Some Animals Are More Equal Than Others – Comic
Continuing from the last comic…
I Didn’t Do That
Long ago, I wrote the best answer to any failure on your part is, “It won’t happen again.” More recently, I explained why “I didn’t know” is a problematic answer. But do you know what the worst answer is? “I didn’t do that.” If you really, truly did not do whatever went wrong, you have […]
Breaking and Entering (This Post Is Not What You Think)
No advice, today. Just a feel-good story about some folks who are just like you, trying to make it in the Industry. Here’s the trailer for Breaking and Entering, a web series about Hollywood assistants– For those of you not in the Industry (yet), these stories are 1,000% TRUE. This life can be frustrating at […]
Jury Duty
Adam writes in: I have jury duty coming up soon. How do you handle this as a PA that can’t really miss work – professionally and financially? Have you had to work around that yet? I know the feeling. If you’re on a show, the best course is to just tell your boss. No company […]
Don’t Be Dumb With Your Smartphone
Michael Taylor is an old curmudgeon, but at least he admits that he is a curmudgeon, cf. this week’s Blood Sweat, and Tedium. In it, he complains about the ubiquitous use of cell phones, not just on sets, but everywhere in modern society. While I don’t remember ever not having a computer in my home […]
Shoes
Gee, I’m getting a lot of set questions lately. J.G. writes in: I would also love suggestions for the types of shoes/sneakers that are most comfortable for those 14+ hour days on set? Are those custom shoe inserts worth the cost? Nothing is worse than coming home with throbbing feet every night! I’m not super […]
Extra Wrangling
Jay asks: I’m starting my first set PA job on a big-time scripted cable TV drama. I was just told that I’m the one who is going to oversee background (extras). I’m guessing I will be in charge of the non-union and SAG-AFTRA vouchers. What other duties should I expect, and what tips can other […]
Locking Up the Unlockable
Brett asks: What’s a good line to give someone during lock up and they’ve just asked what authority you have to keep them from walking into your shot? For the uninitiated (which is most of you; why else are you reading the blog?)– “lock up” is when you stand guard blocking some strategic pathway that […]