: Typically works on episodic content. They manage multiple script revisions across a season, coordinate with a larger writers' room, and ensure consistency across episodes. This role often requires handling fast turnarounds and managing detailed continuity.
• Feature Film Script Coordinator: Focuses on a single, long-form script. They may work more closely with the screenwriter and director, track changes through development and production, and ensure the shooting script is accurate and fully cleared for production.
• Animation Script Coordinator: Supports the script process in animation studios, where scripts may go through additional phases of breakdown for voice acting, storyboarding, and timing. The coordinator often liaises with animators and storyboard artists alongside writers.
• Writers’ Room Script Coordinator: Sometimes, especially in large TV productions, there is a designated person in the writers’ room who combines script coordination with writers’ assistant duties—tracking ideas, outlining episodes, and integrating notes during development stages.

What is the workplace of a Script Coordinator like?

The workplace of a script coordinator is typically fast-paced and detail-oriented, often centered around a writers’ room, production office, or remote working environment. Script coordinators are closely tied to the writing and production process, meaning they work side-by-side with writers, producers, and sometimes legal or clearance departments. In television, they’re usually present throughout the season to manage multiple script drafts, revisions, and production needs. In film, they may work for the duration of a project, from development through shooting.

A large portion of their day is spent reviewing scripts, making edits, and formatting documents to industry standards using professional screenwriting software like Final Draft. They also create and distribute updated script drafts to everyone involved in production—from directors and actors to set designers and costume departments. Because timing is often tight, script coordinators need to be comfortable working under pressure and handling last-minute changes quickly and accurately.

The job may require long hours during peak production times, especially in television when episodes are on a strict schedule. While some script coordinators work on-site at production studios or networks, many also work remotely—particularly during pre-production or development phases. No matter the setting, the role demands excellent organization, communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple deadlines while maintaining accuracy across every version of the script.