Following Up or Pestering?
Reader Janice emailed this question: I’ve been a PA for three gigs now but never on a “visiting” set, where the main production happens in, say, NYC, and small portions are filmed in, say, DC. The PA from NYC called on Monday and said that I’d be working today through next Monday on a feature […]
Questions, Questions
In response to yesterday’s post, univoked asked if writers’ conferences could be helpful in finding an agent. Ugly Deaf Muslim Punk Gurl! replied: Writers’ conferences aren’t really for screenwriters, they’re for BOOK writers. So if you’re looking for a literary agent for a BOOK you’re writing, then you could go to a conference. Otherwise, don’t […]
How to Get an Agent
Chad replied to yesterday’s post: I read every entry of your blog last night starting from the very beginning in April. You’re hilarious! Wow, even I haven’t read every post. (You can tell by the poor speling and grammar,) I’m a fellow (aspiring) writer and had a quick question for you- how do I go […]
Sympathy
I’ve found a distinct lack of sympathy for my current joblessness. In the business, you’re in and out of work all the time. You get used to it pretty quickly. But when you’re friends and family hear that your show just got cancelled, you get barraged with, “Oh, I’m so sorry! Do you have another […]
Art Project
When you’re looking for a job, scanning Craig’s List is a constant source of both humor and horror. Case in point: Bondage Art Project (North Hollywood) Digital artist seeking female models for bondage art project. I need a few lovely models for a series of mock kidnapping photos/videos. Must be comfortable with being tied up, […]
Production Assistant Portfolio
Reader Drew commented on an old post, yesterday: I’m just starting to put together a resume for future jobs – I have two independent films under my belt – and for the examples I find, they have a portfolio section. What goes into a PA’s portfolio? Production photos of them? I think they just crammed […]
Starting from Scratch
Reader Alan writes: I’m enjoying your blog, got a question. How do I get in as a PA on a upcoming pilot or a show currently in production. I’ve been in the biz for a couple years now as an editor on the east coast, don’t have any contacts in LA. Kinda like starting from […]
Who Needs a Car?
Reader Jeff writes in: I’ve been interested in film for so long, however after graduating from college as an English/Film major, I still don’t really have a production skill I’ve mastered, so I think my best resort is to start out as a PA. Of course, I want to move out to California where all […]
Is “Guy” Gender Neutral?
I applied for a job last week. At the interview, they told me it came down to me and one other person. My prospective employer said they’d make their decision by Monday. On Tuesday, I called to see if they were still weighing their options, or if they went with the other guy. “The other […]
What Film School is Right for You?
How to decide between the hundreds of film schools in the world.
Who Wouldn’t Want to go to Film School?
Yesterday, I told you why going to film school is stupid and pointless. Today, I’ll explain why it can be smart and pointful. When I graduated from high school, I didn’t know any more about filmmaking than what I’d read in Entertainment Weekly. I knew there had to be a writer, and actors. I knew […]
Who Needs Film School?
Reader Sarah asks: I recently graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature, but am very interested in becoming involved with film production. Problem is: I live in Wisconsin. But am very close to Minneapolis, Minnesota. Not exactly the hub of film production. Anyway. The question is: where to start? Obviously, moving to L.A. seems […]