Political Advice
I’ve written about politics in the past, but it’s been four years since the last big election, and many of my readers weren’t even of voting age at the time. Yesterday, the Supreme Court handed down a decision to strike down uphold the Affordable Healthcare Act. Of course, in an industry dominated by unions, only […]
Louisiana
I saw the best minds of my generation… take their shows to Louisiana. Okay, maybe that’s a slight exaggeration, but more and more, it seems like every show is filming in The Pelican State. As we speak, roughly thirty shows are in Louisiana. THIRTY! That includes Cataclysm, Ender’s Game, Django Unchained, and the Untitled Diablo […]
Production Yak
I’ve talked before about Coordinators 411, which – as you know – is a Google group that includes all of the production coordinators, APOCs, secretaries, and eager PAs working in Hollywood today. It’s a great resource when you need to find an animal trainer before tomorrow morning’s 7am call time or need to unload all […]
Job Postings on TAPA
I just received an interesting email from reader Ashley– Not sure if you do this sort of thing, but can I make a request to post a job on your site? I’m a personal assistant to a lit. film agent at a major agency, and since he just got me a reading job there, I […]
Hollywood: Land of a Thousand Promises
A few years ago, I directed a web series that got a little bit of heat with an amazing sizzle reel. We got a producer attached, and the sizzle reel found its way to Kevin Reilly, and he said, “This made me laugh out loud, and very few things make me laugh out loud.” I […]
Zero Experience
Katie writes: I am wondering what my resume should look like if I have absolutely ZERO experience in the entertainment/PA world. My background is in fashion, I have worked only in theatrical works (some stage managing). I really don’t want my resume to sink my ship. I’m a great ass-kisser and do-good-er, but can’t put […]
Boss Database
In honor of a movie I have absolutely no intention of seeing, I’d like to create a database of bosses. Similar to RateMyProfessors.com, without the cartoony graphics. Of course, the criteria for a good boss are different than for a good professor. (Except for hotness; we’ll leave that column.) Truth be told, I have a had time […]
When I grow up I wanna be…
When you first start working in the film industry you realize that it is, well, big. I mean crazy small REALLY big. It employs a lot of people (although never enough it seems…). The term “filmmaker” is kind of a misnomer; everyone who works here actually does something else that they happen to translate to the […]
What’s the Point of the UTA Joblist?
First off, there’s a new UTA Joblist on the TAPA site, dated 6/21 (thanks to the readers who sent me the new one). I don’t know why some people get the list earlier than others. If you ever happen to get a more up-to-date one than you see here, please send me a copy, so […]
We Don’t Need No Education
Commenting on yesterday’s post, Tom asked: Correct me if I am wrong but… Nobody cares if you have a college degree in the industry anyway. You are not wrong. Being a filmmaker, from the biggest producer to the lowliest PA, is not like being a doctor or engineer. If we screw up, nobody dies. You’ll just […]
Use What Ya Got
Edward writes: Recently, a new member of my family offered to introduce me to some people and help me get a job as a PA in L.A. (She works as a marketing executive for a major network.) Now, this sounds wonderful to me, but there are plenty of factors that make me think this must […]
Patience
Conventional wisdom that tells us a guy should wait three days before calling a girl when she gives you her number. “That’s great dating advice, Anonymous,” you say, “but what does that have to do with being a production assistant?” I’m glad you asked. I was at a networking event last night. Just drinks at a […]