Out of my depth in a Production Assistant role

[cheeseandachallenge]

Hey everyone,

So I saw a post on one of the filmmaking facebook pages I was on from a guy needing production assistants in a couple of days (that day is now tomorrow morning). Wanting to get some more on set experience, I thought why not and sent him an email.

I got a call from him this morning, and he explained the project. The whole project is quite confidential, but it turns out it's an occulus rift project (all I'm allowed to say), and the people involved are some pretty huge people in the local and national industry. And some pretty huge companies (national and international) are involved (I think I'll be able to explain this all in a few weeks if anyone is curious).

I made it clear I'm a student filmmaker, but the guy didn't seem too phased. It seems I'll be working under my own direction, mostly in regard set dressing (I did say it's not really my area, having only done it for my own films) - which seems really cool, but is also terrifying. I've only really worked on my own projects (as a writer/director/editor) with tiny teams, and a handful of other tiny crews, so I'm feeling really out of my depth.

Does anyone have any advice on how to survive? It seems like a really great opportunity, but I also don't want to make a bad impression of myself in front of some rather important and far more professional people. He also implied there was a chance for those involved to get a chance to experiment with some of the technology being used a wee bit down the line - though that felt like a slightly empty promise.

He asked me to bring "all the stuff I'd normally bring to set" - well I'm not a gaffer! I usually bring my camera, lenses, tripod and lights, which is not what they're going to what. What sort of stuff should I be bringing? I asked for a little clarity and he said "hammer, gaffer tape, etc" basically - also asked him to include a list of essentials in his email to me tonight. But I don't want to come unprepared.. any tips?


Sorry for a pretty frantic post, I'm a little overwhelmed.

 

[Zensteve]

he explained the project. The whole project is quite confidential, but it turns out it's an occulus rift project (all I'm allowed to say), and the people involved are some pretty huge people in the local and national industry. And some pretty huge companies (national and international) are involved (I think I'll be able to explain this all in a few weeks if anyone is curious).

You sure this is on the level?

Recruiting rookies at random off of FB, to work on an elaborate project, without explaining what you'll be doing just sounds... off.

implied there was a chance for those involved to get a chance to experiment with some of the technology being used a wee bit down the line - though that felt like a slightly empty promise.

You getting paid for this, at least?

 

[cheeseandachallenge]

The filmmaking page is the New Zealand filmmaking collective, so it's not quite that random - but yeah, parts do strike me as odd. I guess either way I'll find out tomorrow. The project isn't elaborate, it's a test scene that will be shown to said companies. It's mostly to test the new technology, I believe - a short is being made at a later date.

No it's not paid, it wasn't advertised as such, and I'm fine with that. But, if you followed the Hobbit controversy, you'll know it's pretty hard to get a fair deal as a lowly New Zealand crew member or actor.

I agree, parts of it seem off, but I'm fine to just go with it. At worst it's some guy running his mouth off a little (though I'm not sure why, it'd just be embarrassing for him) and I waste a day of my time. At best I'm involved in an interesting project with talented people. Either way it is getting some more on set experience.

 

[Will Vincent]

I wouldn't stress too much about it. You're getting involved to learn, so do whatever you're asked (as long as it's not dangerous), and do it as fast as you can. As a PA you're pretty much a gopher/workhorse/extra body. Jump in where needed and help.. whether that's moving props, helping move gear, or running to get coffee.

Bring a notepad and pen/pencil and take notes when time permits. Worst case scenario, you'll learn a lot about what not to do, and that's always good to learn

 

[cheeseandachallenge]

As a PA you're pretty much a gopher/workhorse/extra body. Jump in where needed and help.. whether that's moving props, helping move gear, or running to get coffee.

Yeah, figured this would be most of it, though I think he mostly wants me involved in the set dressing stuff.

Bring a notepad and pen/pencil and take notes when time permits. Worst case scenario, you'll learn a lot about what not to do, and that's always good to learn

Cheers Will. This is how i'm trying to approach it. He also said "bring what you normally would to set" - what sort of stuff would a PA/Gopher/Set designer normally have? I'll bring a hammer, a few flat heads, screwdrivers, L keys, go get some tape on my way to location. Annoyingly I don't have a pen knife, but I'll see if my flatmate has one when he gets home. Anything else I should bother with?

 

[Zensteve]

At worst it's some guy running his mouth off a little (though I'm not sure why, it'd just be embarrassing for him)

There's no shortage of delusional filmmakers running around, convinced they have the next big thing. Maybe one (in a million) will be right

Don't stress it. Sounds like it's someone trying to put together some demo fooatge/project to weasel into the Occulus world. Lots of peeps are pretty excited about VR. Have fun

 

[Will Vincent]

Anything else I should bother with?

Comfortable shoes, probably the single most important thing you can bring, next to a good attitude.

 

[Alcove Audio]

Anything else I should bother with?

Bring a pocket full of your business cards.

As has been said - work hard, work smart.

Keep your mouth shut and your eyes & ears open.



Make sure you go out with them after you wrap. You stay (relatively) sober. You'll want to remember what you hear.

 

[cheeseandachallenge]

Cheers everyone. Just had another talk to the guy, seems like we'll be making an early trip to the hardware store anyway, and all/most gear will be provided.

Relaxing a little more now. Thanks again everyone.

 

[Sweetie]

I know the type. There's lots of them in my area.

Don't be surprised if they have only a little more experience than you.

 

[cheeseandachallenge]

I know the type. There's lots of them in my area.

Don't be surprised if they have only a little more experience than you.

Turned out the dude in charge does have a fair bit of top level experience, though as a production designer, not a director. The rest of the crew were pretty green, and the shoot itself was really low key. The stuff said about the tech and industry side turns out to actually be true (I've signed non-disclosure agreements so I can't say a lot), but it's on the virtual reality and software dev side, rather than filmmaking. It's a local company who are doing some interesting and world first (though I think in a race with other companies, I didn't get to talk to them very much) stuff with the technology, who are basically creating a bunch of samples to show what it can do in *film,* in attempt to attract investors and sell to large studios. So the filmmaking side was actually pretty minimal, the tech is so new and limited at this time (there were literally other people writing code in the rooms next door as we shot) that there wasn't much we were actually doing as filmmakers.

An interesting opportunity and experience, but felt a lot less about filmmaking than it did a gear test. Still, they seem keen to involve local filmmakers, so I may try weasel my way in..