I was just hired as a Production Assistant by a professional production crew and we start filming Monday. They havent really talked to me much but as this being my first real job on a professional film set, I kind of have no clue of whats going to happen, what they will expect of me, or if im making a big deal out of it when theres nothing to worry about. I was just wondering if anyone could let me know what Im going to be doing or what should be expected of me because i really want to be a badass production assistant for these guys because I have no idea why they hired me in the first place, everyone I talked to at the crew call had much more experience than me and had already graduated and had degrees. So I owe it to them to be the best PA I can be.
Any Pointers??
- Thread starter duder23
- Start date
Not sure how different a PA is for film and for TV. The only things I have to say come from things I've heard about TV PAing.
You're probably going to be the first and last on the set. You take your orders from the AD, and any PAs that may be above you. You do everything the AD asks you to. And they will ask you to do a lot. Paperwork stuff, distributing stuff, handling problems, rolls and cuts, etc. etc. Essentially, you are the "set bitch", pardon my French. while many of your tasks may seem aribtrary, PAs are pretty damn important to big productions. The most important thing, is that you cracked your way into the industry - entry level job or not!
How to be a kickass PA? Be tolerant. Be extremely patient. Take orders well. Take a load of weight off of the crew. Help out as much as possible. Make the experience as easy for everyone else as you can. Not sure how much leg room you'll have for extra initiative though. From what I've heard, PAs are worked to the bone.
You're probably going to be the first and last on the set. You take your orders from the AD, and any PAs that may be above you. You do everything the AD asks you to. And they will ask you to do a lot. Paperwork stuff, distributing stuff, handling problems, rolls and cuts, etc. etc. Essentially, you are the "set bitch", pardon my French. while many of your tasks may seem aribtrary, PAs are pretty damn important to big productions. The most important thing, is that you cracked your way into the industry - entry level job or not!
How to be a kickass PA? Be tolerant. Be extremely patient. Take orders well. Take a load of weight off of the crew. Help out as much as possible. Make the experience as easy for everyone else as you can. Not sure how much leg room you'll have for extra initiative though. From what I've heard, PAs are worked to the bone.
It's the lowest job on the totem-pole. 
Don't worry that you don't know what to do; you just do whatever you're assigned to, and that task(s) could change several times in the course of a few hours.
"Hey, we need these leaves swept off the set!"
"Hey, we need 10 sandbags right away!"
"Hey, drive down to Deli-X and pick up the sammiches for lunch! Don't forget the receipt!"
"Hey, you're now an extra! Go stand by that tree!"
The possibilities are endless.
The good news is, you'll get to meet other people and get a good look at what positions do what.
I volunteer about two times a year for it; it can also be a nice change of pace. If you're weird.
The only thing you really need to know is: Don't talk to the actors or director. Your AD (Assistant Director) is the guy/gal to keep an eye out for.
Have fun.
Don't worry that you don't know what to do; you just do whatever you're assigned to, and that task(s) could change several times in the course of a few hours.
"Hey, we need these leaves swept off the set!"
"Hey, we need 10 sandbags right away!"
"Hey, drive down to Deli-X and pick up the sammiches for lunch! Don't forget the receipt!"
"Hey, you're now an extra! Go stand by that tree!"
The possibilities are endless.
The good news is, you'll get to meet other people and get a good look at what positions do what.
I volunteer about two times a year for it; it can also be a nice change of pace. If you're weird.
The only thing you really need to know is: Don't talk to the actors or director. Your AD (Assistant Director) is the guy/gal to keep an eye out for.
Have fun.
thanks guys... those are both the exact answers i was looking for. But Im kind of worried though, cause they havent called me yet and the AD told me he was going to call me two days in a row now, we were emailing each other. but they still havent called or emailed me and were supposed to be filming tomorrow and i have no idea where the set is even or what time there starting.... either their way behind schedule and shits hitting the fan or they dont need me... ill email him back but im still pretty worried. i really want to do this and like you said it may be my crack into the industry.. ill let you guys know what happens
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Get on the horn to your AD right now. E-mail, too.
If your AD (or his assistant the 2nd AD, if any) have their stuff organised, they should be emailing everyone callsheets the night before. The callsheet will be a list of everyone, what days they are needed, what time, links to MapQuest (or similar) for location, phone-numbers, emails addresses, and a bunch of other stuff.
If you haven't got one, you've either been left off the main mailing list, or your AD is not organised.
Even if you're not needed this coming morning, you should still have received something - even if it's the callsheet for the week saying your first day is Thursday, for example.
