When Your Boss Gives You Work That’s Not Your Job
Samantha writes in: I work as an office PA, but cover also as a runner and as our Post PA too. I have a quick question to ask if I’m getting taken advantage of or not in my workload. Now, the question I have pertains to a Sr./ Co-EP Story Producer asking me to go […]
Do You NEED to be Good at Networking?
Nancy has a question about networking:{{1}} Thinking of switching from medical office work to office work in the film industry. From what I’ve been reading online (mostly from this site – you’ve been quite a valuable resource), it sounds like you only get jobs if the right people remember your name when jobs come up. […]
Does ‘Video Producer’ Experience Count for Anything?
Elsa writes in: I’m a long time TAPA reader, first time question asker. I’m a video producer for a media company with 2 years of experience. I’m trying to move into film production, but I’m having a hard time figuring out what roles I should be applying for. Does my experience with pitching/producing/directing/writing/editing videos for […]
Reading Material
I’ve been gearing up for the next TAPA Networking Event (Saturday, March 31st, mark your calendar!). We’ve got some guests lined up, including an Academy Award-nominated animation director. Names and location will be announced as soon as everything is finalized. In the meantime, I thought I’d share some stuff from around the internet that I’m […]
Want to be a Prepared Office PA?
First of all, let me just say I’m super annoyed that Disney is dropping “Be Prepared” from the Lion King remake. Anyway, on to the reader question: What kind of gear would an Office PA need? And what kind of gear would a Set PA need? I have been told once that an Office PA […]
Don’t Spend Your Own Money
It appears an old scam is circulating again. The gist is, someone offers a job to a PA (who is, presumably, fresh-faced and naive), which sounds great. Then, they say they’ll give you a check, which you’ll deposit into your bank account. You’re to take your pay from that check, and also make some sort of […]
How to Choose Your Credit
Larry writes in about choosing the proper credit: I just worked on a show as a PA and the director said I could have an AD credit instead if I wanted, because the crew was so small (6-7 people) that’s what I ended up actually doing. This is the second show where I’ve been hired […]
If You Wanna Make It, You Gotta Make Something
Today’s guest post comes from Richie Harrington, an awesome assistant, who’s also an aspiring writer/director. So, exactly like 95% of my audience. The only difference between him and you (possibly), is that he’s working to advance both goals. If you want to find out how, read on. Congrats! You finally landed that PA gig on […]
Should I Finish My Degree Or Just Go to Hollywood Now?
Tessa writes in: I’m currently studying Chemical Engineering in New Mexico and I really hate it. I no longer wish to pursue this degree even though I only have one and a half years left. I already know every career choice it opens for me, and I don’t want to do those things. My resume […]
Free Movies and Other Things You Didn’t Know
According to a recent poll of my readers, there seems to be a sections of the TAPA website you might not be aware of. Also, since most of you are into movies, I thought I’d give you some tips on how to get movies for free (at least if you’re in LA). Where the Jobs […]
6 Essential Traits Of A Production Assistant
Our friends at FilmToolKit wrote this inspiring post about working as PA. You should check out their site; there’s lot of great info. If you’ve read this blog for very long, you’ve probably realized that being a production assistant is not for everyone. Anyone can be hired, but in order to continue working in the […]
How to Order Pizza
Pizza is like sex– it’s best cold, first thing in the morning. Wait, that’s not how that saying goes… Anyway. No matter how big or small the budget, pizza is one of those things you’re going to find on any set eventually. Adequate Pizza is a go-to second meal because it’s cheap, readily available, and […]