Use What Ya Got
Edward writes: Recently, a new member of my family offered to introduce me to some people and help me get a job as a PA in L.A. (She works as a marketing executive for a major network.) Now, this sounds wonderful to me, but there are plenty of factors that make me think this must […]
Business Cards
Jake writes: You mentioned business cards in your latest post, “I made a few connections, had nice conversations, exchanged business cards (I carry one purporting to be a writer; there’s no need for a PA to have a business card).” Back in October, an AD told me to get business cards stat, in order to look more professional and […]
Who Would Want To Be A PA? (Revisited)
It’s still a great place to start.
I Have a Better Idea!
Désirée (síc) commented on Friday’s post: I wonder, do not these pro copy guys some form of woe of silence? Or couldn’t you just have stood by him while he did the job, making sure he didn’t read or made 119 copies? It feels like it must have been much easier for you to miss […]
Non-Industry Experience
Anthony writes: Questions about getting a job. Graduated from film school in December and for the past three to four months I’ve been applying for PA crew jobs on television shows that are filming in Dallas but I havn’t heard back from any of them. I’m gonna interrupt you right there. If the emails you’ve […]
Bart Gets to Sit Up Front, Because He’s a Good Guy at Sports
Hey, remember when the Simpsons was good? Anyway. That’s what I thought of when I got an email from another Anonymous PA: Almost nobody I work with is a “real” fan of movies or TV. I read THR and Variety every morning, and a few other industry new sources so I can chat about things […]
Making an Ass Out of You and Umption
Yesterday, I told you to stop asking so many damn questions. Today, I’m going to tell you to ask questions. I like to mix it up like that. You see, sometimes the boss just isn’t clear. Take, for example, my boss. Yesterday, he asked me to gather all the information I could find about possums. […]
Figure It Out
Listen up, all of you who are trying to get your start in this business. This is the most important advice I will ever give you. In fact, it may well be the most important advice anyone ever gives you about Hollywood. FIGURE IT OUT FOR YOURSELF. I realize it’s oxymoronic to advise not asking […]
After Hours
I know an AC who refuses to go out with the crew after wrap. He told me, “I see these people all day, every day. Why would I want to spend more time with them?” Of course, he was dating his 2nd, so, there you go. Working on a TV show is exhausting (or boring). Most […]
Working Together
It is possible for the crew to get along.
Locations and Set PAs
In case you don’t read the comments, I thought it best to reprint Nathan’s comment on my previous post: Location Managers (and ALM’s) never hire the Set P.A.s. Anywhere. (I’m an East Coast Location Manager — trust me on this one.) Locations will hire Locations P.A.s, but their job is different from Set P.A.’s Example: Locations P.A.s don’t do […]
Addressing Multiple People
Chris writes: From what I’ve gathered while reading archives, an office PA job is something you work your way up to, after starting in the trenches as a set PA. Not really. I tease the set PAs, but we’re really in a parallel position. They’re not trying to work their way up into my job, […]