Production Assistant

[Flicker Pictures]

I came across this ad on Craigslist:

Production Assistant Needed for Infomercial Shoot

Requirements: PA experience with managing crew schedules, craft services, talent release forms, calling testimonials' and scheduling call times, location scouting, calling for city permits or licenses', ordering honey wagons, running errands, shopping, making sure all props & necessary equipments, etc., are purchased/rented and in place the day of production.

Please submit resume. Interviews will be held this week. Salary to be determined.

Is it reasonable to expect one Prod Ass to manage all of these jobs? What would you be willing to pay someone for this gig? Just curious what you folks think.

I'd have second thoughts about handing this all over to one person. At a glance it seems like a lot to take on.

 

[Alcove Audio]

That's a bit much for a basic PA, although you'll have lots of competition for the job.

Here's a few PA job descriptions:

http://filmtvcareers.about.com/od/basics/p/CP_ProdAsst.htm

http://education-portal.com/articles/Job_Description_of_a_Film_Production_Assistant.html

http://www.media-match.com/usa/jobtypes/production-assistant-jobs-402756.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Production_assistant

 

[cameronchapman]

I've got a book about being a PA (thought it might have helpful info in it for someone who wants to produce/direct, but for the most part it didn't), and this seems about normal. Granted, on a larger production, there might be more than one PA handling this. About the only thing that seems a bit out of the norm is the prop and equipment rentals, unless it's just that they're verifying them and making sure everything shows up when it should, rather than coordinating the initial rental stuff.

 

[Gonzo_Entertainment]

They want a line producer at PA wage scale.

 

[directorik]

They want a line producer at PA wage scale.

And they will get 500 resumes and hire someone will to do all of that for $80/day.

 

[Gonzo_Entertainment]

And they will get 500 resumes and hire someone will to do all of that for $80/day.

I know, I've hired them, except my rate is $50 a day. Hate being a producer, but somebody has to do it.

 

[PaulGriffith]

I'm hoping it's not expected to actually do all of those things at once, hopefully it's more of wanting a group of people to say "hey you, go do this" and being able to get it done.

Still, since when has any PA called for permits or participated in "location scouting" and ordered prop rentals before the shoot. Sounds like a nightmare waiting to happen.

 

[Flicker Pictures]

There was a time long ago when I would have wanted this job so so badly. Then, had I been given the opportunity to prove myself, I would have failed so so miserably. My organizational skills ain't too good and I can't multitask for shit. Throw me to the wolves...

 

[Comikkaze]

Haha geez that's quite a list but a ton of people will line up for the job

 

[David.rhsc]

They want a line producer at PA wage scale.

Doesn't everyone these days?

And they will get 500 resumes and hire someone will to do all of that for $80/day.

Hell, they'd get 250 for the job if it was unpaid.

I know, I've hired them, except my rate is $50 a day. Hate being a producer, but somebody has to do it.

Not counting the 1 hour piece I worked on in college, my first feature job was as a Key PA for $50/day. 2 days into photography the producer bumped me to PC and doubled my rate.

My current gig as 1AC pays pretty crappy too. But them's the breaks in non-union features.

If I'm honest, I'm surprised there is a rate for the job at all. I see more unpaid PAs than I do paid ones sometimes, which is sad and just sucks for the person doing it and for the production as a whole.

Still, since when has any PA called for permits or participated in "location scouting" and ordered prop rentals before the shoot. Sounds like a nightmare waiting to happen.

Actually, your KPA should be on every Tech Scout once the locations have been chosen. That's probably not what they meant in the ad, but still - there it is. A good key will be suggesting how to route traffic, where to stage cars, where to stage facilities (if there are none available at the location), looking for bottlenecks, safety problems, and so on.

Never, ever, ever underestimate the value of an experienced and skilled Key PA.

Ordering props should be an Art thing, likely an Art PA making the phone calls and arranging the pick-up/returns. If they want creative input on props from the PA, well, that I'm not sure sure about. Maybe if they are the art dept's dedicated PA or something.