First of all, if you haven’t read this Cracked article, you should. It is either the most inspiring or most depressing thing you will read all year.
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Shadya has a response to yesterday’s post, where I advised Alex not to just walk into a production office:
Yes, I would say to go to the production office and ask politely to speak to the P.A. Coord. Just state that you would like a p.a. Position and want to learn. Smile brightly say thank you and leave your name number. I have been working in this industry for 22 yrs. And it is the best way to get a job.
No judgements need be made, and I always love meeting people face to face. Best wishes and dream big.
This is not what I heard from several coordinators that I talked to on the subject, but it just goes to show that everyone’s different. Always take my advice with a grain of salt. I’m just a PA, after all; I don’t know everything.
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As usual, the Hollywood Juicer offers some perspective on life, in a post entitled “Perspective.” So, a little on the nose, but still.
Last week, he also ranted about state tax incentives. I’m actually ambivalent about this issue. On the one hand, yes, it means less jobs where I live.
On the other hand, isn’t competition good? We love the free market, after all. This just governments competing for customers on a price level. Sure, it affects the kinds of services the government can offer, but if they cut back too much, no one will want to buy their product at any price.
Coincidentally, Fresh Air did a piece on this very subject a few weeks back, called “Economic Development Or Corporate Welfare?” I think you can guess which side they fell on that dividing line.
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Lastly, the Black and Blue has a good post on what they call the “PA Paradox“–
The PA paradox arises when crew complain about the lack of effort from a production assistant one moment and then chide the same production assistant for being too eager later in the day.
Good stuff, and worth the read.
5 Responses
This blog is dead…unfortunate
I just wanted to say that I really loved you statement: “If a stranger walked into my show’s office and asked for a job, we’d politely turn them away. Then mock them for the rest of the day.” In theory, Shadya’s approach sounds great but it this NEVER works on jaded production office people. I worked on Twilight in Baton Rouge and if someone walk into our office, we would have though they were idiots, and then laughed at them the rest of the day.
On to your actual question– yes, include it. Every bit of experience helps. And don’t list yourself as “day player.” Just write “PA.” That’s what you were. No one ever said for how long.