Celebrity Handling
Kendra asks: I was wondering if you have any advice on the right way to go about interacting with big name celebrities on set. Some people say to not talk to them and just be there for when you are needed, others say to treat them like a normal person so they feel comfortable around […]
I Didn’t Know I Didn’t Know
Every boss wants you to be proactive, to take care of things without checking with them every five minutes, to figure things out for yourself. Except, of course, when they don’t. Every once in awhile, I run into a situation like the following: the set PA called and said they needed a stand-by painter on […]
Walk, Don’t Run
When you’re on set, everything is urgent. Everything is needed now. Or, if they’re really in a hurry, right now. At least, that’s what it feels like, when you’re in the thick of it. You wanna get this shot before the sun goes down, before we lose the location, before the crew goes into overtime. […]
My Twenty What?
“What’s your twenty?” This is a question you will be asked frequently when you’re a set PA. If you don’t know what that means, you’ll be recognized as the greenest greenie who ever greened. Luckily, you read this blog, and I’ll tell you what it means! Your “twenty” is your location. It comes from CB […]
Calls Outside Work Hours
Working a twelve to sixteen hour job is bad enough. No one wants to be reminded of work during the few hours a day when they are both not at work and not asleep. But sometimes, you just have to call them. Maybe you need the UPM’s approval, or you need to tell a crew […]
Reading Material
I recently got a comment from Dawn Climie, who runs a blog called Don’t Shoot the Costumer. Naturally, I clicked her link, and found the blog an entertaining and engaging read. If you haven’t heard of her, you should check her out, too. It’s got great advice and fun stories, whether you’re interested in the […]
Some Animals Are Less Equal Than Others
What is about people not getting paid lately? An anonymous reader wrote in: I’ve heard it is common for independent films to not pay their PA’s, but is it weird if some PA’s are paid and others are not? When I started I was told that the film I am on is not paying their […]
No Flash Photography
As a general rule, don’t take pictures on set. Even if you’re not on Lost, the creators and studio execs, in agreement for once, probably don’t want you spoiling events/locations/casting new on your show. Still, the self-imposed surveillance state we all live in now means that everyone has a camera attached to their cell phone. Or […]
I’ll Be the BEST Intern Ever!
An anonymous reader writes: I’ve recently started working full-time as an “intern” for the president of production at a production company. I am the only intern in the office, making me an assistant really, rather than an intern. What makes me an intern is that I don’t get paid. I have given a commitment of […]
My Favorite! – Comic
This has happened more times than I care to admit.
How to Get Coordinator Contact Info (This Title Is Very Misleading)
Jackie writes in: Any advice on how best to get the contact info for a production coordinator of a specific show? Generally, it’s a know-someone-who-knows-someone kind of deal. Think about it. If you have something that a lot of people want (a job to offer), would you publicize your email? Coordinators would get millions of […]
Other Jobs
Sometimes you just have to take another job outside of production.