Callsheets (during the length of the production) will often get changed and updated. It's not unusual to get a new one every night, that has been altered in some way. The updates may well come in late at night. There's no reason for a late-night mailing on the night before the very first day, though. That's the most important day of a shoot!
Good luck!
So you'll be working with the gaffer.. not bad for the first time out. Pay VERY good attention to what they're doing lighting-wise... Lighting is what makes a film look like a film. More than anything else.
Good luck, work hard, and remember to have fun!
Good luck, work hard, and remember to have fun!
Hah, awesome
You can get those cheap at Home Depot, or similar.
Buy a couple of Sharpies, as well. You'll need to mark some of your stuff. Use them to write your name on your gloves, and also on the water bottles and snack-cups that crafts provide. Nothing worse than a million owner-less bottles & cups floating over the set.
You can get those cheap at Home Depot, or similar.
Buy a couple of Sharpies, as well. You'll need to mark some of your stuff. Use them to write your name on your gloves, and also on the water bottles and snack-cups that crafts provide. Nothing worse than a million owner-less bottles & cups floating over the set.
Nothing but finding yellow M&M's in my trailer.Nothing worse than a million owner-less bottles & cups floating over the set.
yea im really excited about this and i already have gloves cause i worked construction up until october and i was pretty much the bitch boy for that job too.... i was like a PA doing construction work so im used to doing the shitty jobs that nobody wants to do. but i can tell its going to be fun and since the lighting is an important job that means i can make an even bigger impression on them so i can work my way up to something better.... at least getting paid (i havent brought up payment and they havent told me they were payiing me so im assuming there is no pay but thats the least important thing to me, i just want to get the experience and hopefully make a bunch of connections... ill let you guys know how the first day goes... PEACE!!
Basically, Production Assistant is another term for slave. You'll just be doing all the stuff no one else wants to do, and probably be under-appreciated often. I sincerely hope you are a very patient and tolerant person.
If you're actually into film, and want to be part of the 'industry', this is the place to start. I'm more of an independent person myself.
Unfortunately even the 'independent' section these days are into the massive budget productions. I consider the real indie filmmakers the people at home with prosumer equipment making movies on sub-thousand budgets.
Hope everything goes well for you!
If you're actually into film, and want to be part of the 'industry', this is the place to start. I'm more of an independent person myself.
Unfortunately even the 'independent' section these days are into the massive budget productions. I consider the real indie filmmakers the people at home with prosumer equipment making movies on sub-thousand budgets.
Hope everything goes well for you!
I was a PA once...
I’m going to give you the advice I learned early on. This has since become my work and success philosophy. And as you chart your film career, maybe this stuff is worth considering.
1. The person who fetches coffee today, will control the money tomorrow. So first, make sure the coffee is hot. Second, treat everyone well!
2. If the call time is 7AM, get there at 6:30AM.
3. If the work feels overwhelming, ask for more work. Busy people are rewarded.
4. Your word and your work is your reputation. Do not violate this rule. If you agree to do something, you do it. No excuses.
5. If you turn down freelance work, always say: “I’m already booked.” Don’t talk about vacations, etc.
And finally, make sure you figure out what you want to do. Write down your goals. Then try to PA in that department! If you do a good job, you'll probably get promoted and you'll be considered for additional work!
I’m going to give you the advice I learned early on. This has since become my work and success philosophy. And as you chart your film career, maybe this stuff is worth considering.
1. The person who fetches coffee today, will control the money tomorrow. So first, make sure the coffee is hot. Second, treat everyone well!
2. If the call time is 7AM, get there at 6:30AM.
3. If the work feels overwhelming, ask for more work. Busy people are rewarded.
4. Your word and your work is your reputation. Do not violate this rule. If you agree to do something, you do it. No excuses.
5. If you turn down freelance work, always say: “I’m already booked.” Don’t talk about vacations, etc.
And finally, make sure you figure out what you want to do. Write down your goals. Then try to PA in that department! If you do a good job, you'll probably get promoted and you'll be considered for additional work!
Just had my first experience on a small set today, just filmed a short comedy sketch maybe 5 mins. Was amazed at how long it actually takes to get a few mins of footage with setting up and lighting and many, many takes. Given me a newfound respect for acting, repeating the same lines over and over and just bursting into fits of laughter on cue.
I was quite happy to do any little jobs needed, wasn't much to do really being a very small shoot but it was great to observe what people are doing with lights and with the camera etc. I also got to do the clapper board!
Finishing the sketch tomorrow with some outdoor shooting, happy days
I was quite happy to do any little jobs needed, wasn't much to do really being a very small shoot but it was great to observe what people are doing with lights and with the camera etc. I also got to do the clapper board!
Finishing the sketch tomorrow with some outdoor shooting, happy days