WHAT DOES A PRODUCTION ASSISTANT DO? (In the Entertainment industry. What Does A What does a Production Assistant Do?)

WHAT DOES A PRODUCTION ASSISTANT DO? (In the Entertainment industry. What Does A What does a Production Assistant Do?)    

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What Does A Production Assistant Do?

The production assistant or PA position is an entry-level opening on a film or television set. The production assistant does just about anything and everything, from getting coffee to making script copies to shuttling crew or equipment around town as necessary.

A film's production assistant (PA) provides support to crews while a movie is being made. Some film PAs specialize in certain areas, such as art or wardrobe, and they may work on the set or behind the scenes. While this position does not require any formal education, PAs must be willing to work irregular hours, including early mornings, late evenings and weekends.

Film PAs who work in the art department may assist with building props and sets. They could also have administrative duties, such as light office work or running errands. Those who work in the costume and wardrobe department assist with labeling, collecting and organizing wardrobes. They may also be in charge of laundering and ironing.

Set PAs have numerous job duties--such as escorting actors and actresses to and from their trailers, helping with crowd control and lockup, giving out schedules or scripts, collecting paperwork, delivering film to various locations and managing extras. PAs in the transportation department may also be responsible for driving crewmembers and package pick-up and delivery.

Location PAs are in charge of creating and distributing maps, delivering contracts, film clean-up, photographing locations and putting up signs. Production office PAs duties include filing, answering phones and making photocopies.

A job as a production assistant is the unofficial training program of the film and television industry. It doesn’t matter if your true aspiration is to be a director, audio engineer, or make-up artist; working as a PA is where you learn firsthand about life on a professional set and make the contacts to launch your career.

Duties

There is no such thing as a typical day at the office for a production assistant. By nature, the PA is a flexible catchall person for any miscellaneous task. A production office PA will answer phones, make copies of scripts, run errands, and do any other administrative task the staff requires. A set PA will help the assistant director by corralling extras, directing traffic, and escorting actors to and from the set—or fetching snacks from the craft services table. There are also opportunities to work full-time at news stations like CNN or MSNBC, where the PA might log tapes, sort through press releases, and even Tweet about the next broadcast. A production assistant does not operate camera, lighting or audio equipment; instead, the PA will grab an apple box for the electrician to set a C-stand on, or help keep the set quiet while the boom operator records ambient noise. The PA’s job isn’t glamorous, but the experience of being on set or working in a production office is an invaluable tool to the individual who wants to advance in the film and television industry.

Skills & Education

This is an entry-level position, and as such there are few educational requirements. A college degree in film and television production is useful, but not necessary. For a gig as a PA, a film/television degree demonstrates to the person reading your résumé that you understand the process of production and have a basic skill level for working on set. Survivor or Transformers 3 will require more experience as a PA than a pilot for a new show or a music video; as you build skills, you can work your way up into larger productions. The most important skills a PA must have are attention to detail, a “get it done” work ethic, the ability to follow directions, and a willingness to take orders. You should be organized, polite, and know how to anticipate needs on set before they arise.

What to Expect

The truth is that the production assistant gets the tasks that no one else on set wants. It isn’t uncommon to empty trash cans or bring lunch to the second unit who is running over schedule on location. Yes, production assistants also get coffee, sparkling water, and Diet Cokes for the leading man. Work as a PA is like boot camp for the entertainment business. If you can do this job well, you have proven you have what it takes to move up the ladder. Be proactive; pass out bottles of water to the crew; be standing by with towels when the director calls “cut” on a pool scene. Going the extra mile to find tasks before you’re asked to do them will impress the people around you. Remember that there are always hundreds of people in line waiting to take your gig. Finding ways to help out and make the crew’s jobs easier will catapult you from nameless face to go-to person. The PA’s name that gets called out most often is the one who will be on the next shoot. A good attitude will get noticed, so be respectful and show that you want to be there.

After you have developed good relationships through your experience as a PA, this position can be a launching pad toward any mid-level position in film and television. Traditionally the next step up is as a production coordinator, but if your interests are in camera work or lighting, you can go after work as a camera assistant, electrician or grip. A good PA can also work toward entrance into the DGA (Director’s Guild of America) training program through recommendation by the production manager.

Sources, References & Credits: Google, Wikipedia, Wikihow, WikiBooks, Pinterest, IMDB, Linked In, Indie Wire, Film Making Stuff, Hiive, Film Daily, New York Film Academy, The Balance, The Numbers, Film Maker, TV Guide Magazine, Media Match, Quora, Creative Skill Set, Investopedia, Variety, No Film School, Daily Variety, The Film Agency, Best Sample Resume, How Stuff Works, Career Trend, Producer's Code of Credits, Truity, Production Hub, Producers Guild of America, Film Connection, Variety, Wolf Crow, Get In Media, Production Beast, Sony Pictures,

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