Sally (Sam) Donovan is a Film Script Supervisor who works extensively in the TV and Film industry.  She recently worked with Ralph Fiennes and Keira Knightley while filming ‘The Duchess’.  Sam attended the Marist when it was still a boarding school and graduated in 1974.

What are your happiest memories of the Marist?
My overall experience was a positive and happy one but the friends I made were particularly special.  Some of my friends outside the Marist don’t seem to keep in touch with their school friends or have any desire to return and visit their school.  It seems a great shame to have spent so many years of your life somewhere and not have any desire to revisit shared memories.

How did you begin your career?
Having joined Granada TV (formerly LWT) as a Secretary/Junior Researcher in Current Affairs, I trained “in house” as a Production Assistant. I had to talk crews through shots from the studio gallery, count down to “On and Off Air” on live broadcasts, and speak to Presenters or Newsreaders through their earpiece whilst they read the autocue. A nerve wracking experience!  I then entered the Film Industry as a Freelance Script Supervisor, responsible for continuity.  I make sure mistakes are avoided whilst filming e.g. checking dialogue with actors, costume continuity, ensuring the weather matches previous shoots, levels of wine in a glass don’t vary and actors carry the same props in the same hands – there are so many potential pitfalls!

Who have you enjoyed meeting?
I am often asked who has been the most interesting person I have ever worked with.  The answer is Katherine Hepburn, who was a major Hollywood legend in her day.  I went to her house in New York to speak to her before we began filming.  I was told she awoke early and was instructed to arrive by 8.00am.  To my surprise, she not only answered the door herself but then cooked me breakfast.  As I sat there in her kitchen, totally in awe and trying hard not to stare , I remember thinking that this is probably about as cool as it gets.
 
What kind of production do you find most exciting and why?
That’s a difficult question to answer because all productions are different for various reasons.  Obviously it’s nice to be attached to a big budget movie because it’s financially rewarding and will hopefully be watched and enjoyed by millions.  But I also enjoy period films for television because of the beautiful locations we visit, the costumes and the props.  I enjoy action movies because of the stunts and the technology that we work with, i.e. computer generated effects.

What do you find most rewarding in your job?
The freelance aspect.  I can choose to work as and when I want and so far, have managed to avoid working during July/August so that I can spend the school holidays with my daughter.  I aim to work on two or three projects a year, so the work is varied and interesting.  I enjoy working with creative directors who have wonderful visions.  In the film industry, technology is constantly changing so you are always learning new ways to achieve things.   I think it keeps you young too!

What is a typical day for you?
No day is ever the same.   We can be filming in the centre of London one day and in the countryside the next.  Filming a major stunt explosion may be followed by a simple scene round a kitchen table with two actors.  Filming days are 11/12 hours long and very tiring, and night shoots last from 5pm until the light comes up.  To do my job properly, I need to ensure I know what we are shooting and to cover any matching/continuity issues beforehand so filming is not delayed.  By the time we have wrapped after a standard day, and I have driven home, it’s unlikely to be before 8.30pm when I walk through my front door.  My daughter then wants her time with me.  Forget any plans for a social life when you are filming!

What are the main challenges you are working on now?
We have just finished filming “Law and Order, UK” (currently being shown on Monday at 9pm).  It’s a new drama here but based on the long running, award winning, American series.  When a successful format is copied, all productions are open to criticism.  However, it’s a team effort and we all have different roles to play to make sure it does well.  As budget is tight we need to keep an eye on finances but also ensure the finished production looks sensational.  Our future work depends on it.   If it does well, perhaps we shall all be employed again on the next series!  

What is next?
At the end of March I begin filming the next series of “Spooks” which will be transmitted in the Autumn of 2009.  Hopefully, after that and with a little luck it will be another film – can you imagine having a job where you actually get paid to look into the eyes of George Clooney???