Unemployment
David wrote in about a subject everyone in the industry can relate to. He was making small talk with a clerk at an oil change place, and mentioned that he was out of a job, momentarily– it’s no biggie since the production season is winding down anyway and that I should be able to pick […]
Who Hires Someone With No Experience?
Megan, who wrote in last week, has an interesting follow-up: You were right, I don’t have much experience. So far just one 3-day shoot for a low budget independent film and a few other things I did on my own while in school. Are there specific types of projects that are more likely to hire […]
Welcome to Los Angeles
Jeremiah writes: I’m moving to LA in 2 weeks to do the PA thing and possibly do some extras work with Central Casting (while I pursue writing and directing). I know, it is ill-advised to move out there right now but I’m doing it anyway. I was wondering if you could tell me your thoughts […]
Is PA Bootcamp Worth It?
A few days ago, Sophya asked if I’d heard of PA Bootcamp. I hadn’t, so she directed me to PABootcamp.com. I looked around their website and, to be perfectly honest, I’m not sure I see the point. It costs $285, but I tell you about most of the information in their course guide for free! […]
Think Positive
(Short post today, as I am busy in a casting session for a short film.) One particularly blustery day, the wind kept knocking over a reflector board, sitting atop a combo stand, sitting atop a high hill. The key grip sent a PA up to the top of said hill to hold the […]
Taking a Risk
Danny writes in: I have been interning for a distribution company for the past 2 years. Now that I am graduating, I am stuck between making the moves to become full time where I am, or moving on. My goal is to join the DGA ultimately, so I know that taking on as many PA […]
What Time of Year Do Shows Hire?
Linda asks: If a television production is nearly done shooting for the season, would this be considered a poor time to contact the production office to inquire about open positions for a production assistant? If so, when is the appropriate time to contact a television production office? Most shows are nearly done by now, if […]
A PA in Oregon
Megan asks: I’m living up in Oregon at the moment, trying to work out how get down to LA and really dive into the job hunt for a paying PA gig. Recently, however, it was announced that a cable TV show is relocating to Oregon and, from what I’ve heard, production is supposed to start […]
Can You Be a PA and a Student at the Same Time?
Reader Leah (I know she spells it with an “h,” but I’ve been told I don’t use enough pictures) writes: I’ve been corresponding with a producer at a big company in my city (Turner Broadcasting in Atlanta) regarding being a PA (a set PA, I believe). She said I could either be a volunteer for […]
Office PA Vs. Set PA
What is the difference between the two main types of production assistant?
Who Hires a PA?
Samantha writes: I’m a soon-to-be college grad, and I’m planning on moving out to LA this summer. I was wondering who it is I should be contacting to get a PA position? People have told me numerous positions like the AD and the UPM, but I don’t know who I really should be getting in […]
Touching Base
Reader Pamela writes: I was working on an awards show recently, hired as a recipient andpresenter wrangler, within one day bumped up to assistant stage manager for the recipient and presenters stage within one day. The executive producers and Stage manager praised me several times and said they would love to have me work for […]