Overheard in the Catering Line
I’m not certain, but I may have just witnessed the birth of the Revolution.
Overheard in the Catering Line
Gaffer: “The guys are complaining that they’re only getting ten hours, but when we’re working fourteen, sixteen hours, they’ll coplain then, too.” Best Boy: “Don’t worry about the crew… until they stop complaining.” This was accompanied by a meaningful look, to which the Gaffer nodded slyly. I’m not certain, but I may have just witnessed […]
Words, Words, Words
I don’t like music very much. This is a strange thing to say, but it’s true. I don’t get the notion of just listening. Which is unfortunate, because there’s not much else to do when you’re driving. I listen to NPR a lot, but it starts to remind me how pathetic my life is when […]
There’s Always Someone Below You
I went on a run today, to pick up something for the Big Awesome Show I work for. I went to the will-call window, and the guy’s eyes lit up. “You’re a PA on Big Awesome Show? How did you land that job?” I couldn’t really say. It was just a combination of experience, networking, […]
Game Show Casting
A few people responded to last week’s post about casting. One reader called himself “Max Powers.” Max writes: There is a large difference between game show casting and actual show casting. For a real show you have to find actors who fit into parts, coordinate their look if casting a family, make sure they fit […]
Reimbursement
As a PA, I try to be pleasant and accommodating. This used to extend to occasionally using my own credit card for production purposes, on the assumption that I would be reimbursed. No longer. I was on a show, a real show, with an actual budget. I was told to order sandwiches for the whole […]
No Pay
I received two different, but related, emails in the last few days. Matt writes: I’ve been combing Craigs List and Mandy.com for a while and I tend to notice that like, every single ad or call for a PA is indefinitely nonpaying. Is it as if there is some secret club you’re let into after […]
Casting Called Out
I asked an AD to look over my resume, and make some suggestions. He pointed to two listings for “Casting PA,” both on game shows. “Get rid of these” “Why?” “No one respects the casting department. They don’t do any work. It makes you look lazy.” Wow. The thing is, I knew he kinda had […]
Mail Bag
I haven’t kept up with the ol’ mail bag like I should’ve. Time to play catch up. Rob writes: You had mentioned that you walked into an interview and impressed them despite wearing a t-shirt and jeans and being unshaven. You got the job. Do you have any tips on how to ace an interview? […]
What’s in a Title? – II
It’s already a demeaning job; do we have to call them “extra,” too?
What’s in a Title?
Lyric writes: I am a new PA with big goals and I was called by a production company to be an Assistant Coordinator for a video game commercial. I am not too sure what the job entails but they know and I know that I can handle the workload. I wanted to know if you […]
And I’m Freeeeeee! Free-Lancing!
Analis asked recently: Once you get the low/no-budget film job and it ends, what do you do next? Should I assume that I made great connections and the next production I apply for will swoon upon my arrival? I wish. It’s true, after that first credit, landing that next job will be easier. But remember, […]