It’s Not What You Know, It’s Who You Know… And Also What You Know
You’ve all heard the phrase, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” The second part is true; the first part isn’t. Occasionally, yes, some no-talent, lazy, good-for-nothing jerk gets a job because of who they know. It doesn’t really happen all that often, though. The truth is, INWYKIWYK is more often a bitter […]
How Much is Too Much on a Resume?
Dylan writes in with two questions: I’ve read how you recommend listing out EVERY paying non-student film job you’ve ever worked on to start the ball rolling on the resume. But how many items realistically should make it? I see you recommend 1 page, so what is that, 15 jobs? 30? Secondly, my highest credit […]
A Very Uncomfortable Position
Jo writes in: I started working as a PA for a TV show about 2 weeks ago. My issue is that one of the Key PAs is getting promoted and the UPM told me that I would be replacing her. I’m confident enough that I will be able to work as at Key PA, but […]
What Is “Desk Experience”? And What Is “The Industry”?
Jeffrey asks: Let me start by saying that I believe there are such things as stupid questions. And this might be one… As someone totally new to the industry, can you tell me what is meant by “desk experience?” Is it simply carefully fielding phone calls and walk-ins so as to protect the precious time […]
What’s the Right Area Code for You?
Will writes in: I’m new to the area, and want to get a local number before I start sending out resumes for set PA positions. I’m wondering what area code is the best for a PA in the LA area to have. There are droves of internet articles out there about area code snobbery, and […]
I’m a Talent Assistant. Now, What?
An anonymous reader writes in: I am a personal assistant to a well known actress, and she’s bringing me onto a big-ish shoot with her for the first time in a few weeks. Before working for this actress, I worked in production for about 5 years, but I never paid any attention to the talent […]
Do As I Do, Not As I Say
An AD by the name of Jason Roberts recently commented on a post from a couple months ago: I would like to think that you didn’t actually call background artists “untalented actors”. Maybe I am misreading your sense of humor. Just in case it wasn’t in jest, I would like to point out how very […]
Many Kinds of PAs
First of all, what the hell, Warner Brothers? I feel like I can get onto the Universal lot with a smile and a jaunty doff of my cap. Anyway, moving on to the actual topic at hand. I received this tweet last week: @TheAnonymousPA Hi there, any chance you could do a blog about Post […]
What the Hell is a Drive-On?
John asks: Thanks for the resume tips! I sent it out, and the production coordinator for [show] called me the NEXT DAY!!!{{1}} {{2}} She told me they filmed at [studio lot], and then said, “I’ll call you a drive on.” What does that mean? All I can think is that it’s a slang term for […]
Some Animals Are More Equal Than Others – Comic
Continuing from the last comic…
I Didn’t Do That
Long ago, I wrote the best answer to any failure on your part is, “It won’t happen again.” More recently, I explained why “I didn’t know” is a problematic answer. But do you know what the worst answer is? “I didn’t do that.” If you really, truly did not do whatever went wrong, you have […]
Breaking and Entering (This Post Is Not What You Think)
No advice, today. Just a feel-good story about some folks who are just like you, trying to make it in the Industry. Here’s the trailer for Breaking and Entering, a web series about Hollywood assistants– For those of you not in the Industry (yet), these stories are 1,000% TRUE. This life can be frustrating at […]