Lana writes in:
Back in July I got extremely lucky. I was hired as a PA on a feature film and within a week found myself acting as the second assistant director (a combination of the production not having a lot of money and the 1st not being available until the third day of shooting and therefore the 2nd and myself [key PA at that point] moving up to cover). Then someone I met on that project offered me another 2nd AD job, and then another after that.
Ever since that third project (which happened in November) I’ve been having extreme difficulty finding a job. Any job. I’ve applied for PA positions, internships, 2nd AD gigs. Nothing. I was hoping having the 2nd AD experiences would help give me an edge when applying to PA positions (I took the “I know what ADs need in a PA” angle.) I’ve asked some people I’ve met on those shoots about jobs, without any luck.
I know competence and likability weren’t issues, so I just don’t know where to turn. I’ve exhausted every job website out there. I’ve even sent hand written letters to companies asking to work for them. Am I outdated because I don’t have anything “current” on my resume? I’ve literally done everything from painting walls to construction to ADing. I don’t mind grunt work (or long days, or low pay, or…). I would just like to get paid. (Though even landing unpaid positions has been impossible lately!) It just seems like every time I interview somewhere they always find someone who is one better than me.
First of all, anyone worried that they haven’t had a job in a month or two, take a breath. That’s normal. Especially if you take into account the holiday slowdown from late November through January.
Can a PA be Overqualified?
It’s not uncommon for low- or no-budget productions to compensate people with better titles than they might otherwise merit. This can be a blessing and a curse.
On the one hand, it’s a common way to climb the ladder–work for a couple years as a PA on big shows, get your days as a 1st or 2nd AD on indie productions, then join the union and land big shows with a spiffy new title (and higher pay).
But if, like Lana, this happens too early in your career, you’ll end up eliciting one of two reactions:
- You’re lying— why would an experienced AD apply for a PA job?
- You’re going to jump ship— if you are an experienced AD who’s just having trouble finding work, you’ll leave the show as soon as you find one that will hire you as an AD.
Neither of these are good. It’s a rare circumstance in which I’d suggest lying on your resume by downgrading yourself. Put these shows down as PA, or even Key PA, positions. You may alter that in the future, but right now, the concern is getting a job and paying your bills.
