PA Rate… and Raises
I’ve talked before about PA rate in a blog post appropriately titled… “PA Rate.” Everything there still applies, but I wanted to talk for a moment about negotiating for a higher rate. On every PA interview I’ve been on, the coordinator will ask either “What’s your rate?” or “What did they pay you on your […]
See You on the Next One…
The standard “goodbye” on a film set or production office is “See you on the next one.” It’s not as harsh as goodbye. It’s a little more definitive than a simple see you later. It acknowledges that this is the life we’ve chosen, moving from job to job like itinerant circus performers. But let’s get […]
Parkinson’s Law of Wrap
On almost every show I’ve been on, someone has remarked during production that we’ve been allotted an ungodly amount of time for wrap. You’ll hear, “Can you believe the studio is giving us five weeks for wrap? What are we going to do with all that time?!” Or you might get, “I once had to […]
Production Yak
I’ve talked before about Coordinators 411, which – as you know – is a Google group that includes all of the production coordinators, APOCs, secretaries, and eager PAs working in Hollywood today. It’s a great resource when you need to find an animal trainer before tomorrow morning’s 7am call time or need to unload all […]
Whistle While You Work
Imagine a quaint little production office. UPM knows everybody by name, asks them about their weekend and their career ambitions. The Coordinator is keen on being fair when he doles out overtime and permission to wrap it up each evening. The kitchen is stocked with delicious, healthy food. The PAs hurry to and fro, whistling […]
You’re Fired
Shawn writes: Great “Goldilocks” blog entry and a fine job as always. How often is it that people get fired over such contradictions, especially for infractions like ordering too much food. (I mean, who doesn’t like leftovers?) In my experience, very few people actually get fired. That includes people who deserve to be fired. I […]
The Last PA
At the beginning of the show that I’m currently on, I wrote about the special role of the First PA – the first PA hired, the first PA to endear himself to the hearts and minds of the higher-ups. Now, as this show wraps up, I thought it wise to talk a little about the […]
Another Conversation I Have Nearly Every Day
This happens all the time. If this is you, please, do everyone a favor and stop it.
Waiting for Scripts
Sheila writes: I’m the third PA on [show]. When I started, it was great – I felt like I have a leg up by having a gig in the first place. Plus, we almost never shot nights, and I was only working about 10 hours a day. But… in the last few weeks, we started […]
Dream a Little Dream of… Production
Max writes: Do you ever get what I call PA dreams? What happens to me is that during weeks with particularly high levels of stress, I have reoccurring dreams in which I’m aware that it’s 3AM and yet also aware that my Coordinator or Production Manager wants me to get out of bed and bring […]
I Don’t Know Where I’m Going… Is That Okay?
L. writes: I’ve been PA’ing on sets for a while now and it’s gotten to the point where I have PM’s or producers asking me what area I want to PA in. Does it look bad if I’m not sure and just tell them wherever they need me? Or should I have a clear idea […]
Just Because It’s Free…
…doesn’t mean you have to eat it (ALL). I’ve gained twelve pounds on this show. Considering my size, that’s put me over the edge into the “overweight” territory. I’m not someone who obsesses over their weight, but the last thing I need is to be catching heat for being the tubby PA. The PA lifestyle […]